The uptrend for admissions among Caucasian patients, increased from approximately 40% to near 60% between 2002 and 2014. Both African American and Hispanic patients also saw slight uptrend in the proportion of patients admitted, but the absolute percent increase by 2014 was much smaller in comparison. Our study has several limitations due to the administrative nature of the database and reliance on accuracy of coding.
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In addition to this, there is difficulty in actually making the diagnosis of AC itself clinically due to absence of specific diagnostic criteria and the need to rule out other causes of cardiomyopathy as well. However, looking into a big population database might be a good way to study such a difficult to diagnose disease process. We did not include 30‐day mortality in this study, only in‐patient mortality. We were unable to do any subgroup analysis especially to look into whether there is increased mortality among certain population subsets such as those with hypertension and coronary artery disease. We were also not able to further identify the ethnic minorities included under the “other” race category. Research shows that the prognosis for people with low or moderate consumption should be no different than those who do not drink alcohol at all.
Risk factors
Diastolic dysfunction is the earliest sign of ACM and is usually seen in approximately 30% of patients with a history of chronic alcohol abuse with no evidence of systolic dysfunction nor left ventricle hypertrophy. The postulated mechanism includes mitochondria damage, oxidative stress injury, apoptosis, modification of actin and myosin structure, and alteration of calcium homeostasis. Alcohol consumption causes an increase in mitochondrial fragmentation. Studies have shown an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in myocytes following alcohol consumption and thus causes oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA leading to cardiac dysfunction. These changes are related to both direct alcohol toxicity on cardiac cells and the indirect toxicity of major alcohol metabolites such as acetaldehyde.
- In cases where the damage to the heart is severe, the chances of complete recovery are low.
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy can present with signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure.
- Treatments need to be monitored and adjusted depending on the symptoms and progression of the disease.
- If there is severe damage to the heart, then the chances of complete recovery are low.
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy affects the heart’s ability to pump oxygen-rich blood around the body.
- Sadly, a large number of cases are diagnosed when the condition is severe.
National trends in hospitalizations and outcomes in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Sadly, a large number of cases are diagnosed when the condition is severe. Keep in mind that with proper medications and lifestyle adjustments, which includes no alcohol, symptoms can be somewhat controlled. Most doctors encourage widespread education when it comes to alcohol consumption. The belief is that educating the public before they succumb to alcohol abuse is the best preventative measure. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence to suggest that one specific type of alcohol over another can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy symptoms. Additionally, we can’t say for certain what mechanism cause cardiac damage.
At that point, the symptoms are often the result of heart failure. They commonly include fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling of the legs and feet. Often, when a doctor suspects cardiomyopathy, they will order an echocardiogram.
This test will assess the ejection fraction (EF), a measurement that expresses how much blood the LV pumps out with each contraction. Cardiomyopathy tends to show a reduced EF, usually alcoholic cardiomyopathy symptoms less than 40%. Once doctors have found this, they will look for the cause of the weakened heart.
- It is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy since it involves dilation or enlargement of one of the heart’s chambers.
- In addition to causing heart failure, cardiomyopathy can lead to heart valve problems, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death.
- With some causes, such as genetic mutations, cardiomyopathy may be inevitable.
- Other treatments aim to treat the symptoms of ACM and prevent any disease complications.
- This makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood efficiently.
- However, not everyone who chronically misuses alcohol will develop ACM.
When alcohol is consumed in large amounts, over time, it damages the heart muscle. When the heart can’t pump enough blood, it starts to expand to hold the extra blood. At some point, the heart muscle and blood vessels could stop working due to this type of strain. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is common in men between the ages of 35 and 50; however, make no mistake, it can also affect women. People who suffer from alcoholic cardiomyopathy usually have a long-term history of heavy drinking.