Can dilated cardiomyopathy be treated?

Question

Answer 1

Yes: Any potential causes should be addressed. There are several medications that, in combination, may greatly improve symptoms and slow progression of disease. Lifestyle modifications are appropriate such as tobacco and alcohol abstinence, weight management. In severe cases, there are several surgical options from special pacemakers and defibrillators to heart assist devices to transplantation.

Answer 2

Yes: Any potential causes should be addressed. There are several medications that, in combination, may greatly improve symptoms and slow progression of disease. Lifestyle modifications are appropriate such as tobacco and alcohol abstinence, weight management. In severe cases, there are several surgical options from special pacemakers and defibrillators to heart assist devices to transplantation.

Answer 3

Medication: It depends on the reason for the cardiomyopathy. If it is due to disease in the coronary arteries then there are procedure that can open the blood flow to the heart muscle. Otherwise medications are used to help the heart function more efficiently. Occasionally there are reversible causes like thyroid disease. A cardiologist is the best person to discuss this with.

Answer 4

Multifacet approach: Beta blockers, ace inhibitors/ arb agents plus aldosterone inhibitor (spironolactone or eplerenone) are mainstay. In addition based upon amount of fluid retention a loop diuretic such as Furosemide is added. Devices such as icd (implantable defibrillator) and crt (cardiac resynchronization therapy) is appropriate in some patients. Salt restriction and exercise program helps.

Answer 5

Weak enlarged heart: Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart is not pumping normally and is enlarged. There are many causes including inherited conditions, infections and coronary artery abnormalities.

Answer 6

Cardiomyopathy: Dilated cardiomyopathy is a weak heart condition. It is serious and requires long term treatment. It is caused by viruses, poisons, alcohol, genetics and other things. It can kill both suddenly and over time. When well treated it is possible to live a long time, sometimes people need a heart transplant.

Answer 7

Heart muscle: That is not functioning normally with resultant chamber enlargement. Diagnosed by echocardiogram.

Answer 8

Enlarged heart: Dilated cardiomyopathy is description of an enlarged,poorly contracting heart. It can be due to known factors such as ischemia(coronary),infectiion(virus) drugs(cancer)etc or unknown (idiopathic) which is genetic or familial. The latter is transmitted as autosomal dominant 50% chance of getting it or X linked- mother are carriers but sons get the disease plus muscular dystrophy

Can dilated cardiomyopathy be treated?

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