What type?

[jess9206]

I have a very mild carditis induced cardiomyopathy. I really don't have any symptoms, other than a little over a year ago I had a little heaviness feeling in my chest. I had an echo and an MRI, the cardiologist said that essentially I have a little scar tissue on the bottom of the heart muscle which has caused my global ejection rate to be between 45 and 50. Essentially she feels it is not anything to be overly concerned about and feels that I can just go on to lead a normal life without any impact on duration or quality. My blood pressure is low and always has been. I did not find out which specific cardiomyopathy it is and wondered if you would be able to suggest which you thought it could be? Everything else in my heart looks to be normal.

Thank you
Jessica

My echo did say:
Normal LV size with low normal systolic function. Mild lateral wall hypokinesis.

[kenkeith]

Mild lateral wall hypokinesis indicates there is some impairment of the wall movement that can effect the heart's pumping efficiency.  The normal ejection fraction (EF) is around 55 to 75% (the amounto f blood pumped into circulation with each heart beat).

Scar tissue usually represent a prior ischemic (lack of blood flow) event to the area described.  If the vessel providing blood the the specific area becomes occluded, that can be the cause.  It is possible there was a clot that diminished the blood flow to the area.  This could have happened without any symptoms and is medically referred to as a silent heart attack

Myocarditis is inflammation caused by by a bacteral infection or it can be inflammation from an unknown cause (ideopathic myocarditis)...drugs, medication, alcohol, etc. can be a source.

It is true you can have a normal life, etc. with some hypokinesis as the 45-50 efficiency is adequate especially if blood pressure is under control.  The heart doesn't have a heavy workload.  It has been estimated there about 26% of the heart problem population has an EF below 29% (heart failure range).  The bottom of the heart doesn't require wall movement that is significant in the contraction (pumping) process.