Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Treatment: The treatment of Dilated cardiomyopathy is almost similar to the treatment of CHF. Some of the therapeutic treatments include Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), Beta-blockers, Cardiac glycosides, Vasodilators, and anti-coagulants selectively. The true incidence of cardiomyopathies is unknown. As with other diseases, authorities depend on reported cases (at necropsy or as a part of clinical disease coding) to define the prevalence and incidence rates. The inconsistency in nomenclature and disease coding classifications for cardiomyopathies has led to collected data that only partially reflect the true incidence of these diseases. Whether secondary to improved recognition or other factors, the incidence and prevalence of cardiomyopathy appear to be increasing. The reported incidence is 400,000-550,000 cases per year, with a prevalence of 4-5 million people. Cardiomyopathy is a complex disease process that can affect the heart of a person of any age, and clinical manifestations appear most commonly in the third or fourth decade.

Symptoms: Regardless of the type of cardiomyopathy you may have, the symptoms tend to be similar. In all cases, the heart is unable to adequately pump blood to the tissues and organs of the body, resulting in symptoms such as generalized weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, particularly during exertion or exercise, chest pain, fainting attacks, high blood pressure.

Pathophysiology: Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a primary failure of a systolic function along with insufficient contractility. In this case, the effected heart muscle fails to generate the adequate pressure required to maintain cardiac output. There are many different types of cardiomyopathy, caused by a range of factors from coronary heart disease to certain drugs. All these causes can lead to irregular heartbeats, heart failure, heart valve problems, and other complications.