Cardiomyopathy (Dilated) (cont.)
What Causes DCM?
DCM can be inherited (familial DCM), but it is primarily caused by a variety of other factors, including:
It can also occur in women after childbirth (postpartum cardiomyopathy).
Most cases of DCM are idiopathic (an exact cause is not known). When that's the case, the condition is called idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy or dilated nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
How Is DCM Diagnosed?
DCM is diagnosed based on medical history (your symptoms and family history), physical exam, and tests: such as blood tests, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, exercise stress test, cardiac catheterization, CT scan, and MRI.
Another test rarely done to determine the cause of a cardiomyopathy is a myocardial biopsy, or heart biopsy, where a tissue sample is taken from the heart and examined under a microsope to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Relatives of those with familial DCM should be screened for DCM. Testing would be the same as mentioned above (medical history, physical exam, ECG, echocardiogram, etc.). Genetic testing may also be available to identify abnormal genes.