What is dilated cardiomyopathy?

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.

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.

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

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