Patients may notice improved heart function and reduced swelling within a few weeks, though regular blood tests are required to monitor potassium levels and kidney function. In valvular heart disease, it will show valve problems like narrowing or leaking, while in alcoholic cardiomyopathy, the heart valves are usually unaffected, but the heart muscle is weakened. Doctors may perform a stress test to monitor your heart during exercise or a coronary angiogram to check for artery blockages. In contrast, alcoholic cardiomyopathy would show a weakened heart muscle on an echocardiogram without artery blockages. Still, medical professionals have not identified a specific alcohol level toxic to heart cells. They also have not established how long a person would need to consume alcohol before developing ACM.

Can I develop alcoholic cardiomyopathy if I only drink on weekends?

This can cause muscles to atrophy, weakening and potentially wasting away. Alcohol consumption can affect bone health, potentially leading a person to develop osteopenia. When you’re dehydrated, your body tries to retain as much water as possible. There’s also evidence that alcohol affects the gut’s ability to absorb and process certain nutrients.

Is this condition only a chronic (long-term) problem?

This condition is very serious and represents one of the biggest long-term dangers of abusing alcohol. People who have existing mental health conditions like anxiety may drink to feel differently, but the reality is that alcohol can exacerbate those symptoms. Alcoholic polyneuropathy is a condition where nerves start to malfunction in the body due to chronic alcohol consumption. It can cause pain, muscle weakness, and reduced coordination alcoholic cardiomyopathy symptoms in affected areas, sometimes to the point where it is difficult to walk and stand. Nutritional rehabilitation is also critical, especially in patients with vitamin deficiencies. Supplementation with thiamine and other B vitamins can be life-saving in some cases, particularly when Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome—a neurological complication of alcohol abuse—is a concern.

Complete Abstinence from Alcohol

Reach out to our admissions team today to learn more and take the first step. Some people develop intense bleeding deep within the throat and esophagus. When alcohol use disrupts diet choices, causing a nutritional imbalance, triglyceride levels may rise. Amy Scanlon, MD, FACC, is a practicing private practice cardiologist at Consultants in Cardiology and the current team cardiologist for Seton Hall University. Dr. Scanlon has authored several published articles including the American College of Cardiology’s Preparticipation Cardiovascular Screening for Adolescent and Young Adult Athletes module.

• Hence, the patient should be aided and encouraged to cease and abstain from alcohol.
• This stage is often detected only through advanced imaging or cardiac function tests.
• Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente.
• Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine.

Cardiac Arrhythmias and Sudden Death

Electron microscopy reveals mitochondrial enlargement and disorganization, dilatation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, fat and glycogen deposition, and dilatation of the intercalating discs. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed only when the condition is Halfway house severe. If at any point of time in your recovery, you notice new symptoms or the reappearance of old symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Diagnosis involves imaging tests like echocardiography and blood tests to assess heart function.