Cardiomyopathy - dilated
Key points
- Dilated cardiomyopathy is a group of disorders in which the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently.
- The causes of cardiomyopathy are multiple and may include nutritional deficiencies, valvular heart disease, anemia, stress, viral infections (rare), alcoholism (alcoholic cardiomyopathy), coronary artery disease, and others.
- Note: Symptoms of heart failure often develop gradually.
- Cardiomyopathy is usually discovered on examination and testing for the cause of heart failure.
Alternative names
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Definition
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a group of disorders in which the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. Decreased heart function affects the lungs, liver, and other body systems.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The causes of cardiomyopathy are multiple and may include nutritional deficiencies, valvular heart disease, anemia, stress, viral infections (rare), alcoholism (alcoholic cardiomyopathy), coronary artery disease, and others. In some cases, no cause can be identified (idiopathic cardiomyopathy).
Enlargement of the heart muscle (dilated cardiomyopathy) is the most common type of cardiomyopathy. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is another type that occurs when there is damage to the heart and scarring (fibrosis) or deposits develop in the heart muscle.
Some risk factors include obesity, having a personal or family history of cardiac disorders (such as myocarditis) and alcoholism.
Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs in approximately 2 out of 100 people. It can affect all ages and both sexes, but is most common in adult men.
Symptoms
- swelling of feet and ankles
- swelling of the abdomen
- pronounced neck veins
- loss of appetite
- shortness of breath, especially with activity
- shortness of breath which occurs after lying down for a while
- fatigue, weakness, faintness
- sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
- pulse may feel irregular or rapid
- decreased alertness or concentration
- cough
- low urine production
- need to urinate at night
Note: Symptoms of heart failure often develop gradually. Some chest pain may also be associated with this disease.
Signs and tests
Cardiomyopathy is usually discovered on examination and testing for the cause of heart failure. Tapping the area with the fingers and feeling the area may indicate enlargement of the heart. Listening to the chest with a stethoscope reveals lung crackles, heart murmur, or other abnormal sounds. The liver may be enlarged. Neck veins may be distended.
Heart enlargement, congestion of the lungs, decreased movement/functioning of the heart, or heart failure may show on:
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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