NURS 6051 wk 5: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Heart disease is the highest reported cause of death in the United States. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012), reported that heart disease accounted for nearly 600,000 deaths, even trumping cancer by approximately 25,000. Health conditions that severely damage or weaken the heart can lead to heart failure (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Cardiomyopathy is heart disease that targets the myocardium, causing it to enlarge, thicken or become rigid.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute characterizes cardiomyopathy into to four different types: dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic. I have always found the heart to be the most fascinating organ in the body due to its responsibility of sustaining the life of every other organ. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is such an intriguing disease that has recently been reported in numerous instantaneous deaths of young and healthy adults. This disease interests me because I find it alarming that a disease of such an important organ is taking the lives of seemily healthy individuals. Since detection of cardiomyopathy is arduous, it is imperative to understand any minor signs or symptoms that assist with any preventative measures. NURS 6051 wk 5: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy