Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart's muscle fibers are stretched to the maximum, resulting in heart failure. Then only a heart transplant may be a chance to save the patient's life. What are the causes and symptoms of heart failure? What is the treatment?

Dilated cardiomyopathy(akacongestive , dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease in which the walls of the heart become thin, causing the heart cavity (most often the left one) widens (dilates) and weakens, losing the ability to effectively pump blood, which leads to its failure.

Dilated cardiomyopathy - causes

In a significant proportion of patients (20-50% of cases) the disease runs in families, which indicates genetic determinants.

In patients with no family history of dilated cardiomyopathy, the most common cause of its development is a history of myocarditis.

Other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy can be:

  • all external factors that can damage the heart - toxins (lead, mercury), as well as alcohol, drugs, some medications (e.g. oncology)

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of cardiomyopathy.

  • neuromuscular disease
  • viral infection
  • metabolic disease, e.g. hemochromatosis
  • pregnancy (also calledperinatal cardiomyopathy )
  • hyperthyroidism - people with hyperthyroidism or poorly treated hyperthyroidism may developthyrotoxic cardiomyopathy

In some cases, it is impossible to answer the question of what causes the disease (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy).

Dilated cardiomyopathy - symptoms

  • fatigue

Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy are most often symptoms of heart failure or arrhythmias.

  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath
  • exercise intolerance
  • puffiness
  • arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation)

Dilated cardiomyopathy - diagnosis

In case of suspicionDilated cardiomyopathy is performed with ECG and echocardiography.

Dilated cardiomyopathy treatment

In the case of dilated cardiomyopathy, drugs such as convertase inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics are used.

In some cases, it may be necessary to implant a cardioverter-defibrillator.

Sometimes the only chance to save a patient's life may be a heart transplant.

Category:

Cardiology