Randy Travis 54 remained in critical condition Wednesday.(Photo Robert Deutsch USA TODAY)
The illness that has left country singer Randy Travis 54 in critical condition is a serious heart problem with a variety of causes and a range of treatment options for patients the American Heart Association says.
Travis remained in critical condition Tuesday at a Texas hospital with complications from viral cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy may be caused by viral infections coronary heart disease or diseases involving other organs. Sometimes the cause is unknown. As the disease worsens it can lead to heart failure arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and heart valve problems the heart association says.
Cardiomyopathy means a pathetic heart muscle says cardiologist Mariell Jessup president of the heart association and a heart failure specialist. She is not involved in Travis' treatment.
There are multiple kinds of cardiomyopathies and part of the doctor's job right now is to find out what is wrong with his heart muscle.
His publicist said in a statement on Tuesday that earlier reports that Travis had heart surgery were incorrect. Travis underwent placement of an Impella peripheral left ventricular assist device for stabilization prior to transferring hospitals the statement said. The Impella device is a tiny pump that is inserted with a catheter through the groin rather than being surgically implanted.
With good treatment many people with cardiomyopathy may go on to have a normally functioning life. But this is serious and could be life threatening Jessup says.
Cardiologist Gina Lundberg an assistant professor at the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta adds that a person with viral cardiomyopathy may not even remember being sick.
If a person has a cardiomyopathy I tell them to stop drinking alcohol completely make sure they have a healthy diet avoid taking any herbal supplements avoid intense exercise and do more low to moderate exercise and get plenty of rest.
Many people will recover from this but some never do so they may need to be considered for a heart transplant she says.
Travis' sister in law Teresa Traywick said in a statement that my husband (Travis' brother) just had a heart attack last year so it is in their family. Their mother passed away at an early age with her heart so it is like these boys are following right in their footsteps. My prayers are with them. That's all I can say right now.
Travis the singer of such hits as Forever and Ever Amen On the Other Hand and Three Wooden Crosses pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated in Texas earlier this year. He was hospitalized in 2012 after a fight near a church in Plano Texas.
Some people who have cardiomyopathy have no signs or symptoms and need no treatment. For other people the disease develops quickly symptoms are severe and serious complications occur the heart association says.
Some of the signs and symptoms include shortness of breath or trouble breathing especially with physical exertion fatigue and swelling in the ankles feet legs abdomen and veins in the neck the heart association says.
Other signs and symptoms may include dizziness lightheadedness fainting during physical activity arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) chest pain (especially after physical exertion or heavy meals) and heart murmurs. Heart murmurs are extra or unusual sounds during a heartbeat.
Treatments for cardiomyopathy include lifestyle changes medicines surgery implanted devices to correct arrhythmias and other nonsurgical procedures. The treatments can control symptoms reduce complications and stop the disease from getting worse the heart association says.
Contributing Brian Mansfield in Nashville
What causes cardiomyopathy
Certain diseases conditions or factors can raise people's risk for cardiomyopathy. Major risk factors include
A disease or condition that can lead to cardiomyopathy such as coronary heart disease heart attack or a viral infection that inflames the heart muscle.
Family history of cardiomyopathy heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.
Diabetes or other metabolic diseases or severe obesity.
Diseases that can damage the heart such as hemochromatosis sarcoidosis or amyloidosis.
Long term alcoholism.
Long term high blood pressure.
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