Dilated cardiomyopathy

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes When to seek medical advice Screening and diagnosis

Complications Treatment Prevention Self-care

Introduction

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle (myocardium), primarily affecting your heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle). The left ventricle becomes enlarged (dilated) and can't pump blood to your body with as much force as a healthy heart can.

Dilated cardiomyopathy doesn't necessarily cause symptoms, but for some people the disease is life-threatening. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common cause of heart failure, the inability of the heart to supply the body's tissue and organs with sufficient blood. The disease may also cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), blood clots or sudden death.

Dilated cardiomyopathy may affect people of all ages, including infants and children, but it's most often diagnosed in middle age.

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Signs and symptoms