Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image

While some people who are addicted to alcohol try to detox at home, this can be highly uncomfortable and even life-threatening. Medical supervision is especially important if you have co-occurring mental health problems or a physical condition such as a heart problem. Constant medical supervision, medication, and psychological support can make the process safer and more comfortable. If you’re experiencing symptoms of cardiomyopathy or you’ve already received such a diagnosis, you need to work on your substance use problems. Advanced cases of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are unlikely to be reversed. However, they may be managed and the progression of the disease can be halted by abstaining from alcohol.

The lack of blood flow affects all parts of the body, resulting in damage to multiple tissues and organ systems. If you believe that you have alcoholic cardiomyopathy, you must schedule an appointment with your primary care physician immediately. They will give you a physical exam, during the appointment, and take your pulse and blood pressure, as well as listening to your lungs and heart. If you have any of these symptoms and are a chronic alcohol drinker, please see your doctor right away.

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy

If you aren’t a long-term heavy drinker, a doctor will likely diagnose it as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy . Available research shows that drinking 80g of alcohol (about 5.7 drinks) or more daily for at least five years can greatly increase your risk of developing this condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines heavy alcohol use — also known as heavy drinking — as more than eight drinks per week for women and more than 15 drinks per week for men. One drink is equal to 14 grams of pure alcohol, which can take many different forms because some forms have a higher concentration of alcohol than others. Lab testing and diagnostic imaging will be conducted, as well.

A 1- and 4-year follow-up https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of 55 men with alcoholism showed that abstinence and controlled drinking of up to 60 g/day resulted in comparable improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction. Ten patients who continued to drink higher amounts of alcohol all died during the follow-up period. Binge drinking induces a systemic inflammatory reaction, which may lead to alcohol-induced myocardial inflammation. The study did not provide evidence of an absolute acute risk of cardiac events involved with binge drinking, and the clinical significance of the findings requires further investigation.

Who Is at Risk for Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy?

Of these persons, 18 were classified as alcoholic cardiomyopathy drinkers (ie, 80 g/d or a lifetime dose of 250 kg), and 20 were classified as abstinent or light drinkers. Those classified as heavy drinkers all were men who predominantly drank beer. Hypertension due to alcohol may be a confounding comorbidity in that it may contribute to LV dysfunction; therefore, LV dysfunction due to hypertension must be differentiated from pure AC. Alcohol-induced toxicity leads to non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy characterized by loss of contractile function and dilatation of myocardial ventricles.