What Are The Complications Of Acromegaly?

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle where it has a difficult time pumping blood to the rest of the body. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated, restrictive, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Individuals with acromegaly often develop cardiomyopathy as a complication of their disorder. This association occurs because of the effect that excess hormones have on the cardiomyocytes or muscle cells of the heart. The cells can be displaced and develop functional and structural irregularities of the heart muscle. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the variation seen the most in individuals with acromegaly. This form of cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle thickens on inside but does not cause an overall enlargement of the hollow muscle. This interior thickening diminishes the heart's total blood capacity. The result of this decreased capacity is an increase in heart rate and an increase in the output of blood upon contraction of the heart. When acromegaly precipitated cardiomyopathy is left untreated, it usually results in heart failure.

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