There are two types of heart disease with enlarged heart ventricles--dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the cavity is enlarged and the heart muscle is thin and weak. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle is abnormally thickened and its cells are disordered.
Heart Failure
The diseased heart becomes unable to pump blood properly. In heart failure, organs don't receive enough oxygenated blood and fluid accumulates in the body. Symptoms include fatigue; weakness; swelling of the legs; shortness of breath, especially when lying down; and difficulty thinking clearly. In severe heart failure, fluid accumulates in the abdomen, causing ascites. It also accumulates in the entire body, a condition known as anasarca. Physical exertion becomes increasingly difficult until the patient becomes bedridden.
Irregular Heart Rythym
Arrhythmias are common in both types of cardiomyopathy. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, they can be the presenting symptom. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," many patients have no symptoms--but the first symptom can be sudden cardiac death due to an arrhythmia. This often occurs in young athletes during or after exercise.
Blood Clots
Blood clots form when the heart doesn't contract properly and blood flow through the ventricles is abnormally slow. These clots, called a thrombus when they form, can break off. The dislodged blood clot, now called an embolus, travels through the arteries and blocks the flow of blood to organs. Clots in the right ventricle can lead to pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition in which the lungs are blocked and can't oxygenate the blood. Clots from the left ventricle can travel to the brain and kidneys, leading to strokes and kidney failure.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Cardiomyopathy
- AmericanHeart.Org: Cardiomyopathy
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th Edition"; Antoni Fauci (ed); 2008
