Preventing Cardiomyopathy and Other Heart Conditions By Dr. Miguel Zabalgoitia, FACC

1. Preventing Cardiomyopathy and
Other Heart Conditions
By Dr. Miguel Zabalgoitia, FACC

2. Diseases of the heart muscles, called cardiomyopathies
, cause the heart muscle to grow too large, too thick, or
too rigid. In all cases, cardiomyopathy prevents the
heart from working properly and can eventually lead to
heart failure.

3. While some individuals are genetically predisposed to
develop cardiomyopathy, others may develop
cardiomyopathy as a result of persistent high blood
pressure, progressive valvular heart disease, or heart
attacks. For these individuals, here are some
suggestions to identify and treat cardiomyopathy.

4. Cardiomyopathy prevention techniques include the following:
• Maintaining a healthy weight for your height.
• Eating a balanced diet rich in whole and plant-based foods.
• Avoiding smoking, excessive drinking (more than one drink
per day for women or two drinks per day for men), and
recreational drugs.
• Staying active by taking regular exercise.
• Scheduling regular check-ups with your physician, even in the
absence of glaring symptoms of disease. (This allows you to
avoid cardiomyopathy by quickly catching and treating
underlying conditions that might cause.)
• Following your doctor’s instructions and taking all
medications as prescribed.

5. About the Author:
A physician with nearly 30 years of cardiology
experience, Miguel Zabalgoitia, MD, holds
certification from the American Board of Internal
Medicine, the ABIM's Subspecialty Board of
Cardiovascular Diseases, the Certification Board of
Nuclear Cardiology, the Mexican Board of Internal
Medicine, and the Mexican Board of Cardiology. A
native of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Dr. Miguel
Zabalgoitia is a permanent U.S. resident and lives in
Rancho Viejo, Texas.

6. About the Author:
A physician with nearly 30 years of cardiology
experience, Miguel Zabalgoitia, MD, holds
certification from the American Board of Internal
Medicine, the ABIM's Subspecialty Board of
Cardiovascular Diseases, the Certification Board of
Nuclear Cardiology, the Mexican Board of Internal
Medicine, and the Mexican Board of Cardiology. A
native of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Dr. Miguel
Zabalgoitia is a permanent U.S. resident and lives in
Rancho Viejo, Texas.