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Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

• Overview
• Symptoms
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Definition:

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a disorder in which excessive, habitual use of alcohol weakens the heart muscle so that it cannot pump blood efficiently.

Alternative Names:

Cardiomyopathy - alcoholic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Drinking alcohol in large quantities has a toxic effect on heart muscle cells. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by habitual alcohol abuse.

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy causes the weakened heart muscle to pump inefficiently, leading to heart failure . In severe cases, the lack of blood flow affects all parts of the body, damaging multiple tissues and organs.

The disorder is most commonly seen in men ages 35-55 years old, but it may develop in anyone who consumes too much alcohol over a long period of time. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy may be identified as "idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy," if the person's drinking history is not known.

• Review Date: 11/6/2006
• Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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