What is Dialated cardial myopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the heart muscle. There are four main types of cardiomyopathy:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy - where the heart dilates (enlarges).
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - where the heart muscle becomes thickened ('hypertrophied').
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy - where the heart muscle cannot relax properly between heartbeats. This is rare.
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular - a rare type which mainly affects the right side of the heart.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

In this condition the heart muscle is weakened. The ventricles then dilate (enlarge) as their muscular walls are weaker and more 'floppy' than normal. Therefore, the heart does not pump blood as strongly as normal.

(Note: other common heart conditions can cause a dilated heart. For example, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and heart valve disease. These conditions can put a 'strain' on the heart which may cause the heart to dilate. With dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart dilates because of a problem or disease of the heart muscle itself.)

About 2 in 10, 000 people in the UK develop dilated cardiomyopathy each year. People at any age and either sex may be affected.

First answer by ID1376868030. Last edit by ID1376868030. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]