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Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Alternate Names : Cardiomyopathy - Dilated
DefinitionDilated cardiomyopathy is a group of disorders in which the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. Decreased heart function affects the lungs, liver, and other body systems.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The causes of cardiomyopathy are multiple and may include nutritional deficiencies, valvular heart disease, anemia, stress, viral infections (rare), alcoholism (alcoholic cardiomyopathy), coronary artery disease, and others. In some cases, no cause can be identified (idiopathic cardiomyopathy).
Enlargement of the heart muscle (dilated cardiomyopathy) is the most common type of cardiomyopathy. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is another type that occurs when there is damage to the heart and scarring (fibrosis) or deposits develop in the heart muscle.
Some risk factors include obesity, having a personal or family history of cardiac disorders, such as myocarditis and alcoholism.
Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs in approximately 2 out of 100 people. It can affect all ages and both sexes, but is most common in adult men.
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
• Anemia
• Angina - Stable
• Arrhythmias
• Cardiomyopathy
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Heart Failure
• Myocarditis
• Pulmonary Edema
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Tests & Exams
• Chest X-Ray
• Coronary Angiography
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Myocardial Biopsy
• Nuclear Ventriculography (MUGA or RNV)
• Pulse
• Thoracic CT
Surgery & Procedures
• Heart Transplant
Other Topics
• Abdomen - Swollen
• Acute
• Appetite - Decreased
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Breathing Difficulty
• Chest Pain
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Cough
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling
• Headache
• Heartbeat Sensations
• Obesity
• Stress and Anxiety
• Urination - Excessive at Night
• Urine Output - Decreased
• Weakness
Review Date : 6/4/2002
Reviewed By : Seth Keller, M.D., Division of Cardiology, Yale New Haven Medical Center, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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