To avoid alcoholic cardiomyopathy, abstain from alcohol or drink in moderation. Because alcoholic cardiomyopathy is influenced by how much alcohol you drink, lessening your alcohol intake can reduce the likelihood of developing the condition. You can experience heart failure if alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is left untreated alcoholic cardiomyopathy is especially dangerous because or worsens. Heart failure happens when the heart muscle becomes too weak and stops pumping blood normally.

• Acetaldehyde is a potent oxidant and, as such, increases oxidative stress, leading to the formation of oxygen radicals, with subsequent endothelial and tissue dysfunction.
• If you notice any symptoms of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, seek immediate medical attention.
• The prevalance of alcoholic cardiomyopathy in addiction units is estimated around %.
• A doctor will examine your physical symptoms while also listening to your heart and lungs.

Cardiac Catheterization

Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is a condition where your heart changes shape because of long-term heavy alcohol use. The changes to your heart’s shape cause long-term damage, leading to heart failure and severe problems. Abstaining from alcohol may help some people recover, but others will need medication or even surgery. Regional wall motion abnormalities are not uncommon, but they are usually less prominent than those observed in persons with ischemic heart disease. A 1- and 4-year follow-up study of 55 men with alcoholism showed that Sober living house abstinence and controlled drinking of up to 60 g/day (4 drinks) resulted in comparable improvement in LV ejection fraction. Ten patients who continued to drink higher amounts of alcohol all died during the follow-up period.

How does this condition affect my body?

• In some cases, even just reducing alcohol intake to light or moderate levels can also lead to improvements.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to alcohol use does not have a pre-defined exposure time.
• These two chambers hold the primary responsibility for pumping blood to both lungs and the rest of the body.
• This inability occurs despite adverse effects on the person’s health, occupation, or relationships.

That’s because vitamin and mineral deficiencies are more common in individuals who are chronic heavy drinkers. Consider a heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet. Treatment for this condition starts with helping you reduce your alcohol intake or stop drinking entirely. That also may involve supportive care that will help prevent — or at least reduce the impact of — any alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Supportive care for withdrawal is especially important because some of its symptoms can be severe or even life-threatening. A healthcare provider can also connect you with available resources and refer you to other specialists and experts who can help you reduce or stop your alcohol intake.

Treatment for Severe Cases

In some cases, alcoholic cardiomyopathy is caused by a genetic mutation that makes your body process alcohol much slower than others.5 You can become intoxicated or damage your body with fewer drinks. It can also result from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol dependence. Most people who develop alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy have a history of heavy drinking—especially those who have been drinking heavily for 5 to 15 years. Men between 35 and 50 have a higher risk of developing alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy. Women can also develop this form of heart disease, but it is less common. ACM can also cause tachyarrhythmia (most common is atrial fibrillation).