Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart disease in which the myocardium is affected - the heart cavities are stretched, while its walls do not increase.

For the first time this term was introduced by V. Brigden in 1957, under which he had in mind primary myocardial disturbances caused by unknown causes. However, over time, medicine has developed, and today the physicians know the etiology of some types of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy

Often, dilated cardiomyopathy refers to primary myocardial lesions, but at the same time, there is also secondary dilated cardiomyopathy. The setting of a specific diagnosis depends on whether the disease is associated with congenital heart disease anomalies or whether the disease was acquired due to other pathologies.

Despite the fact that the prevalence of dilated cardiopathy is not known precisely due to problems with diagnosis (this is due to the lack of clear criteria for determining the disease), some authors call the estimated figures: for example, of 100,000 people per year, DCM can develop in about 10 people. Men are 3 times more likely to suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy than women, with an age of 30 to 50 years.

Clinical manifestations are not always mandatory for this disease, but certain symptoms, however, are characteristic of DCMP:

Causes of dilated cardiomyopathy

A 100% cause causing dilated cardiomyopathy is still unknown, but medicine already knows that viral infections play an important role in such violations of the myocardium. If a person often suffers from viral diseases, the chance of developing DCMP increases several times.

Also in the role of the development of dilated cardiomyopathy genetic data of the patient are often involved - if relatives had a similar pathology, then this is a weighty factor that suggests a tendency to the disease.

Another reason that can cause DCMP is autoimmune processes.

The above pathologies do not always lead to myocardial damage. There are a number of diseases that most often cause dilated cardiomyopathy:

It should also be noted that idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with genes, in particular their mutation, and occurs in about 20% of cases.

Treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is treated as well as heart failure:

All medicines are prescribed individually, depending on the symptoms of the disease.

With this disease, moderate exercise, a nutritious diet and a ban on alcohol use are useful, since it reduces the concentration of thiamine, which can promote the development of dialytic cardiomyopathy.

Treatment of folk remedies with dilated cardiomyopathy

When using folk remedies for treatment, you must first agree with your doctor.

With DCMC, it is very useful to use viburnum and flax seeds , as well as kefir and carrot juice. These products strengthen the heart muscles, which favorably affects the course of the disease.

Prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy

The prognosis of the disease is unfavorable for 70% of patients, and ends with a lethal outcome within 7 years. Nevertheless, there is hope of saving life and health even in such cases, and therefore, if dilated cardiomyopathy is detected, complications should be prevented as soon as possible.