Symptoms presented by the occurrence of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are the result of the heart failure and usually occur after the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Therefore the symptoms have a lot in common with other forms of cardiomyopathy. Symptoms may develop acutely or insidiously.

Alcohol history, with attention to daily, maximal, and lifetime intake and the duration of alcohol consumption as well as the nutritional status of the patient should be inquired about.

Common symptoms in alcoholic cardiomyopathy include:

• Anasarca or overall swelling
• Anorexia
• Arrhythmias
• Cachexia
• Cough containing mucus, or pink frothy material
• Decreased alertness or decreased concentration
• Dyspnea or shortness of breath with activity
• Fatigue
• Nocturia or a need to urinate at night
• Oliguria or decreased urine output
• Orthopnea or breathing difficulty while lying down
• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
• Palpitations
• Pedal edema
• Syncope
• Weakness

Cardiology