Posted on 07/09/2013 1:35:15 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Country singer, Randy Travis is in critical condition after being admitted to a Texas hospital on Sunday, July 7, 2013 for viral cardiomyopathy, reports USA Today. Cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscles, and can be genetic, but also can be caused by a virus, or can even be a result of another medical condition.
So what is cardiomyopathy – specifically, what is viral cardiomyopathy – and what are some of the possible treatments that Randy Travis may have to undergo for recovery?
What is Cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that makes the heart to become enlarged, thick, or rigid. As cardiomyopathy progresses, the muscles of the heart become weak and cannot pump blood as well as they should. This can lead to heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heart beats – and can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, feet, legs, and abdomen.
There are four main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and arrhymogentic right-ventrical dysplasia cardiomyopathy. These diseases can be caused by other medical conditions, or can be passed down through families, and many times, the cause remains unknown.
Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid or unusual heartbeat, fluid retention, and fatigue. In cases where the cause is a viral infection, symptoms can also include headache, body aches, joint pain, fever, sore throat, or diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A virus causes the type of cardiomyopathy that Randy Travis has contracted – hence the name, ‘viral cardiomyopathy,’ also known as myocarditis.
Viruses that cause myocarditis can include parvo B19, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, cytomegalovirus, and sometimes the Epstein-Barr virus, and influenza viruses. According to an article entitled “Human Viral Cardiomyopathy,” a viral infection to the heart is relatively common, but generally occurs without any symptoms and the person recovers. However, the authors note that in rare cases in can lead to “substantial cardiac damage” that can result in cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.
Viral Cardiomyopathy Treatment
According to the American Heart Association, in some cases, such as patients with no symptoms, no treatment is necessary. However, in other cases where the cause of the disease is known, and the patient is experiencing symptoms, treatment can include medications, surgery, and implanted medical devices. These treatments can reduce symptoms and stop the disease from progressing. According to the Mayo Clinic, in mild cases of viral cardiomyopathy the doctor may prescribe rest and medications to help fight off the infectionl in severe cases, surgery and heart transplant maybe necessary.
Randy Travis’ Viral Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy can be a serious and life-threatening disease in some cases, and if not properly treated. Treatment will depend on the cause of the disease, and as in Randy Travis’ case, hospitalization maybe necessary. Details of the popular country singer’s health status are thin on the ground; Decoded Science will watch for updates on his treatment and recovery.
not a minor procedure, it appears they have to open the chest to implant the device. so it’s open heart surgery recovery for him, with his chest/sternum having to heal up.
I know what you mean about Co Q-10.
I take it religiously. My heart was enlarged from an atrial flutter ending up in the hospital with CHF. My EF was in the low 20s. Now it is about 50, the heart is back to normal size and best of all, I can go on long mountain bike rides with lots of ascending. The descending is what will probably kill me.
My father, had kidney problems. My sister got him on cq10 and his creatine levels started to immediately get better and gave him a few extra years, 91 total!
Impella Device
The Impella device functions similarly to a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical pump-type device that is surgically implanted in the left ventricle of the heart. (The LVAD helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that can’t effectively work on its own, for example, in cases of heart failure.)
The Impella device is a tiny pump that is inserted with a catheter through the groin rather than being surgically implanted. It can be used temporarily to help patients tolerate procedures such as angioplasty by relieving the heart’s pumping function and providing the time needed to perform life-saving procedures.
http://heartcenter.ucsd.edu/health-information/treatment/Pages/impella-device.aspx
I am in good health, but even so I have a hard time staying on COQ10. It doesn’t make me “feel” any better. So difficult to stay motivated....same with a lot of things actually. Sigh.
I suppose I should give it another run, though.
I would also be interested in your daily dosing for CO-Q 10, and also if there is a particular set of brands you rely on for quality.
I've noticed that Walmart sells various brands and doses (all fairly expensive), and also has various pill-form brands, and a couple "chewy" kinds that look like candy.
(I'm really just looking for a quality reliable brand with an effective dose.)
“I did some checking on his bio, and he was a real hellion growing up, and even after. A lot of booze and drugs, which probably damaged his body to the point of his current health issues.”
You’re getting me worried.
that’s funny, I was at the impella web page and they said it was inserted under normal open chest procedures. had a graphic of an open chested patient.
I wonder if this just means they could do it either way.
“that’s funny, I was at the impella web page and they said it was inserted under normal open chest procedures. had a graphic of an open chested patient.
I wonder if this just means they could do it either way.”
Check the date on the page. It still could be done either way but more and more they are doing things with the heart through angioplasty. I just had two aortic anuerysms repaired two weeks ago through angioplasty. It is quite fascinating. I was blown away. Two small incisions in the groin. Walked out of the hospital two days after the ‘procedure’. ( They no longer refer to this as ‘surgery’. ) No pain associated with the incisions. It still amazes me even while still ‘healing’.
