Dilated cardiomyopathy clinical manifestations

Written by Liu Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Dilated cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease characterized clinically by a significant enlargement of the heart, a marked reduction in ejection fraction, and a significant decline in heart function. Common clinical manifestations of this disease often present as heart failure symptoms, including chest tightness and shortness of breath after activity, nocturnal paroxysmal breathing difficulties, inability to lie flat, as well as swelling of the lower limbs and abdominal wall, and even conditions such as pleural effusion and ascites. Additionally, it may be associated with various types of arrhythmias, such as premature beats and tachycardia, especially ventricular tachycardia, which are all manifestations of dilated cardiomyopathy.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can myocarditis cause dizziness?

Cardiomyopathy is a fairly common disease in our daily lives. From a medical perspective, cardiomyopathy can usually be divided into dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. When cardiomyopathy is present for a long time, it may cause a decline in the heart’s pumping function, leading to a reduction in cardiac output and resulting in heart failure. In such cases, due to insufficient blood supply to the brain, patients often experience symptoms of dizziness. If diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, under the guidance of a doctor, regulated medication can often significantly improve symptoms, including dizziness. (Specific medication usage should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor; do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can people with cardiomyopathy eat beef?

Patients with myocarditis can eat beef, but not too much. They should consume beef in small amounts. Beef is a type of meat with very high nutritional value, and it is a major source of high-quality protein, trace elements, and minerals for the human body. Eating beef regularly can improve the body's immunity and disease resistance. For patients with myocarditis, eating beef can help accelerate the repair of myocardial tissue. However, it is advisable not to eat fatty beef but instead choose lean meat and consume it in moderation. It is also important to pay attention to dietary structure, preferably eating easily digestible, high-protein nutritional foods, and increase the intake of vegetables and fruits, which can aid in the recovery from myocarditis.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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How to recover from decreased physical fitness due to dilated cardiomyopathy?

Dilated cardiomyopathy is diagnosed after excluding conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypertension, coronary heart disease, cardiac hypertrophy, or myocarditis as underlying causes. Generally, the exact cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is unknown, rendering causal treatment impossible. Once diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, it is impossible to completely cure the condition. The only approach is to manage symptoms and prevent further progression of the disease. Typically, this involves the use of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics. If the patient has severe cardiac dysfunction, drugs like digoxin, which strengthen heart function, may be considered. If medication does not adequately control the condition, other treatments like CRT might be considered, as well as the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, diuretics, or intravenous cardiotonic glycosides.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Do you have to take medication for life for dilated cardiomyopathy?

Dilated cardiomyopathy refers to a disease characterized by an enlarged heart, especially significant enlargement of the left ventricle, along with a severe reduction in the heart's ejection fraction. Those diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy generally require long-term, and possibly lifelong, medication management. This includes diuretic medications such as furosemide or spironolactone, and β-blocker agents such as metoprolol or bisoprolol. These medications can effectively improve symptoms of heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, enhance quality of life, and even extend lifespan. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy to take medications as prescribed by a doctor and not to discontinue them arbitrarily.

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Written by Tang Li
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Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, due to unknown causes and often related to genetic factors, is difficult to prevent. It is important to guide patients on how to lead their lives, reminding them to avoid intense physical activities, heavy lifting, or breath-holding to reduce the incidence of sudden death. Avoid using drugs that enhance myocardial contractility and reduce cardiac capacity load, such as digoxin and nitrates, to decrease the aggravation of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The treatment principle for this disease is to slow down the hypertrophy of the myocardium, prevent tachycardia, and maintain normal sinus rhythm. It also aims to relieve the narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract and counteract arrhythmias. Currently, the use of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers is advocated. For severe obstructive patients, interventional and surgical treatments can be carried out, including the implantation of a dual-chamber DTD pacemaker, and the ablation or removal of hypertrophied interventricular septum myocardium.