Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
One love, one heart, one destiny - Bob Marley
image by: Anitaa Kumarr
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Words of a Weak heart
If you’ll search about DCM on Internet, you will see lot of information regarding causes, symptoms and treatments of DCM, but I do not want to get into those technicalities here, I only intend to share my experience about how I felt after knowing that I have DCM at such an early age and how I managed my mind and body.
The following are a few key points which helped me to return to normal life in around an year: Yes, its a heart failure, but its not painful. No surgery required in most of the cases. Yes, not treatable but manageable. Yes, need to slow down but not stop. Yes, lot of medicines, but life feels normal otherwise. Yes, not running but you can walk. If diagnosed at early…
Resources
What's It Like To Grow Up Around Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
As it is announced that George Michael died of Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Naomi Pike shares how her father's same diagnosis impacted her life.
Causes and consequences of dilated cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as the presence of left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions (hypertension, valvular disease) or coronary artery disease sufficient to cause global systolic impairment . The clinical definition of DCM is based solely on abnormal cardiac structure and function. DCM is treated as a monomorphic disease through standard heart failure therapy with the aim to restore cardiac function.
Current Pathophysiological and Genetic Aspects of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common cardiomyopathies causing heart failure (HF) worldwide. Although it is less common than coronary artery disease (CAD), it affects mainly young adults and presents the most frequent reason for cardiac transplantation in young age.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a clinical diagnosis characterized by left ventricular or biventricular dilation and impaired contraction that is not explained by abnormal loading conditions (for example, hypertension and valvular heart disease) or coronary artery disease. Mutations in several genes can cause DCM, including genes encoding structural components of the sarcomere and desmosome. Nongenetic forms of DCM can result from different aetiologies, including inflammation of the myocardium due to an infection (mostly viral)...
Dilated cardiomyopathy in the era of precision medicine: latest concepts and developments
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an umbrella term entailing a wide variety of genetic and non-genetic etiologies, leading to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and dilatation, not explained by abnormal loading conditions or coronary artery disease. The clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic to heart failure symptoms or sudden cardiac death (SCD) even in previously asymptomatic individuals. In the last 2 decades, there has been striking progress in the understanding of the complex genetic basis of DCM, with the discovery of additional genes and genotype–phenotype correlation studies.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: the disease that killed George Michael – explained
There are many causes of DCM. It may come about as a side effect of infectious diseases affecting other parts of the body (such as Chagas disease), a reaction to toxins (for example, poisoning by mercury or lead) or a response to alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to these causes, DCM can also be inherited by one or both parents transmitting a mutant version of a particular gene. It is estimated that between one-third and one-half of DCM cases are inherited.
Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
I have lived for 14 years with cardiomyopathy. I only take coreg 75 mg. a day, and digoxin, and lead a very normal life. I never even thought about death. My EF was 20% in 2001,within 2 months it was 38%. Coreg and a good doctor saved my life. I have never been in the hospital again, and I don't have any implants etc. Never give up, you can heal yourself by just not accepting the things that doctors tell you.
Living with dilated cardiomyopathy
Finding out he had dilated cardiomyopathy prompted Simon Morgan to live life to the full. Doireann Maddock hears his story.
Paul's DCM Story
Because my heart was physically so large, it took a few nano-seconds longer for the signal for my heart beat to travel from one side to the other. Consequently, one side was slightly out of synchronisation with the other. I was advised to have a 3-wire pacemaker fitted.
Tests begin on stem cell cure for rare heart disease
Cardiologists hope new treatment can prolong the lives of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Words of a Weak heart
“Weak Heart”, true to its literal meaning, as few years back I discovered that my heart had gone weak. It was a discovery aka diagnosis that only 25% of my heart is functional. I was told that I had gone through a heart failure, termed as Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
DCM Foundation
Formed in 2017 by a DCM Patient and a noted Heart Failure Cardiologist and DCM Genetic Researcher, the DCM Foundation’s mission is to provide HOPE and support to DCM Patients and Families with Dilated Cardiomyopathy through education, research and advocacy.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Research Project
We aim to advance our understanding of the genetics of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by combining clinical and genetic information from a large number of families.
Cove Point Foundation
The cause of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (also known as Congestive Cardiomyopathy) is not known, though it sometimes results from a viral infection, cancer chemotherapy and is sometimes inherited. It may be associated with the genetic disorder known as Barth Syndrome.
MedicineNet
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened; this causes a decreased ejection fraction (the amount of blood pumped out with each heart beat). In some cases, it prevents the heart from relaxing and filling with blood as it should. Over time, it can affect the other heart chambers as well.
Radiology Key
DCM is the most common of the cardiomyopathies, accounting for approximately 55% of cases, and responsible for greater than 90% of cases referred to specialty centers.3 Idiopathic DCM is the most common cause of congestive heart failure in young patients...
Radiopaedia
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as left ventricular chamber dilation with decreased systolic function (FEVG <40%) in the absence of coronary artery disease or conditions that impose a chronic pressure overload. There may also be right ventricular dysfunction. Causes are related to intrinsic myocardial damage.
StatPearls
The majority of cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) present between the ages of 20 and 60; however, DCM can be seen in children or the elderly. A large number of patients with DCM may have a long latent period where they are clinically asymptomatic.
Thoracic Key
The clinical presentation of an individual with DCM is typically with symptoms and signs of HF, regardless of the etiology of the DCM. The prognosis for individuals with DCM has improved as treatment has evolved to include many medications as well as electrophysiology devices and surgical therapies. Despite medical progress, the prevalence of DCM will continue to grow, since this is the common final stage of many cardiovascular diseases. This chapter describes the causes of DCM and general treatment options.
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