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Learn more about the UPMC Center for Inherited Heart Disease experts.
In DCM the heart's chambers dilate or get wider. When this happens, the heart can't pump blood as it should.
Doctors aren't always able to find the cause of DCM.
Some people get the disease due to another health issue, such as:
Some people inherit DCM. This means parents pass down mutated, or changed, genes that affect the heart.
About half of all people who have DCM inherit the disease.
People with DCM can develop heart failure, in which the heart doesn't function to its full ability.
Our expert care
At the center, you'll see:
Call the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at 1-855-876-2484.
Not everyone who has DCM has symptoms. You might have the disease and not know it.
Let your doctor know if you have the following symptoms:
Also, talk with your doctor if you have family members who've had:
They can help you make lifestyle changes that support your heart's health.
When you visit the Center for Inherited Heart Disease, you'll meet with a heart specialist and genetic counselor. They will assess and screen you to learn more about heart disease in your family.
Doctors use a few tests to diagnose DCM:
Our experts at the Center for Inherited Heart Disease work with you to design a DCM treatment plan tailored to you.
Your doctor might prescribe drugs to:
If lifestyle changes or medicine don't help your condition, you might need: