Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare type of heart muscle disease where the walls of the heart become stiff but not necessarily thickened.
This stiffness prevents the heart from properly filling with blood between each heartbeat, leading to reduced blood flow to the rest of the body and heart failure symptoms. The condition often occurs in older adults and can be caused by underlying conditions like amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, or hemochromatosis.
Common symptoms of RCM include:
What is it?
A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample to assess various health indicators, including levels of certain proteins, enzymes, and other substances that can provide insights into heart function and overall health.
Why is it done?
Blood tests are done to check for markers that may indicate heart disease, including restrictive cardiomyopathy. They can help identify underlying causes, such as inflammation, infection, or other conditions that may affect the heart. Specific tests may look for elevated levels of certain proteins, such as troponin or natriuretic peptides, which can indicate heart stress or damage.
Does it hurt?
The process of drawing blood typically involves a small needle prick, which may cause a brief moment of discomfort. Most people find it tolerable, and any pain usually subsides quickly.
Potential risks and complications:
There are minimal risks and complications associated with blood tests, except the possibility of slight bruising at the blood draw site.
What is it?
An electrocardiogram is a simple, non-invasive test that records the heart's electrical activity and rhythm.
Why is it done? To detect irregular heart rhythms and identify arrhythmias.
Does it hurt? No, an ECG is painless and involves the placement of electrodes on the skin's surface to detect electrical signals.
Potential risks or complications? There are virtually no risks or complications associated with ECGs. It's a quick and safe diagnostic tool.
What is it?
A basic imaging test that captures the size and shape of the heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways and bones of the chest. Chest X-rays can also reveal fluid in or around your heart or lungs or air surrounding a lung.
Why is it done?
The image helps determine whether you have heart problems, a collapsed lung, pneumonia, emphysema, cancer or any of several other conditions. For example, changes in the size and shape of your heart may indicate heart failure, fluid around the heart or heart valve problems. A chest X-ray can also be used to check how you are responding to treatment.
Does it hurt?
X-rays are generally painless as no sensation can be felt as the radiation passes through the body.
Risks and complications:
One may be concerned about radiation exposure from chest X-rays, especially if there is a need to take them regularly. However, the amount of radiation from a chest X-ray is even lower than natural sources of radiation found in the environment where one is generally exposed to. The benefits of an X-ray also outweigh the risks, and a protective apron will be provided during the test if multiple images are required. Kindly inform the staff if you are pregnant and further measures will be done to protect the belly area from radiation.
What is it?
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the heart's structure and function.
Why is it done?
Echocardiograms are performed to confirm the size of the heart and evaluate its impact on heart function.
Does it hurt?
No, an echocardiogram is a painless procedure that involves the application of a gel on the chest and the use of a handheld transducer to capture images. It's generally well-tolerated by patients, including children.
Potential risks and complications?
There are no significant risks or complications associated with echocardiograms. It is a safe and widely used diagnostic tool.
What test is it?
MRI is a non-invasive diagnostic approach that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of organs, bones, and soft tissues in the body.
Why is it done?
To provide detailed images of the heart, including tissue that cannot be well evaluated on a conventional x-ray or echocardiogram, to help in the diagnosis of a variety of heart muscle conditions.
Does it hurt?
The scan itself is painless as the patient does not feel the magnetic field and there are no moving parts around the patient. However, some individuals may experience possible feelings of claustrophobia in the machine or be sensitive to the sounds produced by the magnets during the scan, which can cause mild discomfort. Wearing earplugs may help to block the noise.
Potential risks & complications?
MRI is considered safe for most people as it does not use radiation. However, patients with certain medical devices or conditions may not be eligible for an MRI as MRI uses a strong magnetic field – the presence of metal objects in the body can be a safety hazard or distort the MRI images.
What is it?
A medical procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue from the heart for examination under a microscope. It is commonly used to diagnose heart muscle diseases, including restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Why is it done?
To look for an underlying cause of heart failure/ restrictive physiology, such as rare conditions like cardiac amyloidosis.
Does it hurt?
This is an invasive procedure. Local anaesthesia is used to numb the site of biopsy catheter entry, so patients may feel some pressure or a brief sting but should not experience significant pain.
Potential risks and complications:
While cardiac biopsies are generally safe, there are some potential risks and complications, including bleeding at the biopsy site, infection, pain or discomfort in the area where the biopsy was taken, or damage to surrounding tissues or heart. Overall, the benefits of obtaining a definitive diagnosis often outweigh the risks associated with the procedure.
You will be prescribed a combination of drugs, especially if there are symptoms of heart failure:
Home care: Most people take multiple medications daily. Do note to take your medications on time and track any side effects. Please contact your care team if you experience new side effects, worsening swelling, chest pain or irregular heartbeat.
You are strongly recommended to have a low-sodium diet, restrict your fluid intake, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, lose weight, and engage in regular light exercise as part of your everyday lifestyle.
Through such lifestyle changes, not only will your medical symptoms reduce over time, quality of life will also be improved.
Home care: Please monitor your weight, avoid salty foods, and track your symptoms. If you feel increasingly breathless, or experience swelling of the body, please contact your care team immediately.
