Ischemic cardiomyopathy

When you come to Aurora for ischemic cardiomyopathy, you’ll get care that’s the most advanced in the region – and personalized to you. We take the time to talk with you about the different treatment options available, and together we’ll determine the care plan that’s best for you.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy causes

Cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases that causes your heart to become enlarged, thick or stiff. Of the different types of cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy is the most common.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the name for when coronary artery disease (also called ischemic heart disease) or a heart attack reduces blood flow to your heart, damaging the muscle. As your heart’s ventricles (lower chambers) enlarge and weaken because of the damage, your heart works harder to pump blood to the rest of your body. This can lead to heart failure, heart valve disease, blood clots and other heart conditions.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is any form of cardiomyopathy not related to coronary artery disease. Find out more about all types of cardiomyopathy.

What are the symptoms of ischemic cardiomyopathy?

In the beginning, you may not have any symptoms. But if you do feel any symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor right away to avoid a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of ischemic cardiomyopathy may include:

• Chest pain, often after exercise or large meals
• Heart palpitations, fluttering in your chest or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), especially during physical activity
• Dizziness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in your feet and ankles

How is ischemic cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

To diagnose ischemic cardiomyopathy, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. We’ll likely order further testing for you, which may include:

• Radiographic imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI
• Echocardiogram, a heart ultrasound
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart’s electrical activity
• Electrophysiology study to further understand your heart’s electrical activity
• Monitoring, using a Holter or other portable monitor that send reports to your doctor while you go about your daily activities
• Stress test to examine your heart while you exercise
• Cardiac catheterization to see how well your heart is working

Find out more about our heart and vascular testing and diagnosis.

How is ischemic cardiomyopathy treated?

Our heart specialists are regularly involved in clinical trials, which means you may have access to innovative heart treatments not otherwise available. And our extensive experience in implanting and replacing hundreds of pacemakers every year means you can expect the best outcome possible.

We’ll work together with you on a personalized treatment plan for your ischemic cardiomyopathy. We may recommend:

• Lifestyle changes to improve your health, such as quitting smoking and limiting salt, alcohol and caffeine
• Medication to improve your heart function and decrease symptoms like an abnormal heartbeat
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to help control an irregular heartbeat
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), where we implant a special type of pacemaker in your chest to regulate your heart rhythm