Personal Care for Cardiomyopathy on the Central Coast
Do you feel tired, have trouble breathing, or see swelling in your legs, feet, ankles, belly, or neck veins? You may have a cardiovascular condition known as cardiomyopathy.
Diseases of the heart muscle generally fall within the cardiomyopathy definition. Based on your specific condition, a heart doctor at Dignity Health Central Coast can diagnose and provide personalized treatment options for your cardiomyopathy on the Central Coast of California.
For more information on comprehensive care for cardiomyopathy, Find a Doctor today at Dignity Health Central Coast.
Diagnosing Your Cardiomyopathy at Dignity Health Central Coast
The type of cardiomyopathy you have will help your doctor determine the best treatment for you. Cardiomyopathy falls into three main types:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy means thickening of your heart walls.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy, the most common type, describes enlarged or dilated ventricles, with your heart not pumping blood as efficiently as it should.
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy indicates your ventricles are rigid and stiff.
You may not have any symptoms in the early stages of cardiomyopathy. As this cardiovascular condition progresses, you can experience minor health issues, such as coughing when you lay down, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
If your symptoms increase to pain in your chest, fainting, or difficulty breathing, get emergency care or dial 911.
Cardiomyopathy Treatment with Humankindness
Your doctor will determine whether your cardiomyopathy symptoms involve your heart or indicate a bigger health problem. To properly diagnose your cardiomyopathy, the Dignity Health Central Coast cardiovascular team will gather information about your health history and order the following tests:
- Stress tests to check how much work your heart can handle
- EKG to measure your heart rate and rhythm
- Echocardiogram to take pictures of your heart valves and function
- Blood tests to rule out any other conditions and get more information on your overall health
- Chest X-ray to see your heart size and if there is fluid in your lungs
- Cardiac catheterization to view your coronary arteries and heart
When treatment is recommended, your doctor may prescribe medications and discuss ways you can live a healthier lifestyle. In more severe cases, other medical procedures or heart treatments can help with your cardiomyopathy.
For cardiac care with humankindness, get in touch with a Dignity Health Central Coast heart doctor today to learn more about diagnosing and treating cardiomyopathy symptoms.
The trusted health care providers at Dignity Health can help you manage cardiomyopathy throughout the Central Coast.