alcoholic cardiomyopathy

How and how hard is death from cardiomopathy?




do you die quick and painless or suffer a long, drawnout death?

[itsmeagainmargaret]

I really can't answer your question but what are the symptoms of this and what test are used to determine  this condition.

                                                Thanks

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Cardiomyopathy can indeed be due to alcoholism. The outlook depends on many factors such as the severity of the heart problem, type of cardiomyopathy ( dilated, restrictive, or hypertrophic),  and response to treatment. Take care and regards.

[Dr Santos]

There is usually a history of excessive alcohol intake. Symptoms of heart failure are most common and include shortness of breath with activity or after lying down for a while, swelling of feet and ankles, irregular or rapid pulse, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and even cough. These develop slowly over time. Treatment for alcoholic cardiomyopathy is stopping alcohol intake and treating the heart failure present.

[neil_a]

You asked:
How and how hard is death from cardiomopathy?

And I think that you are asking about alcoholic cardiomyopathy too !!!

I have Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy.  I was diagnosed with Alcohol Myopathy back in 1995.  I did not heed the warnings that it would reach my heart.  I am an alcoholic.  And you can learn more about Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy - at my page:

http://www.myspace.com/corneliusahern

I have dilated cardiomyopathy and that is what has put me at: CHF class III-IV, whose ejection fraction has been documented to be 10%-15%

I am dying every day but I'm not at end stage so I can't tell you - how hard is death.

*****************************

You also asked:
Do you die quick and painless or suffer a long, drawnout death?

It isn't so much that Cardiomyopathy would be the lead cause on a death certificate - but moreso - Heart Failure and I understand - one can experience a very quiet and comfortable death - experiencing Heart Failure.

I'm not afraid of it because I had Respiratory Failure and came back......so in my humble opinion - I'm not anticipating a lot of trauma - unless I'm drowning from my lungs.

[Carol767]

My brother died from alcoholic cardiomyopathy three years after being diagnosed.  I believe he was still drinking during those three years.  He lived a reclusive life in British Columbia while his relatives lived in Nova Scotia.  He died about two weeks after being admitted to the hospital.  

I requested his medical records from the hospital after I was diagnosed with CHF (four years later).  I do not drink, but there must be some sort of family history involved.  From what I read on his discharge summary, he died peacefully in his sleep during the night.  Hope that helps.

[gmachris518]

Congestive Heart Failure would be your biggest concern, I believe.  

With CHF, life is not fun.  The symptoms are ongoing and uncomfortable.  For me the worst symptom is the inabililty to breathe.

I've had swelling in my lower exterminities to the point of "leaking" from my pores in my lower legs.  I had that same swelling just move to the backs of my legs when I put my feet up, and as it progressed I had it affect up to my liver level....all very uncomfortable, but not as bad as when it went to my lungs and I was unable to take a breath.

Now that I have scared you, I want you to know there is treatment for the swelling.  It's diurectics, and blood pressure medication.  What your doctor gives you depends on what they are accustomed to using.  For me, I take Coreg 25 mgx2 per day, diltiazem 90 mg, 3x day, and lasix 120 mg per day.  My swelling is under control, and it helps a lot, but I'm still very, very tired and weak most of the time, which, of course they tell me is also from CHF.

My problems were caused by a virus, and I have wondered a lot, why they ask me if I drink alcohol everytime I'm hospitalized....now I know.....thanks for sharing.