.Viral infections, genetic disorders, and some hormonal disorders are common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Shortness of breath and fatigue are often the first symptoms.
Electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy.
Doctors try to treat the cause of this cardiomyopathy, usually by giving medications.
Cardiomyopathy refers to progressive impairment of the structure and function of the muscular walls of the heart chambers. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy. In addition to dilated cardiomyopathy, there are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes a group of heart disorders in which the walls of the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) thicken (hypertrophy) and become stiff. Most cases... read more 
and restrictive cardiomyopathy Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Restrictive cardiomyopathy includes a group of heart disorders in which the walls of the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) become stiff, but not necessarily thickened, and resist... read more (see also Overview of Cardiomyopathy Overview of Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy refers to progressive impairment of the structure and function of the muscular walls of the heart chambers. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: Dilated cardiomyopathy... read more 
).
The term cardiomyopathy is used only when a disorder directly affects the heart muscle. Other heart disorders, such as coronary artery disease and heart valve disorders, also can eventually cause the ventricles to enlarge, leading to heart failure Symptoms Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or... read more . However, doctors do not classify the heart muscle problems caused by those disorders as cardiomyopathies.
Dilated cardiomyopathy can develop at any age but is more common in adults younger than about 50 years of age. About 10% of people who develop dilated cardiomyopathy are older than 65. In the United States, the disorder occurs in about 3 times as many men as women and in 3 times as many people with African ancestry as White people. About 5 to 8 of every 100,000 people develop dilated cardiomyopathy each year.
Causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy are
Viral infections
Genetic disorders (genetic factors play a role in 20 to 35% of cases)
Some viral infections can cause an acute inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis Myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of the muscle tissue of the heart (myocardium) that causes tissue death. Myocarditis may be caused by many disorders, including infection, toxins and drugs that affect... read more ). When inflammation damages the heart's pumping ability, the disorder is called viral cardiomyopathy. In North America, infection with coxsackie B virus is the most common cause of viral cardiomyopathy. HIV infection Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and is treated with antiretroviral medications. If untreated, it can cause... read more 
also can cause cardiomyopathy. In other parts of the world, other viral infections are more common causes. Occasionally, dilated cardiomyopathy results from a bacterial infection, such as Chagas disease Chagas Disease Chagas disease is an infection caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by the bite of a kissing bug (also called an assassin or Triatominae bug). The protozoa ... read more 
.
The virus or bacteria infects and often weakens the heart muscle. As a result, the heart cannot pump as forcefully. The damaged heart muscle is replaced by fibrous (scar) tissue. The heart muscle then stretches resulting in enlargement of the heart chambers and reduced pumping ability. After that point, heart failure Heart Failure (HF) Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or... read more develops.
Other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy include
Certain chronic hormonal disorders such as long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Symptoms of diabetes may... read more or poorly controlled thyroid disease Overview of the Thyroid Gland The thyroid is a small gland, measuring about 2 inches (5 centimeters) across, that lies just under the skin below the Adam’s apple in the neck. The two halves (lobes) of the gland are connected... read more
Use of alcohol Alcohol Use Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant (it slows down brain and nervous system functioning). Consuming large amounts rapidly or regularly can cause health problems, including organ damage, coma,... read more (when intake is heavy and undernutrition is also present), cocaine, some antidepressants, some antipsychotic drugs, and a few chemotherapy drugs
Rare causes of dilated cardiomyopathy include pregnancy (peripartum cardiomyopathy Peripartum cardiomyopathy Most women who have heart disease—including certain heart valve disorders (such as mitral valve prolapse) and some birth defects of the heart—can safely give birth to healthy children, without... read more ), iron overload Overview of Iron Overload Iron is essential for life, so the body usually tightly controls iron absorption from food and recycles the iron from red blood cells. People lose small amounts of iron every day, and even a... read more , sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is a disease in which abnormal collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) form in many organs of the body. Sarcoidosis usually develops in people aged 20 to 40 years, most often... read more 
, and connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis in which joints, usually including those of the hands and feet, are inflamed, resulting in swelling, pain, and often destruction of joints.... read more 
, systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder that can involve joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls. Problems in the... read more 
(lupus), and systemic sclerosis Systemic Sclerosis Systemic sclerosis is a rare, chronic autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by degenerative changes and scarring in the skin, joints, and internal organs and by blood vessel abnormalities... read more 
. Extreme stress can also sometimes cause a type of dilated cardiomyopathy called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, stress cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome.
