Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding pathophysiology of restrictive cardiomyopathy as follows:
- Effective contraction of heart is important for normal blood flow and adequate pumping of blood by the heart to vital organs.
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy is an abnormal condition of the heart, in which the heart muscle progressively becomes rigid and stiff.
- Increased rigidity and stiffening of the heart muscle reduce the space in the heart chambers, lead to compromised ability to accommodate blood and consequently, reduces the output of blood during contraction of heart.
- Also, rigidity and stiffening of heart muscle with reduced ability of the heart chambers to hold blood, render the heart increasingly weaker and reduce ability of heart to contract effectively.
- The ineffective contractions of the heart muscle result in reduced output of blood from the heart, leading to low blood volume in circulation, hypotension with dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Progressively, this can result in reduced blood flow to all the vital organs in the body, such as, heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys, resulting in diminishing organ function and in severe cases, even organ failure.
