What is the difference between idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure ? both terms have been used these past 9 years

Interrelated Issues: Ideopathic=unknown cause, cardio=heart, myo=muscle, path=disease; meaning heart muscle is weak ;/or stiff; usually also enlarged as a result. Congestive refers to excess body water retention in the lungs ; body due to heart weakness. Heart failure actually means weak, not failed (one would be dead). The most common basis is arterial disease, despite artery lumens on angiogram "looking normal".

Disease vs. result: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weak without obvious cause. Some cases are genetic some may have been triggered by a virus. Congestive heart failure, is the result of the weak heart's inability to circulate the blood adequately. This may result in symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath and signs such as chest congestion and swelling.