When the heart is unable to pump blood and the left ventricle is enlarged and weakened, it causes an illness called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Causes and Symptoms:

There are cases when the heart in unable to perform its normal functions because of this and filling blood is restricted. The issue here is that this illness does not strike patients under a specific age group but children and adults alike. The causes of the illness originate from a wide range of factors such as heredity, thyroid disease, diabetes, infections of the heart, irregularity of the heart valve, drug toxicity, recreational drugs, severe alcoholism and even childbirth.

The symptoms may not be very noticeable initially but the ones that stare you in the face are cited below:

-Acute shortness of breath while doing normal activities

-Excessive fatigue

-Weight gain

-Palpitations due to erratic heart rhythms

-Vertigo

-Fainting during routine exercises

-Edema in the lower half of the body

-Pressure on the chest

-Blood clots in the heart, sometimes resulting in a stroke

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of the illness is based on examining the medical and family history of the patient or conducting an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, heart stress test, CT scan and MRI. If the patient exhibits symptoms that are of concern to the doctor, he may suggest a heart or myocardial biopsy to determine the cause. If this runs in the family, it is advisable to inform the specialist accordingly.

Treatment options for dilated cardiomyopathy are based on trying to decrease the substances in the heart that enlarge the organ since they can worsen the problem. Usually medication is suggested to manage the heart failure with prescription drugs such as beta-blockers, inhibitors or a diuretic if so required. Blood thinners are also suggested to prevent any excessive clotting.

To lessen arrhythmias, doctors usually suggest medication to control the erratic rate of the irregular heartbeat. The other option to treat the condition is to bring about a complete change in lifestyle through steps like reducing stress, eliminating excessive salt intake, changing the diet by keeping away transfat foods, doing light exercises (walking or jogging), etc. Sometimes it can happen that even though the patient tries everything that he/ she is advised the problem may persist and that is where surgery may be inevitable. Additionally, based on the severity of the problem, the following surgeries maybe required:

-Cardiac biventricular pacemaker

-An ICD (implantable cardio-verter defibrillator for people with extreme arrhythmia – by using this method the heart is shocked into performing its normal functions

-Inserting a heart valve

-Finally, if all else fails, a heart transplant

After the surgery, the patient has to follow all the rules outlined by the specialist or he/she may end up with added complications. Usually exercise is advised but this does not mean that one should be pumping away in the gym after such a serious operation. A walk has never done damage to anyone. A couple of stretches a day can help as well. A change in diet also plays a vital role, but that does not mean that one cannot have a treat occasionally (of course, after a consultation with the doctor).

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women\’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.
http://www.womenscenter.com/

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women\’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.
http://www.womenscenter.com/

Author Bio: Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women\’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.
http://www.womenscenter.com/

Category: Medicines and Remedies
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