Cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is myocarditis?
inflammation of the heart muscle, usually caused by a viral infection
What is pericarditis?
inflammation of the pericardium- thin sac around the heart. Can cause sharp chest pain that gets better when sitting up and worse when lying down.
What is pericardial effusion?
Too much fluid builds up in the pericardial sac.
⚠️ If fluid builds up quickly, it can press on the heart — called pericardial tamponade — and can be life-threatening.
What is pericardial tamponade?
A medical emergency where the heart is squeezed by fluid and can’t pump properly.
🩺 Signs: Low blood pressure, raised neck veins, and muffled heart sounds (Beck’s triad).
What is pericardial constriction?
Long-term inflammation causes the pericardium to become stiff and thick.
📌 This stops the heart from filling normally, leading to symptoms like fatigue and swelling.
What is cardiomyopathy?
A group of diseases where the heart muscle is abnormal — it might be too thick, too stretched, or too stiff.
What are the types of cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic: Heart muscle too thick
Dilated: Heart chambers stretched and weak
Restrictive: Heart muscle stiff, can’t relax properly
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
A genetic condition where the heart muscle is abnormally thick, especially in the left ventricle.
⚠️ Can cause fainting or sudden death, especially in young athletes.
What causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
It’s usually inherited (runs in families). A mutation affects the proteins in heart muscle cells.
🧬 Genetic testing can help detect it early in family members.
What is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)?
The heart becomes stretched and weak, and can’t pump blood well.
📝 Causes: Alcohol, viruses, pregnancy, or genetics.
What is restrictive cardiomyopathy?
The heart muscle becomes stiff and can’t relax — this stops it from filling with blood properly.
📌 Causes: Often from diseases like amyloidosis or scarring.
How does myocarditis present (symptoms)?
Chest pain
Fatigue
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Can mimic a heart attack
Investigations for myocarditis?
ECG, troponin (blood test), MRI, and sometimes biopsy.
How does pericarditis present?
Sharp chest pain
Better when sitting up
May hear a “friction rub” on stethoscope
How does cardiomyopathy present?
Breathlessness
Swelling in legs
Fatigue
Fainting (especially in HCM)
What are the treatments for myocarditis and pericarditis?
Rest
Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen)
Treat infections if present
Drain fluid if there’s tamponade
What are treatments for cardiomyopathies?
Medications: beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics
Implantable devices (like defibrillators in HCM)
Lifestyle changes
Heart transplant (in severe cases)
