Whatever the cause, the clinical and pathological manifestations of dilated cardiomyopathy are usually the same.

Symptoms

Dilated cardiomyopathy can be present for several years without causing significant symptoms. With time, however, the enlarged heart gradually weakens.

This condition is commonly called "," and it is the hallmark of dilated cardiomyopathy. Typical signs and symptoms of heart failure include: fatigue; weakness; shortness of breath, sometimes severe and accompanied by a cough, particularly with exertion or when lying down; and swelling of the legs and feet, resulting from fluid accumulation that may also affect the lungs (congestion) and other parts of the body. It also produces abnormal weight gain. (The cough and congestion mimic and, therefore, can be misdiagnosed as pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Also, heart failure is often from heart disease other than cardiomyopathy.)

Because of the congestion, some physicians use the older term "congestive cardiomyopathy" to refer to dilated cardiomyopathy. In advanced stages of the disease, the congestion may cause pain in the chest or abdomen.

In advanced stages, some patients develop irregular heartbeats, which can be serious and even life threatening.

Diagnosis

Once symptoms appear, the condition may be tentatively diagnosed based on a physical examination and a patient's medical history. More often, though, further examination is needed to differentiate dilated cardiomyopathy from other causes of heart failure.

A firm diagnosis typically requires a chest x ray to show whether the heart is enlarged, an to reveal any abnormal electrical activity of the heart, and an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce pictures of the heart.

Treatment

Therapy begins with the elimination of obvious risk factors, such as alcohol consumption. Weight loss and dietary changes, especially salt restriction, may also be advised.

Drugs used to treat the condition include:

• Diuretics, which reduce excess fluid in the body;
  
  
• Vasodilators, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which relax blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure and reducing the effort needed by the heart to pump blood through the body;
  
  
• Digitalis, which helps to improve pumping action and regulate heartbeat; and,
  
  
• IVIG has been shown effective in several studies.

• Homeopathic Cratagus and Herbal Cratagus very effective