Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Home Treatment

While medical care is important in treating restrictive cardiomyopathy, the following self-care recommendations are also critical.

• Avoid drinking alcohol. Long-term overuse of alcohol appears to increase the risk for cardiomyopathy in some people.
• Restrict salt (sodium) in your diet. When the heart fails to pump blood effectively, the body tends to hold on to extra salt and water. This leads to fluid buildup and swelling. Limit salt to less than 2,300 mg a day. Many processed foods are high in sodium and should be avoided unless they are labeled as low-sodium. Avoid processed foods like potato chips, pretzels, salted nuts, processed meats and cheeses, pizza, canned soups, canned vegetables, olives, fast foods, and frozen dinners. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned foods.

  How can I cut back on sodium?

• Avoid drinking too many fluids. Talk to your health professional about how much fluid is safe for your specific condition.

  How can I limit my fluid consumption?

• Weigh yourself daily. If fluid begins to build up rapidly, you will notice a sudden weight gain. Your doctor may tell you how much weight to watch for. But in general, call your doctor if you gain 3 lb (1.4 kg) or more in 2 to 3 days.
• Limit your physical activity. People with restrictive cardiomyopathy may need to avoid overexertion because their hearts are not able to increase blood flow during exercise. Talk to your doctor about the best balance of rest and activity for your specific condition.

For more information on home treatment, see the topic Heart Failure.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: August 30, 2006
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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