Alcohol-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

FDA urges pet owners to work with their veterinarians, who may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to obtain the most appropriate dietary advice for their pet’s specific needs prior to making diet changes. Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of DCM (515 canine reports, 9 feline reports). Approximately 222 of these were reported between December 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019 (219 canine reports, 3 feline reports). Some of these reports involved more than one affected animal from the same household.

Overall, your healthcare provider is the best source of information and answers when it comes to your recovery. At Vertava Health, our treatment centers offer customizable treatment programs that include medical detox and behavioral therapy and other effective treatment services. This allows patients to reduce and stop their drinking in a safe and structured environment while receiving treatment for the core issues underlying their alcohol use. The most helpful form of treatment for people who are experiencing heart problems as a result of their drinking is an inpatient treatment program for alcohol use. When symptoms do occur, they are similar to those of congestive heart failure. If symptoms of heart problems (including ACM) do occur, it is essential to talk to your doctor or get help right away.

Cardiomyopathy, unspecified

Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy, especially when more severe, leads to deadly problems like heart attack, stroke or heart failure. Individuals with this condition who don’t stop drinking heavily are at the greatest risk. Between 40% to 80% of people who continue to drink heavily will not survive more than 10 years after receiving this diagnosis.

In some cases, especially those that are more severe, heart failure symptoms and related conditions may develop or get worse. Your healthcare provider is the best person to explain the risks and possible complications that you might face from this condition itself, related health concerns or any of the treatments that you will receive. Many medications can help in cases of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy, treating the symptoms that happen because of this condition. Medications typically include beta-blockers (for heart rhythm and blood pressure issues) and diuretics (to help your body get rid of excess fluid and swelling).

How is this condition treated, and can it be cured?

As animal lovers and pet owners, FDA employees understand that the sudden onset of a life-threatening disease in a previously healthy pet can be devastating. The FDA is incredibly grateful to those pet owners who have agreed to be interviewed and given permission alcoholic cardiomyopathy is especially dangerous because for their veterinarians to share medical records and diagnostic samples, including blood, serum and tissue. The agency is especially appreciative when pet owners make the difficult decision to provide tissues for analysis when a beloved pet passes away.

Many people know that long-term alcohol abuse can affect the liver and cause it to fail. However, other organs, including the heart, are also at risk when alcohol abuse is heavy and chronic. Alcohol consumption can lead to a heart condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which may progress to congestive heart failure if left untreated.

Who’s at Risk for Developing Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy?

It’s important to note that alcoholic cardiomyopathy may not cause any symptoms until the disease is more advanced. In addition, people who receive early treatment for ACM, including medication and lifestyle modifications, have a better chance of improving their heart function and overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines heavy alcohol use — also known as heavy drinking — as more than eight drinks per week for women and more than 15 drinks per week for men. 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. In patients exhibiting chronic alcohol use, other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy need workup.

Its aim is to improve quality of life and longevity, through better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, including the establishment of networks for its management, education and research. Asking heart failure patients about their alcohol habits is something cardiologist David Brown, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ MD, does every day. So he was surprised when one of them, an older man who always told Brown that he didn’t drink, was contradicted by his wife when she came along for his checkup. There is some evidence that moderate amounts of alcohol might help to slightly raise levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.