A 33-year-old member asked:
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Scottanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 39 years experience
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.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Calvin Weisbergeranswered
Cardiology 51 years experience
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.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Rick Kochanswered
Cardiology 22 years experience
Heart muscle: That is not functioning normally with resultant chamber enlargement. Diagnosed by echocardiogram.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Jesus Yapanswered
Cardiology 53 years experience
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
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
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Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
What are the tests for dilated cardiomyopathy?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Zevitzanswered
Internal medicine 37 years experience
Echocardiogram: Echocardiogram is the definitive first line test for dilated cardiomyopathy. The most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is coronary artery disease, so cardiac cath often is also a test required in dilated cardiomyopathy to determine the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. Aortic or mitral valve disease can also cause dilated cardiomyopathy, both detected on echocardiogram.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Can you reverse a dilated cardiomyopathy?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Depietroanswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 35 years experience
There are treatments: Some kinds of dilated cardiomyopathy improve with time, such as those caused by alcohol abuse, which may improve with abstinence. In other cases the standard medications for heart failure do not cure, but can improve heart function and devices like an aicd help control arrythmias.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Bronx, NY
A 46-year-old male asked:
Can dilated cardiomyopathy be treated?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Terrence Cohenanswered
Cardiology 46 years experience
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.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
How would you explain dilated cardiomyopathy?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Jostanswered
Cardiology 36 years experience
Enlarged Heart: An enlarged heart leading to pump failure and congestive heart failure and arrhythmia.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
How dangerous is dilated cardiomyopathy?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Fensteranswered
Cardiology 31 years experience
Depends: Dilated cardiomyopathy (dcm) prognosis depends on many things. The degree of dysfunction affects the prognosis. The degree of symptoms affects the prognosis; additionally the cause affects the prognosis as well. If the cause can be reversed by revascularization, if it is a viral etiology or a type from which recovery is possible (valve replacement, cessation of alcohol) the prognosis may by better.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Dec 11, 2020
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