Dilated cardiomyopathy?

I was recently diagnosed with this condition and it is termed "idiopathic" or unknown in origin. I am 33 years old and don't smoke. I also have fibromyalgia. I was hoping someone could give me some idea as to what I can look forward to as far as symptoms and warning signs so I don't call the dr or go to the er for no reason. Also, what questions should I ask the cardiologist so I am not wasting his time on things I don't need to know.

I forgot to ask about energy levels...I have 0 energy. I am on Lotensin, Lopressor, Plavix, aspirin and Hydroxyzine.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is when your heart chambers are larger than they should be. Since they are wider, they dont stretch as much when blood fills the heart, and because of this the heart doesn't pump as effectively ( This is known as the Frank starling law of the heart Increased stretch equals increased output). Report any increased shortness of breath or pulsing from the veins in your neck to your doctor. If you get a persistent cough with frothy sputum go to the doctor right away. Take medications as prescribed. Often doctors will prescribe medications that make the heart pump more effectively. Good luck

You should have a frank chat with your cardiologist about this. You need to find out what signs warrant an ER visit, what you can do to help your cardiomyopathy, what medicines you will have to take. Should you have a cardiac catheterization or not, stress testing, expected outcomes, expected changes. How often will an echocardiogram and EKG need to be done? There are a lot of other things that need to be covered, but only a doctor can cover those since this field is constantly changing. Good Luck and hope all goes well.

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/h...

http://www.ptca.org/forumtopics/topic033...

http://goldbamboo.com/topic-t2694.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=RjtvWe5...

Here is a few links that might be helpful......

You probably never had fibromyalgia all your sysmptoms were most likely related to your heart condition. You need to make sure that you weigh yourself daily and report a gain of 3-5lbs in a week or less to your dr. , watch for shortness of breathe eso if you notice you are not able to tolerate the same activty you were tolerating, watch your sodium intake and for swelling/edema. you most likely are a canidate for a pacemaker and/or defibrillator. what is the strenght of you heart this is called the ejection fraction. below 40%??? normal is about 60-70% , this is the amount of blood that is pumped out of your heart with each contraction. oh and you might want to get a new cardiologist one that cares and is educating you. you are only 33!!!!!!!!!!!! i am a cardiology nurse 8 yrs experiance.

Hey there. Just some suggestions on things you need to know or follow closely with a cardiomyopathy... You should keep up with your "EF or Ejection Fraction" this is how strong your heart muscle is.. a normal EF is 60-65%. Yours is probably much lower than that, which is how you ended up with your diagnosis. After you've been on your heart medications for 3 months, you should ask for a repeat echocardiogram to reassess your EF. It may improve on medical therapy. You look like you are on the appropriate medicines for heart failure. Be sure to take your medicines as ordered.

Warning signs that you need to see your doctor sooner would be:
- a significant weight gain (greater than 2-3 pounds overnight, weigh yourself at the same time daily). Your doctor may put you on Lasix or other water pill occassionally to help get rid of extra fluid.
- Worsening shortness of breath, swelling in your lower legs (push in and see if you have a deep indentation that "stays" for a bit)
-a smothering feeling when lying flat
-palpitations which last for a prolonged period of time.
-dizziness which is severe or blackouts (same day appointment or maybe ER visit)

If your heart function does NOT improve on medical therapy, and your EF remains very low, you may be referred to another specialist called an electrophysiologist. These guys put in devices called AICDs or ICDs (similar to pacemakers) to prevent deadly heart rhythms. People with very weak heart muscles are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death.

Hope this helps.

http://www.cardiomyopathy.org/index.php?...

It is unfortunate that you have this. Causes are not known too well. There is no cure for this.
Medication can minimize problems or aggravation. Some recover spontaneously. In severe cases a heart transplant may be needed.