Aww, such a great picture! Thank you for posting!
It is because of its powerful antioxidant protection that CoQ10 is often recommended for a wide variety of heart-related conditions, such as heart attack, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, which require extra protection from free radical damage.Mercola sells CoQ10 on his site; I have purchased it through him.
Back in the summer of 2000, I took 30 mg of CO-Q 10, three times a day, for a total of 90 mg per day. I bought them at WalMart.....I forget the brand.
Over the years, I gradually increased the mg of CO-Q 10. WalMart discontinued the 30 mg size, so I started to take 50 mg, three times per day, one with each meal. So I was up to 150 mg per day.
Currently, I buy the COQ-10 at Sam’s Club....the brand is “Simply Right.”
In November, 2008....on election day.....I had a routine doctor’s appointment, and they told me I had Afib. I upped the CO-Q 10 once again.
In 2011, I didn’t have much energy and started to get short of breath, and had a burning in my stomach when I walked. I ended up in the hospital in January, 2012, with a heartbeat of 180+ per minute, and an ejection fraction of only 15!
Once again, I upped the CO-Q 10, lost 40 pounds, and, as usual, I snapped back to normal. The medical people think I go into and out of Afib. I’m down to about 62 beats per minute now.
I now take 200 mg of CO-Q10 at breakfast, one 200 mg of C0-Q10 at lunch and a second gel capsule of 100 mg, also at lunch....and 200 mg of CO-Q10 at dinner. So, currently I take 700 mg of COQ-10 per day, which works for me, but it might be too much for some people. My doctor knows I take these supplements. It’s probably best to check with your provider.
I also take 500 mg of L-Carnitine at breakfast, 1000 mg of Fish oil at breakfast, 1000 mg of Fish Oil at dinner, and 400 mg of magnesium at dinner. I buy the magnesium at the WalMart pharmacy counter. I just have to ask for it....no prescription is necessary.
I also take Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Multivitamin (Centrum), 1000 mg of garlic at breakfast, Vitamin D-3 (400 mg) at dinner, 600 mg of Red Rice Yeast at dinner, plus a number of prescription drugs.
Hope this helps.
Hi....please see my post # 31.
I started out at 30 mg three times per day in the summer of 2000. The CO-Q10 was purchased at WalMart. (I currently purchase the CO-Q10 at Sam’s Club, they are tan-colored gelatin capsules. The brand is “Simply Right.”) I’ve never seen a chewable variety.
WalMart stopped selling 30 mg years ago, and the smallest size available was 50 mg. So, I was up to 150 mg per day at that point.
When I developed Afib in late 2008, I increased my dosage of CO-Q10, with the knowledge of my doctor. I take 200 mg at breakfast, 300 mg at lunch, and 200 mg at dinner. I’m up to 700 mg a day now, which is probably more than most people need.
I remember reading an interesting story on the Internet a number of years ago. A man was taking care of his mother, who was bedridden. He was giving her 30 mg of CO-Q10 per day. She wasn’t doing well, and her relatives expected her to pass away soon.
One day, the son started to accidentally give his mom 300 mg per day. Before long, his mother got out of bed, got dressed, and started to attend family functions. Everyone in the family was stunned.
From my posts, you can probably tell I’m a big fan of CO-Q10.
My sister takes it, my mother takes it, my late father took it (it took me awhile to get him and his doctor to sign on),
some of my relatives in New York and Florida take it, etc.)
From what I understand, CO-Q10 is very popular in both Japan and Italy. Much research on CO-Q10 has been conducted in those two countries, but I think one need’s a prescription in those particular nations.
I’m glad to hear the CO-Q10 is working for you, too.
My Dad also had kidney problems. I eventually talked him into taking the C0-Q10, after his VA doctor finally signed on to the idea. He lived to be 87 1/2.....both his brothers died in their 50’s.
Our Walmart has two different brands of "chewy" -- one is "Spring Valley", and I forget the other one, plus several brands of pills.
I might look into some other things on your list too, such as L-Carnitine.
I know that "Dr. Oz" recommends CO-Q-10 supplements, and "Dr. Sears" recommends Omega-3's in fish oils, etc. If you're interested on their take on these things, you can check out these links:
From my posts, you can probably tell I’m a big fan of CO-Q10.Indeed! And I appreciate your enthusiasm. Today I received an e-mail link from a doctor who healed his own thyroid issues (I follow him because I too have Graves--hyperthyroid), and lo and behold, CO-Q10 is mentioned. I'm going to have to start back on this stuff... Thanks again! http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/archives/coq10-thyroid-health/
You’re welcome!
My cousin is an elementary school teacher on Long Island, NY. Besides being a conservative, she also has had some thyroid issues. I’m going to tell her about CO-Q10, and I’ll send her your link as well.
Thank-you for letting me know.
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