Table of Contents:
- What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
- What are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy?
- What are the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
- Can it be prevented?
- What is the treatment?
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart and is characterized by weakening and dilation of the heart. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
What are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy presents symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite and swelling of the feet, among others.
Cardiomyopathy causes thinning and stretching of the heart’s
and stretching of the cardiac cavities.
What are the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
The main causes of this pathology are:
- Coronary heart disease.
- Complications of the last week of pregnancy.
- Alcohol.
- Excess iron in the heart and other organs.
- Heart rhythm problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Obesity.
Can dilated cardiomyopathy be prevented?
It can be prevented by avoiding alcohol abuse and eating a balanced diet. It is also important to follow up well in people undergoing therapeutic irradiation and taking cardiotoxic drugs and in pregnant women.
What is the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Most patients with this pathology should see a cardiology specialist to treat the symptoms or prevent complications. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, which may include the following techniques:
- Pacemaker
- Defibrillator
- Valve repair or replacement
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
If the cardiomyopathy is advanced, the treatment required may be:
- Heart transplantation
- Placement of an artificial heart or left ventricular assist device