Randy Travis and Cardiomyopathy

You may have heard that country music singer Randy Travis has been diagnosed with a serious heart problem. The doctors say he is suffering from complications from viral cardiomyopathy. Travis is 54 years old.

Causes of Cardiomyopathy

According to the American Heart Association 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 Mayo Clinic lists possible causes of cardiomyopathy as:

Long-term high blood pressure
Heart valve problems
Heart tissue damage from a previous heart attack
Chronic rapid heart rate
Metabolic disorders, such as thyroid disease or diabetes
Nutritional deficiencies of essential vitamins or minerals, such as thiamin (vitamin B-1), selenium, calcium and magnesium
Pregnancy
Excessive use of alcohol over many years
Abuse of cocaine or antidepressant medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants
Use of some chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer
Certain viral infections, which may injure the heart and trigger cardiomyopathy
Iron buildup in your heart muscle (hemochromatosis)

Genetic conditions
Symptoms 

Some of the signs and symptoms of the disease may 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 Texas Heart Institute says that about 500,000 Americans have cardiomyopathy and that it is a leading cause of heart failure and the most common reason for needing a heart transplant.

Some of Travis’s most popular songs are On the Other Hand, Three Wooden Crosses and my favorite, Forever and Ever, Amen

Here he is singing it….enjoy, and here’s hoping Randy continues to get better.