Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy represents a collection of diverse conditions of the heart muscle. These diseases have many causes, symptoms, and treatments and can affect people of all ages and races.

When cardiomyopathy occurs, the normal muscle in the heart can thicken, stiffen, thin out, or fill with substances the body produces that do not belong in the heart muscle. As a result, the heart muscle’s ability to pump blood is reduced, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, the backup of blood into the lungs or rest of the body, and heart failure.

The diagnosis of cardiomyopathy is usually established by a cardiologist with an EKG, echocardiogram, chest x-ray, and cardiac stress testing (e.g., treadmill). A coronary angiogram may be required.

The SSA does not have a separate listing for cardiomyopathies. Instead, you apply under one of the other three categories: congestive heart failure (4.02), ischemic (coronary) heart disease (4.04), or arrhythmia (4.05).

There are 4 types of cardiomyopathy: 

1. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition where one of the pumping chambers (ventricles) of the heart is abnormally enlarged. It unfortunately can be a serious and rapidly progressive disorder, with a mortality rate of 50% within two years of diagnosis.

2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is where the heart muscle is abnormally thickened. It is often inherited and may occur in childhood or early adulthood. It can be the cause of sudden death in adolescents and young adult athletes.

3. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is where the disease causes irregular heartbeats or rhythms. This is often inherited and more common in males.

4. Restrictive cardiomyopathyis where heart muscle is stiff or scarred, or both. It can occur with amyloidosis or hemochromatosis, and infiltrative other conditions. This is the least common type.

The symptoms of cardiomyopathy depend on the type of cardiomyopathy and how severe it is. Some patients may have little or no symptoms, while others may have severe, disabling, and potentially life-threatening symptoms and complications.

-The most important symptoms are as follows.

-Shortness of breath or breathlessness with mild exertion or even at rest.

-Fatigue and tiredness.

-Swelling in the ankles and lower extremities.

-Arrhythmia or Irregular heartbeat and palpitations.

-Syncope or pre-syncope, which means fainting or brief loss of consciousness.

Medications used to treat cardiomyopathy usually include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics. Examples of ACE inhibitors (“angiotensin-converting enzyme” inhibitors) are enalapril or Vasotec. Beta blockers work to decrease the heart's workload by slowing the heart rate and decreasing its contractility. Examples of beta blockers include metoprolol, Lopressor, Toprol, and Coreg.

If you need help applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases. I handle cases all over the United States. 

Location: Michigan, USA

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