One drink is equal to 14 grams of pure alcohol, which can take many different forms because some forms have a higher concentration of alcohol than others. That weakens your heart muscle, keeping it from pumping as well as it should.
Support for AUD
Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if any of these symptoms are experienced, especially if there is a history of chronic alcohol consumption. Signs and symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are indistinguishable from those seen in other forms of cardiomyopathy. Additionally, chronic alcohol consumption can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, such as thiamine, magnesium, and selenium, which are important for the proper functioning of the heart. If your heart is severely damaged, your doctor may recommend an implantable defibrillator or pacemaker to help your heart work. Lab tests aren’t useful in diagnosing alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Call your doctor right away if you think you have alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
How Does Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy Occur?
However, studies have also shown that people who stop drinking alcohol have a significantly better prognosis than those who continue to drink. If left untreated, ACM can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, such as acetaldehyde and reactive oxygen species, in the heart muscle cells. However, multiple longitudinal studies have shown a paradoxical lowering of dilated cardiomyopathy with modest-to-moderate alcohol consumption.
Medications for Heart Failure
DCM happens with the left ventricle of the heart becomes enlarged—or “dilated”—which thins and weakens the muscle. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is the most common type. According to the American Heart Association, there are several different types of cardiomyopathy. Individuals who binge drink frequently over a long period of time or who have alcohol use disorder (AUD) may develop ACM. The study found that patients that were either mild or moderate drinkers were the least likely to develop HF as compared to patients that were abstinent.
It’s very important to stick with the treatment plan and to stop drinking alcohol during recovery. In cases where the damage to the heart is severe, the chances of complete recovery are low. Your doctor can help to prevent you from having symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Is this condition only a chronic (long-term) problem?
Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a relatively uncommon condition, occurring in about 1% to 2% of people who consume more than the recommended amounts of alcohol. The changes to your heart’s shape cause long-term damage, leading to heart failure and severe problems. Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a condition where your heart changes shape because of long-term heavy alcohol use. Additionally, healthcare professionals can monitor patients for signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy and provide early intervention if necessary.
However, with alcohol cessation and appropriate treatment, many patients stabilize and live for many years. Diagnosis is made through a combination of medical history, physical exam, blood tests, echocardiogram, and other imaging cocaine withdrawal and recovery studies, with careful assessment of alcohol use. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, leg swelling, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and reduced exercise tolerance. If diagnosed early and alcohol consumption stops completely, heart function can improve or even return to near normal. As a result, the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively is impaired, leading to a progressive decline in cardiac function.
This will make it easier for them to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. They’ll also listen to your lungs and heart to check for any abnormal sounds. You may also need some laboratory tests and X-rays. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask you about your medical history. This causes the heart to become thinned and enlarged.
ACM involves the enlargement of the heart’s left ventricle (LV), the chamber responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood around the body. It is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy since it involves dilation or enlargement of one of the heart’s chambers. Within six months of stopping alcohol use, you may notice an improvement in heart function and overall health.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is most common in men between the ages of 35 and 50, but the condition can affect women as well. This can lead to heart failure and other life-threatening health problems. When your heart can’t pump blood efficiently, the lack of blood flow disrupts all your body’s major functions. Cleveland Clinic can diagnose and treat heart failure of any kind, at any stage, with advanced therapies and compassionate care. If you are a heavy drinker, talking to a primary care provider can help keep this condition from becoming even more severe in the future, or even prevent it from happening. Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a condition that can have major impacts on your life over time.
Lifestyle Modifications
The most significant and well-established cause of ACM is prolonged, excessive intake of alcohol. However, emerging evidence highlights the role of genetics, drinking patterns, and other contributing factors. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is traditionally recognized as a form of dilated cardiomyopathy, but there are nuances in its clinical and pathological presentation. Palpitations and episodes of syncope (fainting) can occur as a result of electrical instability in the heart. Most individuals with ACM remain asymptomatic for years, even as subtle cardiac changes occur. Early identification of symptoms is essential for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
What causes this condition?
- Additionally, the weakened heart muscle may not be able to effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary edema.
- While it is not specific to any heart damage, elevations in troponin can often prompt a doctor to order further cardiac tests.
- Overall, the etiology of ACM is complex and involves various factors that can damage the heart muscle over time.
- Firstly, the doctor will ask the patient about their alcohol consumption habits, as well as any symptoms they may have experienced, such as shortness of breath or swelling in the legs.
Alternatively, a person can talk with a doctor about their drinking. According to the NIAAA, many people with AUD recover, although setbacks are common among those receiving treatment. However, some studies show that moderating alcohol consumption may lead to similar health outcomes.
This is where the heart has an increased need for oxygen that exceeds the body’s ability to supply it. Blood tests looking for the protein troponin can be helpful. Generally, various tests are necessary to find the underlying cause. A long history of alcohol misuse may likely result in a diagnosis of ACM.
- However, not everyone who chronically misuses alcohol will develop ACM.
- Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a condition that can have major impacts on your life over time.
- The diagnosis of alcoholic cardiomyopathy is typically made based on a combination of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is traditionally recognized as a form of dilated cardiomyopathy, but there are nuances in its clinical and pathological presentation.
- While alcohol abstinence is a significant factor in improving the prognosis of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy, there are other factors that also affect the patient`s outcome.
Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by chronic alcohol abuse. Men between 35 and 50 have a higher risk of developing alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy. Long-term alcohol abuse can damage your heart muscle over time. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy may not cause any symptoms until the disease becomes advanced. Your doctor may use echocardiography (EKG) to determine if there is mild or severe strain on your cardiac function.
Abstinence from alcohol is critical in the management of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy. These changes can help improve heart function and reduce the risk of complications. ACE inhibitors and ARBs help reduce the workload on the heart by dilating blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure, while beta-blockers help slow down the heart rate and decrease myocardial oxygen demand. They may also check for swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen, which can be a sign of fluid buildup caused by heart failure. A physical examination is an essential part of the diagnosis of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy.
However, as the condition progresses, they may experience symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, and swelling of the legs and ankles. Overall, the etiology of ACM is complex and involves various factors that can damage the heart muscle over time. The direct toxic effects of alcohol on the heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) are considered the primary cause of ACM.