Whether referred to as "heart disease" or "cardiovascular disease," conditions of the heart are extremely dangerous. Heart disease is the No. 1 worldwide killer of men and women, according to MayoClinic.com. Among the many types of cardiovascular disease, myopathy refers to an abnormal enlargement of the heart. Although exercise is often recommended for patients with cardiomyopathy, certain safety guidelines are necessary.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy refers to a type of cardiovascular disease that causes enlargement of the heart muscle. Primary cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle cells are abnormal, typically as a result of gene mutation. Secondary cardiomyopathy occurs when an external factor, such as an infection or high blood pressure, damages the heart muscle. People with this heart disease often experience no symptoms during its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, lightheadedness, bloating in the abdomen and swelling in the legs and feet.
Types
As of 2010, three main categories of cardiomyopathy have been established. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form and it occurs when the chambers of the heart enlarge and stretch. As a result, the heart muscle weakens and can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle becomes extremely thick. As a result of this extra thickness, the heart becomes significantly less effective at pumping blood. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common type and it occurs when the heart muscle becomes stiff and rigid. When this occurs, blood flow into the heart's chambers is obstructed.
Exercise
Along with medications and surgical treatments, specific lifestyle changes are often recommended for patients with cardiomyopathy. In many cases, these patients may be asked to lose excess weight and/or lower blood pressure. One of the easiest ways to make these changes is to follow a moderate exercise routine. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that most patients with cardiomyopathy can handle aerobic exercises that are non-competitive, yet should avoid heavy weight lifting and most high-intensity sports. Before exercising, speak with your physician to develop a safe and appropriate exercise program for your specific condition.
Safety Guidelines
Even if your physician has cleared you for exercise, you should still pay close attention to your body throughout the entire exercise session. Use a heart rate monitor to stay within the heart rate zone recommended by your physician. If necessary to avoid fatigue or excessive heart rate, split a 30-minute exercise session into three 10-minute sessions. Stop exercising immediately if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, extremely fatigued, unable to catch your breath or unusual chest pain. If the symptoms persist, seek immediate medical attention.
Health Concerns
A heart diseased with cardiomyopathy has a difficult time pumping enough blood to meet the body's needs. Whether this is related to a stiff or weekend heart muscle or enlarged heart chambers, reduced blood flow to the body can have a variety of serious effects. Insufficient blood flow to the body can result in cardiac arrest, heart failure, stroke and death.
