Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (pronounced: di-lay-ted kar-dee-o-my-op-uh-thee) is a medical condition that primarily affects the heart's muscle.

Etymology

The term "Dilated Cardiomyopathy" is derived from three Greek words: "dilated" meaning expanded, "cardio" meaning heart, and "myopathy" meaning muscle disease.

Definition

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle where it becomes enlarged (dilated) and can't pump blood as efficiently as a healthy heart can. This often leads to heart failure, where the heart can't keep up with the body's demands for blood and oxygen.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy can include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, and irregular heartbeats.

Causes

The exact cause of Dilated Cardiomyopathy is often unknown. However, it can be caused by several factors including genetic predisposition, alcoholism, coronary artery disease, and viral infections of the heart.

Treatment

Treatment for Dilated Cardiomyopathy focuses on improving the heart's ability to pump blood, controlling symptoms, and slowing the disease's progression. This can include medications, pacemaker or defibrillator implantation, and in severe cases, heart transplant.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Wikipedia's article - Dilated Cardiomyopathy

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Dilated Cardiomyopathy