Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is an issue with your heart muscle stretching out and becoming larger than usual. It starts in your heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle). In severe cases, it affects more areas of your heart.

With increased wall stress, the tissue in your left ventricle becomes enlarged and then thins. This causes it to pump with less force than it should. After each beat, more blood remains in your heart. This makes it increasingly difficult to keep up with your body’s needs.

Researchers estimate that 36 people per 100,000 in the general population have dilated cardiomyopathy.

Fortunately, treatments are available for this heart condition. And there are things you can do to help manage this condition.