Ischemic heart disease; Cardiomyopathy - ischemic

The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and treat the cause of the condition. If symptoms are severe, you may need to stay in the hospital.

A cardiac catheterization might be done to see if you may benefit from coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery or a balloon procedure (angioplasty), which could improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle.

The overall treatment of cardiomyopathies is focused on treating heart failure.

See also: Heart failure

Drugs and treatments that may be used include:

• ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and ramipril
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and candesartan
• Diuretics, including thiazide, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics
• Digitalis glycosides
• Beta-blockers such as carvedilol and metoprolol
• Drugs that dilate blood vessels (vasodilators), such as isosorbide dinitrate or hydralazine

Some people may benefit from the following heart devices:

• Single or dual chamber pacemaker
• Biventricular pacemaker
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

A low-salt diet may be prescribed for adults. Fluid may be restricted in some cases. You can usually continue your regular activities, if you are able.

If you smoke or drink alcohol excessively, stop doing so. These habits increase stress on the heart.

You may be asked to monitor your body weight daily. Weight gain of 3 or more pounds over 1 or 2 days may indicate fluid buildup (in adults).

A heart transplant may be recommended for patients who have failed all the standard treatments and still have very severe symptoms. Recently, implantable, artificial heart pumps have been developed. However, very few patients are able to undergo either of these advanced treatments.

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Ischemic cardiomyopathy Symptoms

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Ischemic cardiomyopathy Prevention

Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)