Dilated cardiomyopathy: A disorder in which the chambers of the heart are dilated (enlarged) because the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump effectively. There are many causes, the most common being myocardial ischemia (not enough oxygen supplied to the heart muscle) due to coronary artery disease.
What is the life expectancy of someone with dilated cardiomyopathy?
Clinically, DCM is characterized by a progressive course of ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction. The life expectancy is limited and varies according to the underlying etiology with a median survival time of about 5 years after diagnosis.
Is DCM heart failure?
Dilated cardiomyopathy might not cause symptoms, but for some people it can be life-threatening. It’s a common cause of heart failure. Dilated cardiomyopathy can also lead to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), blood clots or sudden death. The condition can affect anyone, including infants and children.
What is the most common cause of cardiomyopathy?
The most common cause is coronary artery disease or heart attack. However, it can also be caused by genetic defects. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Is DCM treatable?
At present there is no cure for DCM, but treatments are available to help control your symptoms and prevent complications. Your treatment will depend on how your heart is affected and what symptoms you have. For some people, a number of other conditions can develop as a result of having DCM.
What is DCM in pharmacy?
How Dcm Products work. Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide + Menthol is a combination of three medicines: Chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan and menthol which relieve dry cough.
Is cardiomyopathy a death sentence?
Normally, when people look up cardiomyopathy, they’re terrified by talk of a five-year life expectancy. That’s nonsense. As long as you’re diagnosed early, it’s definitely not a death sentence.
Can you live a long time with cardiomyopathy?
With proper care, many people can live long and full lives with a cardiomyopathy diagnosis. When recommending treatment, we always consider the least invasive approach first. Options range from lifestyle support and medications to implantable devices, procedures, and surgeries.
Does cardiomyopathy reduce life expectancy?
Although there have been recent improvements in congestive heart failure treatment, researchers say the prognosis for people with the disease is still bleak, with about 50% having an average life expectancy of less than five years.
What are 4 signs of cardiomyopathy?
Signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy include:
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially with physical exertion.
- Fatigue.
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck.
- Dizziness.
- Lightheadedness.
- Fainting during physical activity.
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
What foods do cardiologists say to avoid?
Here are eight of the items on their lists:
- Bacon, sausage and other processed meats. Hayes, who has a family history of coronary disease, is a vegetarian.
- Potato chips and other processed, packaged snacks.
- Dessert.
- Too much protein.
- Fast food.
- Energy drinks.
- Added salt.
- Coconut oil.
How is DCM diagnosed?
How is DCM diagnosed? DCM is diagnosed based on your medical history, physical exam, and other tests. Specific tests may include blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, echocardiogram, exercise stress test, cardiac catheterization, CT scan, MRI scan, and radionuclide studies.
What are the stages of cardiomyopathy?
There are four stages of heart failure, named A, B, C and D.
- Heart Failure Stage A. Pre-heart failure, which means that you are at high risk of developing heart failure.
- Heart Failure Stage B.
- Heart Failure Stage C.
- Heart Failure Stage D.
What are symptoms of weak heart?
Signs of a Weakened Heart Muscle
- Shortness of breath (also known as dyspnea), particularly when you lie down or exert yourself.
- Chest pain, especially a heavy sensation in your chest indicative of heart failure caused by a heart attack.
- Fatigue.
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet (also known as edema)
How does a person get cardiomyopathy?
Viral infections in the heart are a major cause of cardiomyopathy. In some cases, another disease or its treatment causes cardiomyopathy. This might include complex congenital (present at birth) heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, uncontrollable, fast heart rhythms, or certain types of chemotherapy for cancer.