Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter - Cardiomyopathy Factor
Cardiomyopathy is a non-inflammatory disorder of heart muscle, other than ischaemic or hypertensive disease, involving the myocardium [the middle layer of the heart wall] or the myocardium and the endocardium [the lining membranes of the cavities of the heart and the connective tissue bed on which it lies].
Cardiomyopathy is described as dilated, hypertrophic or restrictive, depending on the nature of the disease, and also as Primary cardiomyopathy or Secondary cardiomyopathy, depending on the cause of the disease.
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms and signs vary depending on the type of cardiomyopathy, but can include shortness of breath on exertion, fatigability, shortness of breath when lying down [orthopnoea], recurring acute distressing paroxysms of shortness of breath at night [paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea], oedema of the legs, palpitations, fainting spells, and angina pectoris,
If a veteran or member had cardiomyopathy he or she would have needed significant medical attention at some time, although medical attention may not have been sought until symptoms had been present for some time. Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records. However, these records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained. Therefore, if there is a reliable history of appropriate medical treatment at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, provided this is not negated by other evidence. Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to cardiomyopathy rather than to some other condition.
Last reviewed for CCPS 16 July 2003.
Preliminary questions [34737]
34738 there is some evidence that cardiomyopathy may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.
34739 the veteran suffered from cardiomyopathy at some time.
19162 the veteran has suffered from primary cardiomyopathy at some time.
or
19291 the veteran has suffered from secondary cardiomyopathy at some time.
34740 the veteran suffered from cardiomyopathy at the time of the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.
34741 the veteran has established the causal connection between the cardiomyopathy at the time of onset of atrial fibrillation and VEA service for the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.
34742 the veteran has established the causal connection between the cardiomyopathy at the time of onset of atrial fibrillation and operational service for the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.
or
34743 the veteran has established the causal connection between the cardiomyopathy at the time of onset of atrial fibrillation and eligible service for the clinical onset of atrial fibrillation.
Clinical onset and operational service [34742]
34744 the cardiomyopathy is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [34743]
34745 the cardiomyopathy is causally related to eligible service.