Treatment:

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.

Several types of medications have been found to help patients live longer with this disorder. They include ACE-inhibitors (captopril, lisinopril), beta-blockers (metoprolol, carvedilol), and diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone, and eplerenone.

A cardiac catheterization will be done to see if you can have bypass surgery or angioplasty ("balloon procedure"). These treatments can improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle.

A number of studies have shown that heart failure symptoms can be improved with a special type of pacemaker. It paces both the right and left sides of heart. This is referred to as biventricular pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ask your provider if this therapy is right for you.

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. At this point, very, very few patients will be able to undergo either of these advanced treatments.

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

Expectations (prognosis):

This is a very serious disorder. Patients with this condition, in general, do not have a normal lifespan. For some, the prognosis is just as bad as for many forms of cancer. Thus, it is very important to discuss your particular situation with your doctor to ensure that you can improve it as much as possible.

Complications:

• Arrhythmias, including lethal arrhythmias
• Cardiogenic shock

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have symptoms that may be ischemic cardiomyopathy, or if chest pain is present and not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.