Cardiomyopathy in Na-robi. A follow-up study

Abstract

" Thirty-one patients with an initial diagnosis of cardiomyopathy were investigated and followed up for periods of four years or "more. Failed hypertension (hypertensive disease in a phase of cardiac failure when the myocardium is unable to sustain the hypertension, and the blood pressure may be normal), alcoholic heart disease and ischaemic heart disease were important causes of the apparent cardiomyopathy. It is suggested that in a population in which heavy alcohol consumption and hypertension are not uncommon, the two conditions may frequently coexist. The combination may be severe enough to cause an illness clinically identical to congestive cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis of failed hypertension will only be established after successful treatment and follow-up.".