Dilated Cardiomyopathy

A healthcare provider will start by taking your medical history and family history. They’ll perform a physical exam that may include listening to your lungs to check for fluid build-up. Your provider may hear a heart murmur before you even have symptoms.

Testing will determine the severity and help healthcare providers plan your dilated cardiomyopathy treatment.

What tests will be done to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy?

Tests you may need include:

Angiogram to look for narrow areas in your coronary arteries, which send blood to your heart
Blood tests like one that checks for heart damage
Chest X-ray to see if your heart looks larger than a typical heart
Echocardiogram to show how well your heart works
Electrocardiogram (EKG) to check for abnormal heart rhythms
Exercise stress test to see the impact of physical activity on your heart
Genetic testing to find out if you inherited cardiomyopathy
Heart MRI to show your ventricles’ size and function
Endomyocardial biopsy (rarely used to examine a tissue sample)

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.