When no specific cause can be identified, the disorder is called an idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Usually, the first symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy are becoming short of breath during exertion and tiring easily. These symptoms result from a weakening of the heart’s pumping action, which is called heart failure Heart Failure (HF) Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or... read more . Some people have chest pain.
When cardiomyopathy results from an infection, the first symptoms may be a sudden fever and flu-like symptoms.
Complications
Heart failure Heart Failure (HF) Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or... read more can develop whatever the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, if the heart damage is severe enough. With heart failure, the fluid is retained in the legs and abdomen (causing swelling), and the lungs fill with fluid (causing shortness of breath with physical activity and while lying flat). With severe heart failure, blood pressure can be low due to the weakness of the heart.
Heart valve problems Overview of Heart Valve Disorders Heart valves regulate the flow of blood through the heart's four chambers—two small, round upper chambers (atria) and two larger, cone-shaped lower chambers (ventricles). Each ventricle has... read more 
may develop. Because the heart is enlarged, the heart valves may be unable to close normally and often allow blood to leak back into the heart chamber rather than flowing into the next blood vessel or chamber (called regurgitation Overview of Heart Valve Disorders Heart valves regulate the flow of blood through the heart's four chambers—two small, round upper chambers (atria) and two larger, cone-shaped lower chambers (ventricles). Each ventricle has... read more ). The valves most often affected are the mitral valve, which is positioned between the left atrium (upper heart chamber) and the left ventricle (lower heart chamber), and the tricuspid valve, which is positioned between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Leakage causes heart murmurs, which doctors can hear with a stethoscope.
Abnormal heart rhythms Overview of Abnormal Heart Rhythms Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are sequences of heartbeats that are irregular, too fast, too slow, or conducted via an abnormal electrical pathway through the heart. Heart disorders are... read more 
(arrhythmias) can result from damage to and stretching of the heart muscle. Arrhythmias may cause sensation of irregular heartbeats (palpitations), shortness of breath, or sudden death. The leakage of the valves and the abnormal heart rhythms may interfere further with the heart’s pumping action.
Blood clots may form on heart chamber walls because blood can pool in the enlarged heart, particularly when the ventricles are very dilated and poorly contracting. The clots can break into pieces (becoming emboli), travel from the heart to blood vessels elsewhere in the body, and block them, causing damage to the organ they supply. If the blood supply to the brain is blocked, a stroke Overview of Stroke A stroke occurs when an artery to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures, resulting in death of an area of brain tissue due to loss of its blood supply (cerebral infarction). Symptoms occur suddenly... read more can result.
Diagnosis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Imaging tests such as echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart
Sometimes, a biopsy of the heart muscle
Sometimes, testing for the cause and/or complications
The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy is based on the person's symptoms, the results of a physical examination, and additional tests. Doctors look for other causes of a dilated heart, such as a previous heart attack, chronic high blood pressure, or a damaged heart valve.
Blood tests for common viruses that can cause dilated cardiomyopathy are done when doctors suspect infection as a cause.
Electrocardiography (ECG) may detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the heart. However, these abnormalities are usually not sufficient evidence for a diagnosis.
Because genetic disorders may cause dilated cardiomyopathy, family members may also be tested.
Imaging of the heart
Echocardiography Echocardiography and Other Ultrasound Procedures Ultrasonography uses high-frequency (ultrasound) waves bounced off internal structures to produce a moving image. It uses no x-rays. Ultrasonography of the heart (echocardiography) is one of... read more 
, which uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart, is the most useful procedure because it can show both the size and pumping action of the heart.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Heart With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a powerful magnetic field and radio waves are used to produce detailed images of the heart and chest. This expensive and sophisticated procedure is used... read more (MRI), which produces very detailed images of the heart, is more often being used to confirm the diagnosis (and sometimes identify the cause).
