Late-stage symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy
The so-called advanced stage refers to a phase where cardiac function has reached stage four. The common clinical manifestations of this stage are primarily those of heart failure, such as chest tightness and shortness of breath after activity, inability to lie flat at night, general edema, and even accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdominal cavity. Some patients with severe edema might experience abdominal distension, poor appetite, and even malnutrition, which are all manifestations of heart failure. Once cardiac function reaches stage four, patients with dilated cardiomyopathy are highly susceptible to malignant arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. These types of arrhythmias are a common cause of death in the late stages of dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, proactive prevention is crucial for these patients as they have a very poor prognosis, and it is essential to maintain active communication with their families.