A 33-year-old member asked:
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. William Scottanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 40 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
52 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 23 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 54 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
Similar questions
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 36 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 47 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
A 31-year-old member asked:
How dangerous is dilated cardiomyopathy?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Fensteranswered
Cardiology 32 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
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
How can you treat dilated cardiomyopathy?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mark Rasakanswered
Cardiology 34 years experience
Depends: Meds such as acei, b-blockers, water pills, digoxin.Devices such as aicd bi-ventricular pacemakers and left ventricular assist devices. Some pts are transplant candidates. Salt restriction , abstinence from alcohol, aerobic exercize, .
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Canada
A 37-year-old female asked:
What are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy?
5 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in

Dr. Orrin Ailloni-Charasanswered
Anesthesiology 30 years experience
Shortness : Of breath, decreased exercise tolerance, peripheral edema. Pulmonary edema.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 10, 2022
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