Learn About Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

View Main Condition: Cardiomyopathy

What is the definition of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Cardiomyopathy is disease in which the heart muscle becomes weakened, stretched, or has another structural problem.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

There are many types of cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form, but it may be the result of different underlying conditions. Some health care providers use the term to indicate a specific condition, called idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. There is no known cause for this type of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy
What are the alternative names for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Cardiomyopathy - dilated; Primary cardiomyopathy; Diabetic cardiomyopathy; Idiopathic cardiomyopathy; Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

What are the causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy are:

  • Heart disease caused by a narrowing or blockage in the coronary arteries
  • Poorly controlled high blood pressure

There are many other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy, including:

  • Alcohol or cocaine (or other illegal drug) use (usually heavy use for a prolonged time)
  • Diabetes, thyroid disease, or hepatitis
  • Medicines that can be toxic to the heart, such as certain medicines used to treat cancer
  • Abnormal heart rhythms in which the heart beats very fast for a long period of time
  • Autoimmune illnesses
  • Conditions that run in families
  • Infections that involve the heart muscle
  • Heart valves that are either too narrow or too leaky
  • During the last month of pregnancy, or within 5 months after the baby is born
  • Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cobalt, or mercury

This condition can affect anyone at any age. However, it is most common in adult men.

What are the symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Symptoms of heart failure are most common. They most often develop slowly over time. However, sometimes symptoms start very suddenly and may be severe.

Common symptoms are:

  • Chest pain or pressure (more likely with exercise)
  • Cough
  • Fatigue, weakness, faintness
  • Irregular or rapid pulse
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shortness of breath with activity or after lying down (or being asleep) for a while
  • Swelling of feet and ankles
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What are the current treatments for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Things you can do at home to take care of your condition include:

  • Know your body, and watch for symptoms that your heart failure is getting worse.
  • Watch for changes in your symptoms, heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and weight.
  • Limit how much fluid you drink and how much salt (sodium) you get in your diet (check with your provider about these).

Most people who have heart failure need to take medicines. Some medicines treat your symptoms. Others may help prevent your heart failure from becoming worse, or may prevent other heart problems.

Procedures and surgeries you may need include:

  • A pacemaker to help treat slow heart rates or help your heartbeat stay in sync
  • A defibrillator that recognizes life-threatening heart rhythms and sends an electrical pulse (shock) to stop them
  • Heart bypass (CABG) surgery or angioplasty to improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle
  • Valve replacement or repair

For advanced cardiomyopathy:

  • A heart transplant may be recommended if standard treatments have not worked and heart failure symptoms are very severe.
  • Placement of a ventricular assist device or artificial heart may be considered.

Chronic heart failure becomes worse over time. Many people who have heart failure will die from the condition. Thinking about the type of care you may want at the end of life and discussing these issues with loved ones and your health care provider is important.

Who are the top Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Local Doctors?
Cardiac Electrophysiology | Cardiology
Cardiac Electrophysiology | Cardiology

Seton Family Of Doctors

1301 W 38th St, 
Austin, TX 
 8.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Thomas Kurian is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and a Cardiologist in Austin, Texas. Dr. Kurian and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). His top areas of expertise are Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), Cardiomyopathy, Atrial Fibrillation, Pacemaker Implantation, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Kurian is currently accepting new patients.

Cardiology | Nuclear Medicine
Cardiology | Nuclear Medicine

St Davids Heart And Vascular PLLC

3801 N Lamar Blvd, 
Austin, TX 
 8.7 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Vinh Nguyen is a Cardiologist and a Nuclear Medicine provider in Austin, Texas. Dr. Nguyen and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). His top areas of expertise are Angina, Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease, Cardiac Ablation, and Pacemaker Implantation. Dr. Nguyen is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Cardiology | Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology
Cardiology | Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

St Davids Heart And Vascular PLLC

3801 N Lamar Blvd, 
Austin, TX 
 8.7 mi
Accepting New Patients

David Morris is a Cardiologist and an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist in Austin, Texas. Dr. Morris and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). His top areas of expertise are Coronary Heart Disease, Atherosclerosis, Vasculitis, Angina, and Thrombectomy. Dr. Morris is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Heart failure is most often a chronic illness, which may get worse over time. Some people develop severe heart failure, in which medicines, other treatments, and surgery no longer help. Many people are at risk for deadly heart rhythms, and may need medicines or a defibrillator.

When should I contact a medical professional for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of cardiomyopathy.

Get emergency medical help right away if you have chest pain, palpitations or fainting.

Heart - section through the middle
Heart - front view
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
What are the latest Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Clinical Trials?
Artificial Intelligence Electrocardiogram Enabled Mobile Device in Screening Families for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (The AI-SCREENDCM Decentralized Clinical Trial Pilot Study)

Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and impact of screening FDR of DCM probands using a mobile ECG with the ability to transmit the ECG for cloud-based AI analysis to detect reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This protocol will examine the impact of incorporating the screening AI enhanced ECG into standard of care recommendations.

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Randomized Trial of Left Bundle Branch Pacing Effect on Clinical Outcomes and Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Nonresponse to Biventricular Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Summary: Heart failure (HF) is the most common nosology encountered in clinical practice. Its incidence and prevalence increase exponentially with increasing age and it is associated with the increased mortality, more frequent hospitalization and decreased quality of life. An initial approach to the treatment of HF patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function and left bundle branch block (...

What are the Latest Advances for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?
Long-term nifekalant use in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and recurrent ventricular tachycardia.
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of ARRY-371797 (PF-07265803) in Patients With Lamin A/C-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
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Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia.
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 27, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Elliott PM, Olivotto I. Diseases of the myocardium and endocardium. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 47.

Hershberger RE. The dilated, restrictive, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 52.

Mann DL. Management of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 50.