Ischemic cardiomyopathy

Alternative names:

cardiomyopathy - ischemic

Symptoms:

• chest pain
  • experienced under the sternum
  • may radiate to the neck, jaw, back, shoulder, arm
  • may feel tight, pressure, crushing, squeezing
  • may or may not be relieved by rest or nitroglycerin

• sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• irregular or rapid pulse
• shortness of breath, especially with activity
• shortness of breath that occurs after lying down for a while
• cough
• fatigue, weakness, faintness
• decreased alertness or concentration
• decreased urine output
• excessive urination at night
• overall swelling
• breathing difficulty when lying down
• high blood pressure

Note: Symptoms are similar to left heart failure and ischemia (angina).

Signs and tests:

Examination may reveal an irregular heartbeat, and heart and lung sounds may be abnormal. There may be other signs of heart failure.

Decreased functioning and enlargement of the heart may show in these tests:

• coronary angiography
• echocardiogram
• chest X-ray
• chest CT scan
• MRI of chest

An ECG may show enlargement, old MI, ischemic changes, arrhythmias, or other abnormality.

A biopsy of the heart may be needed to rule out other disorders.

Lab tests may be used to rule out other disorders and to assess the condition of the heart:

• CBC
• coronary risk profile
• blood chemistries
• cardiac enzymes (CPK isoenzymes, LDH isoenzymes)