Cardiomyopathy
means heart muscle disease, andPeripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon
form of heart failure (HF) that occurs during the last month of pregnancy or up
to five months after giving birth. The heart chambers enlarge and the muscle
weakens that causes a decrease in the percentage of blood ejected from the left
ventricle of the ticker with each contraction that invariably leads to less
blood flow and the ticker is no longer able to meet the demands of the body’s
organs for oxygen. PPCM is rare in USA with around 1,000 to 1,300 women
developing the condition each year.
Symptoms
of PPCM:
Fatigue;
feeling as if the ticker is racing or skipping beats, in other words,
palpitations; swollen neck veins; increased nighttime urination; swelling of
the ankles; shortness of breath with activity and when at rest; low blood pressure.
Before
talking about PPCM diagnosis and treatment, learn more about the CPR procedure.
Cardiopulmonary
resuscitation is an emergency technique used on someone whose ticker or
breathing has stopped. Performing CPR right away can double or even triple a
person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest. The procedure comprises chest
compressions and rescue breaths. Select a certified training site for acquiring
training, such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Courses for
healthcare as well as non-healthcare providers are offered. Read to know about
a “PALS class Nashville”:
PALS
Training Classes- PALS
stands for Pediatric Advanced Life Support. The course has been designed to
prepare healthcare providers to recognize, prevent, and treat pediatric medical
emergencies. PALS will not only help you develop pediatric assessment skills,
but also will prepare you to identify early onset of shock, respiratory
emergencies and cardiovascular emergencies in both infants and children.
The other
CPR courses for healthcare providers include Basic Life Support and Advanced
Cardiac Life Support.
PPCM
Causes:
The
underlying cause isn’t clear. Heart biopsies are ordered by doctors which
sometimes show women having inflammation in the heart muscle whichmay be because
of prior viral illness or abnormal immune response. Apart from genetics that
may play a role, other potential causes include poor nutrition, coronary artery
spasm, small-vessel disease, and defective antioxidant defenses.
Obesity, use
of certain medications, smoking, alcoholism, multiple pregnancies, poor
nutrition and history of cardiac disorders like myocarditis (heart muscle
inflammation) are some of the risk factors.
Diagnosis:
It is
difficult to detect PPCM because heart failure symptoms can imitate those of
third trimester pregnancy, such as swelling in the feet and legs, and some
shortness of breath.Doctors will look for signs of fluid in the lungs during a
physical exam. They’ll use a stethoscope to listen for lung crackles, a rapid heart rate, or abnormal
heart sounds. An echocardiogram may be ordered that can detect the
cardiomyopathy by showing the diminished functioning of the ticker. Laboratory
blood tests including tests to assess kidney, liver and thyroid function; tests
to assess electrolytes, including sodium and potassium may also be ordered.
PPCM is
diagnosed when criteria including heart failure (HF) developing in the last
month of pregnancy, reduction in the pumping function of the ticker with a
reduced EF and when no other causefor HF with reduced EF can be found- are met.
Treatments:
Treatment
aims to keep extra fluid from collecting in the lungs and to help the ticker
recover as fully as possible. Medicines help normal heart function recovery in
many women. Mechanical support or heart transplantation may be required if
there’s severe heart failure. There are several classes of medications a
physician can prescribe to treat symptoms, including Angiotensin Converting Enzyme,
or ACE, inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics, digitalis and anticoagulants.
Healthcare providers may recommend a low-salt diet, fluid restrictions, or
regular weighing. Women are advised to quit smoking and stop drinking (if they
do) since these habits worsen the symptoms.
Equip
yourself in the life-saving CPR technique and contribute towards the safety of
cardiac arrest victims. Contact CPR Nashville on (615) 638-0005 to know more.
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