Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

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• What Is DCM?
• What Are the Symptoms of DCM?
• How Do You Diagnose DCM?
• How Do You Treat DCM?

What Is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

In DCM the heart's chambers dilate or get wider. When this happens, the heart can't pump blood as it should.

What are the types of DCM?

• Familial DCM. In this type, there are changes in the genes (mutations) that make certain proteins that control how the heart functions. Over time, these gene changes cause the heart muscle to weaken, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. These gene changes can be inherited from parent to child. Therefore, it is important to determine if the cause of your DCM is secondary to gene changes.

What causes DCM?

• Heart attack.
• Heart valve problem.
• Familial or inherited (genetic).
• Chemotherapy.
• Infections.

In others, lifestyle choices cause DCM, like:

• Using drugs.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Eating an unhealthy diet.

What are DCM risk factors and complications?

Complications of DCM include:

• Heart failure
• Heart arrhythmias
• Sudden death

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of DCM?

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:

• Extreme tiredness, or fatigue.
• Trouble breathing.
• Shortness of breath when you exercise or exert yourself.
• Swelling in some parts of the body.

Also, talk with your doctor if you have family members who've had:

• Heart failure.
• A heart attack.
• Sudden cardiac arrest.

They can help you make lifestyle changes that support your heart's health.

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How Do You Diagnose Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

When you visit UPMC, 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:

• Genetic tests.
• Blood tests.
• Echocardiogram, or an ultrasound image of the heart.
• MRI of the heart.
• Heart catheterization, a test that uses injected dye to see how blood flows to the heart.

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How Do You Treat DCM?

Our inherited heart disease experts work with you to design a DCM treatment plan tailored to you.

Lifestyle Changes

Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes, such as:

• Eating a healthy diet.
• Being more active.
• Controlling high blood pressure.

Medicine to treat DCM

Your doctor might prescribe drugs to:

• Control or improve how your heart beats.
• Manage how your blood flows.

Surgery for DCM

If lifestyle changes or medicine don't help your condition, you might need:

• Heart surgery.
• Ablation to correct abnormal heart rhythms.
• Implanted devices that regulate your heartbeat.
• Heart transplant.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.