Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: Treatments, outlook, and more

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These two chambers hold the primary responsibility for pumping blood to both lungs and the rest of the body. Thus, weakened muscles that lead to stretched chambers can result in symptoms felt across the entire body. The primary treatment for ACM is complete abstinence from alcohol, which may require a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. Other treatments aim to treat the symptoms of ACM and prevent any disease complications. The primary treatment for ACM involves complete abstinence from alcohol or other drugs. However, some studies show that moderating alcohol consumption may lead to similar health outcomes.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

When your heart can’t pump blood efficiently, the lack of blood flow disrupts all your body’s major functions. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy (heart disease) caused by chronic alcohol consumption or long-term alcohol abuse. However, hypertensive heart disease is linked to long-term high blood pressure, while alcoholic cardiomyopathy is related to chronic alcohol use. A history of high blood pressure is common in hypertensive heart disease but not in alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Doctors can measure your blood pressure and check for left ventricular hypertrophy on an echocardiogram.

• A second set of studies that are quoted when addressing this topic are those conducted in individuals who started an alcohol withdrawal program21-24.
• If you drink heavily and have unexplained fatigue or shortness of breath that worsens over time, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor right away.
• Additionally, the accepted ACM definition does not take into account a patient’s sex or body mass index (BMI).
• As a point of reference, consuming 80 grams of alcohol daily for at least 5 years can significantly increase the risk of ACM.
• Patients may notice gradual improvements in heart function and symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue, though benefits may take several weeks to appear.
• For tens of years, the literature has documented many clinical cases or small series of patients who have undergone a full recovery of ejection fraction and a good clinical evolution after a period of complete alcoholic abstinence.
• When the heart is weakened by alcohol-induced damage, less oxygen-rich blood reaches the muscles and organs, leading to exhaustion and reduced energy levels.

Symptoms

• Patients can expect a gradual reduction in cholesterol levels, which may help slow heart disease progression.
• To diagnose alcoholic cardiomyopathy, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about your medical history.
• Most common age population for ACM is males from age with significant history of alcohol use for more than 10 years.
• The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing alcohol, and when damaged, the body is less able to process alcohol, leading to higher toxin levels that can affect the heart.
• Future studies in ACM should also address this topic, which has important economic consequences.

With the right treatment and therapy, it will begin to improve starting three months after changes are put in place. However, for severe cases, symptoms may not begin to alleviate until 12 or more months after the beginning of treatment. The first and most important recommendation from a doctor will likely be reducing or eliminating alcohol impact. Of course, that can be a difficult change to make especially when withdrawal symptoms enter the equation.

How should I change my diet if I have this condition?

Patients may experience improved heart alcoholism function and reduced fatigue and shortness of breath within a few weeks, though careful monitoring is needed to avoid toxicity. Patients may notice improved heart function and reduced swelling within a few weeks, though regular blood tests are required to monitor potassium levels and kidney function. Considering all the works conducted to date, it is clear that new studies on the natural history of ACM are needed, including patients treated with contemporary heart failure therapies. In light of the available data, new studies will help to clarify the current prognosis of ACM compared to DCM and to determine prognostic factors in ACM that might differ from known prognostic factors in DCM. The first study, which specifically focused on the amount of alcohol necessary to cause ACM, was conducted by Koide et al20 in 1975. The authors examined the prevalence of cardiomegaly by means of chest x-rays and related it to alcohol consumption among a consecutive series of Japanese males of working age.

These changes are related to both direct alcohol toxicity on cardiac cells and the indirect toxicity of major alcohol metabolites such as acetaldehyde. Most common age population for ACM is males from age with significant history of alcohol use for more than 10 years. Females constitute roughly 14 % of cases of alcohol induced cardiomyopathy however lifetime exposure required for women to develop alcohol induced cardiomyopathy is less compared to men.

In patients exhibiting chronic alcohol use, other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy need workup. Though they aren’t causes of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy, other lifestyle choices can make it worse. These include using recreational drugs (especially those that affect your heart, such as cocaine) and tobacco (which has major negative effects on your heart, lungs and circulatory system). Alcohol can have a toxic effect on many of your organs, such as the liver and heart. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is diagnosed when the heart muscle and surrounding blood vessels stop functioning correctly. Telemedicine offers a convenient way to manage alcoholic cardiomyopathy from home.

However, myocarditis is often preceded by viral infections or flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, or sore throat, which are not typical of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Myocarditis can also cause chest pain that mimics a heart attack, which is less common in alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Dizziness is reported in about 20-30% of patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy. It can occur when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the brain, leading to lightheadedness or a sensation of spinning. Dizziness may also be related to arrhythmias or low blood pressure, both common in patients with weakened heart function. In some cases, dizziness can lead to fainting, particularly during episodes of irregular heartbeat.

Making the Connection and Finding Treatment Options for Cardiomyopathy and Alcohol

The effect is much like how a rubber band or spring weakens when stretched too much. Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a relatively uncommon condition, occurring in about 1% to 2% of people alcoholic cardiomyopathy is especially dangerous because who consume more than the recommended amounts of alcohol. Patients can expect a gradual reduction in cholesterol levels, which may help slow heart disease progression.