Dilated cardiomyopathy                 

If you have DCM, the left ventricle of your heart becomes dilated (stretched or ‘baggy’). As a result, the heart muscle becomes weak, thin or floppy and is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently.

This can lead to fluid building up in the lungs, ankles, abdomen and other organs of the body. This collection of symptoms is known as heart failure.

In most cases DCM develops slowly, so some people can have quite severe symptoms before they are diagnosed. The most common symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the ankles and abdomen
• Excessive tiredness
• Palpitations

The most common tests for cardiomyopathy are an ECG, which records the electrical activity of your heart, and an echocardiogram which show the pumping action of your heart. 

Your doctor may also arrange for you to have an exercise test, angiogram or MRI scan.

At present there is no cure for DCM, but treatments are available to help control your symptoms and prevent complications. Your treatment will depend on how your heart is affected and what symptoms you have.

You may need:

• Medicines – to help control your blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms or other symptoms you may have
• A Pacemaker – to control your heart rate
• An ICD – if you are at risk of having a life threatening abnormal heart rhythm.

DCM is a common form of cardiomyopathy and research has shown that with proper treatment and follow-up, most people with the condition live a normal life.

However, because there is a very small risk of getting a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm, a small proportion of people with DCM are at risk of sudden cardiac death. It’s important to discuss this risk with your doctor, who may offer medication or advise that you need to have an ICD fitted if you are at an increased risk.

You may have to make some small changes to manage with your symptoms, but you should be able to continue to work and drive an ordinary car for example

You will not be able to drive an HGV or commercial passenger vehicle however and you may have to reconsider manual jobs which involve strenuous activity. For more information and advice about living with dilated cardiomyopathy, download or order our booklet.