Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Alternate Names : Dilated Congestive Cardiomyopathy
The heart is made up of muscle, valves, supporting structures, a conduction system and blood vessels. A cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle. This term is usually only used when the disease is inside the heart itself, and not due to high blood pressure, clogging of the arteries from atherosclerosis or heart valve problems. In dilated cardiomyopathy, one of the subtypes of this disease, the heart muscle becomes thin and flabby, and the heart becomes enlarged.
What is going on in the body?
This condition makes the heart unable to pump blood effectively. The thin, flabby heart muscle is weak and cannot function properly. This results in symptoms for the affected person.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Sometimes the condition is inherited. But in many cases, the cause is unknown. Other possible causes include:
infections of the heart muscle, such as myocarditis from a viral infection
alcohol dependence or cocaine abuse
certain chemotherapy medications used to treat cancer, such as doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide
exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, such as mercury, lead, and cobalt
diseases affecting the thyroid gland, such as hypothyroidism, or low thyroid
hormone levels in the body
an abnormally high secretion of growth hormone, also called acromegaly, during childhood
low levels of phosphate and calcium in the body
AIDS, due to HIV infection
deficiency of thiamine, one of the B-complex vitamins
autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which occur when a person's immune system attacks his or her own body
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