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 Liu Yong
Cardiology
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Can people with cardiomyopathy eat spicy food?

Generally speaking, patients with cardiomyopathy during stable phases may consider consuming spicy food, especially since these patients often have relatively poor appetites. Using mildly spicy food can potentially stimulate the appetite and improve nutritional status. However, from another perspective, excessive consumption of spicy food may cause patients to drink large amounts of water. Excessive intake could potentially increase the burden on cardiac function; therefore, it is not recommended for patients with cardiomyopathy to consume overly spicy foods. Patients with cardiomyopathy also have dietary restrictions, including a diet low in salt and fat, as overly salty diets can also exacerbate the burden on the heart and kidneys.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Is cardiomyopathy life-threatening?

Whether cardiomyopathy poses a threat to life depends on the severity of the condition. Mild myocardial damage, if detected early, diagnosed early, and treated with effective medications in a timely manner, generally has a good prognosis, poses no threat to life, and leaves no sequelae. Severe myocardial damage, due to lack of timely treatment, can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiogenic shock, which can endanger life safety. Therefore, early diagnosis, early treatment, and prevention of complications are crucial treatment measures for cardiomyopathy.

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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 Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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What should be paid attention to in daily life with dilated cardiomyopathy?

For dilated cardiomyopathy, attention should be paid to the following two aspects: First, maintain good living habits, such as a low-salt diet, abstaining from smoking and alcohol, and adhering to appropriate exercise when the condition is stable. At the same time, try to avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue. Second, standardized medication treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. This includes drugs such as the diuretic furosemide or spironolactone, as well as beta-blockers like metoprolol sustained-release tablets. Proper medication can improve symptoms, reduce the occurrence of heart failure, and lessen hospital visits, thereby improving life quality and extending life span. Never stop or switch any medication on your own at home. (Please consult a doctor before using any medication)

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Written by Liu Yong
Cardiology
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Does cardiomyopathy require surgery?

Firstly, whether myocardial disease requires surgery, we need to clarify the type of myocardial disease and the stage of myocardial disease, that is, the stage of heart function that has been affected. There are many types of myocardial diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy, for instance. The treatment plans for different types of myocardial diseases are not exactly the same. For example, dilated cardiomyopathy is generally treated with medication, and only in the very late stages of dilated cardiomyopathy, or what is known as stage IV heart function, when conventional medication is ineffective, heart transplantation might be considered if a donor is available and conditions allow. However, currently, heart donors are extremely rare, making this option quite difficult to achieve. The latest advances in clinical research have introduced artificial mechanical hearts available for transplantation, but the costs of surgery are very high, and the technology is not very mature yet. Therefore, the chances and opportunities for surgery are not very great and must be decided based on the situation. For other conditions, such as ischemic cardiomyopathy, if it is clearly caused by severe ischemia, we might consider addressing the factors causing myocardial ischemia, such as performing a coronary angiography. If there is severe coronary artery stenosis, we might consider implementing a coronary artery stent or coronary artery bypass grafting to alleviate the ischemic factors. In cases like restrictive cardiomyopathy, if there are severe restrictive factors contributing to the disease, surgical treatment might also be pursued.