Dilated cardiomyopathy

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Dilated cardiomyopathy

Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Cardiomyopathy - dilated

• Swelling of feet and ankles
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Pronounced neck veins
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath , especially with activity
• Shortness of breath which occurs after lying down for a while
• Fatigue , weakness , faintness
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• Pulse may feel irregular or rapid
• Decreased alertness or concentration
• Cough
• Low urine production
• Need to urinate at night

Note: Symptoms of heart failure often develop gradually. Some chest pain may also be associated with this disease.

Cardiomyopathy is usually discovered on examination and testing for the cause of heart failure. Tapping the area with the fingers and feeling the area may indicate enlargement of the heart. Listening to the chest with a stethoscope reveals lung crackles, heart murmur, or other abnormal sounds. The liver may be enlarged. Neck veins may be distended.

Heart enlargement, congestion of the lungs, decreased movement/functioning of the heart, or heart failure may show on:

• Echocardiogram
• Chest x-ray
• Chest CT scan
• Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography
• Nuclear heart scan (MUGA, RNV)

An ECG may show conduction disturbances or arrhythmias, and may indicate enlargement of the ventricles. Heart biopsy may be helpful to distinguish dilated cardiomyopathy from other diseases. Lab tests vary depending on the suspected cause.

Review Date: 07/18/2006
Reviewed By: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.