Dilated cardiomyopathy
(DCM) is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood effectively. Symptoms vary from none to feeling tired, leg swelling, and shortness of breath. It may also result in chest pain or fainting. can include heart failure, heart valve disease, or an irregular heartbeat.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Feeling tired, leg swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting
Causes — why it happens
- ·, alcohol, cocaine, certain toxins, of pregnancy, in many cases the cause remains unclear, certain
How it's found
- ·Supported by , chest X-ray,
Treatment
- ·Lifestyle changes, medications, implantable , resynchronization therapy (CRT), heart
Complications
- ·Heart failure, heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat
Outlook
- ·Five-year survival rate ~50%
The sections below are general education drawn from public guidelines (NHS, Mayo, CPIC, WHO, ICMR). They are not individually reviewed by a clinician and are not medical advice — always talk to a doctor about your own health.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you feel breathless during light activity or lying flat, notice swelling in your legs, ankles, or belly, tire very easily, or feel your heart racing or skipping.
Call emergency services for chest pain, fainting, or sudden severe breathlessness. If a close relative had heart failure or sudden death when young, ask about screening even if you feel fine.
General guidance, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, see a doctor.
Questions to ask your doctor
- ?Which tests confirm this and show how my heart is pumping?
- ?Could this be inherited, and should my family be checked?
- ?What exercise and daily activity are safe for me?
- ?What everyday signs mean my heart is getting worse?
- ?What symptoms mean I should seek emergency care?
- ?How often will you review me?
What to note before your visit
- ·when symptoms started and how they change with activity
- ·family history of heart failure or sudden death
- ·any swelling, fainting, or palpitations
- ·current medicines you take
Test yourself
0/4 answered4 quick questions on Dilated cardiomyopathy. Tap an answer to check it.
Across the gene set (LMNA, , MYH7, TNNI3, TNNT2), 150 -'' are actually seen in South Asians () - many European-absent and still clinically 'uncertain'. For cardiomyopathy, that's a pool of computationally-damaging, India-relevant, clinically-unresolved variants no one has systematically characterised.
A study that would help: Take the South-Asian-observed, European-absent, ClinVar-uncertain in LMNA, , MYH7, TNNI3, TNNT2 and them for : functional or family segregation to move them from 'uncertain' to a real call. Each is a usable diagnostic result.