What is dilated cardiomyopathy?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Dilated cardiomyopathy is a relatively common disease in our daily lives. So, what is dilated cardiomyopathy? It refers to a disease characterized primarily by an enlarged heart and a severe reduction in the heart's pumping function. The cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is often unclear. Its clinical symptoms typically present as symptoms of heart failure, such as exertional dyspnea, or severe orthopnea and profuse sweating. Additionally, arrhythmias are also a common manifestation of dilated cardiomyopathy, such as atrial fibrillation, frequent premature ventricular contractions, and ventricular tachycardia. If diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, it is essential to visit the department of cardiology at a hospital for specialized treatment and to take medication as prescribed. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should patients with cardiomyopathy pay attention to?

Patients with cardiomyopathy need to rest adequately, avoid overexerting themselves, and not get overly emotional to keep their mood calm and prevent an increased burden on the heart, which could trigger heart failure. In their diet, they should consume easily digestible foods that are high in superior protein and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods can provide the high-quality proteins, vitamins, and trace elements needed by the body, enhancing immunity and disease resistance. In the event of thrombosis and myocardial cell repair, systematic medication treatment under a doctor's guidance is essential to promote myocardial repair.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is dilated cardiomyopathy more serious or is myocardial ischemia more serious?

This has to be judged comprehensively based on the following conditions: First, the age factor. If it occurs in young people, dilated cardiomyopathy tends to be more severe. This is because dilated cardiomyopathy is an organic heart disease, and myocardial ischemia in young people may not necessarily involve organic heart disease changes, but could also be normal physiological changes in the electrocardiogram. Second, whether there is concurrent cardiac function impairment. Dilated cardiomyopathy definitely involves impairment of the heart's pumping function, whereas myocardial ischemia does not necessarily involve such impairment. Therefore, in most cases, dilated cardiomyopathy is more serious.

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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 Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Which department should I register for cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a common disease in our daily lives, characterized primarily by changes in the myocardium. After being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, many patients often ask which department they should register with at the hospital. Generally speaking, cardiomyopathy falls under cardiovascular diseases, so registration should be with the department of cardiology. Cardiologists often prescribe a cardiac echocardiogram to diagnose myocardial diseases. Conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or dilated cardiomyopathy require a cardiac echocardiogram for detection, which is the most commonly used examination for cardiomyopathy.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can people with cardiomyopathy run?

Whether a person with myocardial disease can run or not depends on the extent of myocardial damage and clinical symptoms. If the myocardial damage is severe and there are significant clinical symptoms of heart failure and arrhythmia, this group should not run and needs bed rest. If strenuous activity would worsen heart failure, the myocardial damage is mild, with no typical clinical symptoms, and does not affect daily activities, this group can engage in appropriate exercises like walking or running, but the duration should not be too long, about 20 to 30 minutes each time.