The
Cardiomyopathy
Association

When you have a specific heart disease, information can often be confusing and cause anxiety. So below are a few guidelines that may help.

Alcohol
Patients with cardiomyopathy need to be careful about the amount they drink.  Alcohol depresses heart function and when taken to excess can cause dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Alcohol can also cause abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, damage to the heart muscle and other diseases such as stroke, liver problems and some cancer.

Alcohol is a depressant too. So it can make feelings of depression and anxiety worse. It is also high in calories so it can lead to weight gain which is best avoided in cardiomyopathy.

When DCM is caused by alcohol, complete abstinence is advisable. If DCM is unrelated to alcohol, complete avoidance is not necessary, but it is best to avoid regularly drinking large amounts.

Patients should also ask their doctor about interactions between alcohol and their medications. Alcohol and the blood thinning drug warfarin, for example, interact causing the effects of  warfarin to be increased. Therefore it is best not to drink excessively if you take it.

Smoking
Smoking is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and is best avoided in cardiomyopathy.  Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build up of fatty deposits (atheroma) and narrowing of the arteries. This can compromise blood supply to the heart muscle. Ultimately this puts more strain on the heart making it more difficult for it to function.  Your blood is also more likely to clot, causing strokes.

Nicotine in cigarettes stimulates the body to produce adrenaline. This makes the heart beat faster and raises blood pressure. So again your heart works harder. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry to the heart and body.

Healthy eating
Eating healthily can stop you gaining weight. Being a healthy weight will cause less strain on the heart and help it function at its best. There is no one specific diet or menu that’s best. All foods can be included so long as you get the right balance.

Many cardiomyopathy patients take omega-3 supplements and a recent study at the University of Minnesota showed that patients with early-stage DCM benefited from taking omega-3 fatty acids on top of their regular medication.

Eating too much salt can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, which is best avoided in cardiomyopathy.  It’s important that you don’t eat more than the recommended amount of salt each day.That is 6g of salt a day for adults (or 2.5g sodium)

This figure includes all salt that you eat and drink. Many foods, such as crisps and ready meals are high in salt. Even sweet foods such as cakes and biscuits have lots of salt. So it is important to read food labels and check your salt intake.

Those who take diuretics need to take extra care. Patients on potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone, should avoid a diet rich in potassium as this can be harmful. Salt substitutes also contain potassium. Do not use them while taking spironolactone unless you have been told to do so by your doctor. Loop-diuretics, such as furosemide, can cause potassium loss – your GP will ensure your blood level is monitored and may even prescribe a supplement if your potassium level is low.

Exercise
Everyone can benefit from exercise – whatever your age, size or physical condition. You are never too old or too unfit to start doing something. Being active along with eating a healthy diet, can help your heart and help manage your weight. Exercise can also make you feel great.

Some people with cardiomyopathy feel short of breath while physically active but others not. Most are advised not to take part in competitive sports or strenuous activity.  But check with your GP or consultant before starting a fitness plan. It’s possible you could be referred to a specialised  class at your local gym where there are physiotherapists and trained advisors.

Keep yourself motivated by choosing new activities and involve friends and family too. Having a buddy makes exercise fun and sociable.