Cardiomyopathy may cause no symptoms at first, but when symptoms start, they can lead to heart failure. Other specific medical treatments may be recommended based on the ejection fraction (measurement of heart strength) and symptoms. Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart does not fill or pump blood effectively, resulting in symptoms like shortness of breath and exercise intolerance. From the data provided in the available ACM studies, it appears that patients who received an ACEI globally showed improved prognosis. In contrast, beta-blockers, similar to aldosterone inhibitors, however beneficial they may be, have thus far not yielded sufficient data on their efficacy in relation to this disease.
Outlook, Diagnosis & Treatment Options
In the mid-1960s, another unexpected heart failure epidemic among chronic, heavy beer drinkers occurred in two cities in the USA, in Quebec, Canada, and in Belgium. It was characterized by congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion, and an elevated hemoglobin concentration. Cobalt was used as a foam stabilizer by certain breweries in Canada and in the USA. As the syndrome could be attributed to the toxicity of this trace element, the additive was prohibited thereafter. The prognosis for a patient with alcoholic cardiomyopathy depends largely on whether they can abstain completely from alcohol, how long they have been drinking and whether there are any other contributing causes of heart disease.
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Additionally, moderate drinkers who experience poor nutrition or high stress levels may inadvertently weaken cardiac muscle resilience. Therefore, asking how does alcohol cause enlarged heart problems should consider personal context and not just average consumption levels. Apoptosis occurs mainly as a consequence of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in various body organs.
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
In 1893, Graham Steell, well known for the Graham Steell murmur due to pulmonary regurgitation in pulmonary hypertension or in mitral stenosis, reported 25 cases in whom he recognized alcoholism as one of the causes of muscle failure of the heart. In his 1906 textbook The Study of the Pulse, William MacKenzie described cases of heart failure attributed to alcohol and first used the term “alcoholic heart disease” 26. Yes, research indicates that women may develop alcoholic cardiomyopathy at lower levels of alcohol consumption compared to men. This heightened vulnerability is partly due to differences in body fat composition, alcohol dehydrogenase activity, and hormonal interactions with ethanol.
Why is early detection of laboratory findings important in alcoholic cardiomyopathy?
Distilled spirits, such as vodka, whiskey, rum, or tequila, are measured as 1.5 ounces (44 ml) per drink, with a typical ABV of around 40%. It is important to note that the size and strength of different alcoholic beverages can vary, so these definitions serve as general guidelines. It is always advisable to be mindful of individual tolerance and consume alcohol responsibly 4-6.
Is this condition only a chronic (long-term) problem?
Furthermore, Fernández-Solá et al30, when analysing a population of alcoholics, found a higher prevalence of DCM in alcoholics than among the general population. Specifically, among alcoholics they found a prevalence of DCM of 0.43% in women and 0.25% in men, whereas the described prevalence of DCM in the general population is drug addiction 0.03% to 0.05%18,19. Finally, it should be noted that McKenna and co-workers, in one of the most frequently cited papers in the ACM field, reported an incidence of 40% in 100 individuals suffering from idiopathic DCM, but in this case the consumption threshold used was only g/d8. When you call the number listed on this ad, your call will be answered by Treatment X, a licensed addiction treatment provider and paid advertiser on DetoxRehabs.net. All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
How to Know if You Might Have Heart Failure vs Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
During the 20th century, the physiopathological basis for ACM was progressively established 6. At present, ACM is defined as a dilated cardiomyopathy of toxic origin with low left-ventricle ejection fraction, chamber dilatation, and progression to congestive heart failure 18,52,53. Excessive EtOH consumption is one of the main causes of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP), representing around one-third of cases 30. Preventing alcoholic cardiomyopathy involves making informed choices about alcohol consumption and adopting healthier lifestyle practices. By taking proactive steps, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing this serious condition. Most individuals who stop drinking alcohol begin to feel better within three to six months.
Cardiac Effects of Alcohol
- Supplementation with thiamine and other B vitamins can be life-saving in some cases, particularly when Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome—a neurological complication of alcohol abuse—is a concern.
- As women typically have a lower BMI than men, a similar amount of alcohol would reach a woman’s heart after consuming smaller quantities of alcohol.
- Elevated biomarkers such as BNP and troponin levels provide critical insights into myocardial injury and dysfunction.
- People with heart failure often require diuretics, which remove salt and water from the body, to help manage fluid overload.
A healthcare provider can also connect you with available resources and refer you to other specialists and experts who can help you reduce or stop your alcohol intake. In severe cases, heart damage may be irreversible, and recovery can be challenging. Timely diagnosis and adherence to treatment can result in successful outcomes, with some recovery of heart function possible when alcohol consumption ceases 3.
This symptom occurs because lying down causes fluid to shift from the lower extremities to the lungs, worsening pulmonary congestion. Patients with orthopnea often need to sleep with their head elevated on pillows to alleviate alcoholic cardiomyopathy stages symptoms. This condition is a sign of advanced heart failure and should be taken seriously. Unexplained weight gain occurs in approximately 30-40% of patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
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