Biopsy and cardiac catheterization
If the diagnosis remains in doubt, cardiac catheterization Cardiac catheterization Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography are minimally invasive methods of studying the heart and the blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) without doing surgery. These... read more 
, an invasive procedure in which a catheter is threaded from a blood vessel in the arm, neck, or leg into the heart, can provide additional information about the pumping ability of the heart. During cardiac catheterization, doctors can also obtain a biopsy (remove a tissue sample from inside the heart for examination under a microscope), measure pressures in the heart chambers and exclude coronary artery disease.
Prognosis for Dilated Cardiomyopathy
The prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy varies considerably depending on many factors. In general, the prognosis worsens as the heart becomes more dilated and functions less well. Abnormal heart rhythms also indicate a worse prognosis. Overall, men survive only half as long as women, and people with African ancestry survive half as long as White people.
About 40 to 50% of deaths are sudden, probably resulting from an abnormal heart rhythm or an embolus that blocks blood flow in a critical area. Additional factors that influence the risk of death include the cause and severity of the cardiomyopathy, the person's age and ability to follow medical advice (including taking medications as directed, maintaining a low-salt diet, and attending scheduled follow-up health care appointments), and whether the person has access to specialized treatment. However, overall prognosis has improved with current treatments, especially with the introduction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and other interventions.
Treatment of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Medications
Sometimes, device therapy with a defibrillator and/or pacemaker
If possible, doctors treat the disorder that is causing the dilated cardiomyopathy. For example, immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids may be used to treat a connective tissue disorder that caused dilated cardiomyopathy.
General treatment measures include avoiding stress, limiting salt in the diet, and having periods of rest, which help reduce strain on the heart, particularly when the cardiomyopathy is acute or severe.
Medications for dilated cardiomyopathy
Medications used for heart failure Drug Treatment for Heart Failure Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or... read more , such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers, neprilysin inhibitors, aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone or eplerenone), sodium glucose cotransporter 2 protein (SGLT) inhibitors, the combination of hydralazine and nitrates, and ivabradine, improve the heart’s pumping function, prolong life, and help to decrease persistent symptoms.
Diuretics (drugs that increase urination) are used to reduce excess fluid in the lungs and decrease symptoms of swelling due to fluid retention, but they do not prolong life.
Digoxin may help the heart's pumping and decrease the number of hospitalizations for heart failure, but it does not prolong life.
Antiarrhythmic drugs may be given to treat abnormal heart rhythms. Most of these drugs are initially prescribed in small doses. Doses are increased in small increments because if the dose is too large, an antiarrhythmic drug may worsen heart rhythm abnormalities or depress pumping function.
Medications to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin or aspirin, may be used, particularly when ventricles are very dilated and contracting poorly.
Special precautions are needed when medications are given to women with peripartum cardiomyopathy because some of the medications usually used to treat cardiomyopathy may be absorbed into breast milk and harm nursing infants.
Device therapy
Some people have an abnormality of the electrical conduction in the heart, which can be helped by an artificial pacemaker Artificial Pacemakers There are many causes of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Some arrhythmias are harmless and do not need treatment. Sometimes arrhythmias stop on their own or with changes in lifestyle,... read more 
that stimulates first the atria and then both ventricles (cardiac resynchronization therapy). This type of pacemaker, when used in the right person, will help to return the contraction pattern of the heart toward normal and improve its function.
Doctors may also consider an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator pacemaker Cardioversion-Defibrillation There are many causes of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Some arrhythmias are harmless and do not need treatment. Sometimes arrhythmias stop on their own or with changes in lifestyle,... read more 
in patients with persistent poor heart function and an increased risk of arrhythmias leading to sudden death).
Heart transplantation
Heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy can be progressive and ultimately fatal. Because of this poor prognosis, dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common reason for heart transplantation Heart Transplantation Heart transplantation is the removal of a healthy heart from a recently deceased person and then its transfer into the body of a person who has a severe heart disorder that can no longer be... read more or mechanical heart support with a left ventricular assist device. Successful heart transplantation cures the disorder, but it has its own complications and limitations.
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
American Heart Association: Dilated cardiomyopathy: Provides comprehensive information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy
