Cardiomyopathy (Dilated) (cont.)
What Lifestyle Changes Are Recommended?
Life style change can make a big difference in your heart health. Changes
which are recommended include:
- Diet. If heart failure is a problem, sodium (salt) should be
restricted to 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day. This diet should be continued even once
the symptoms abate.
- Exercise. Your doctor will tell you if you may
exercise or not. Most people with cardiomyopathy are encouraged to do
non-competitive aerobic exercise. Heavy weight lifting is not recommended.
What Surgical Options Are Used to Treat DCM?
People with severe disease may need one of the following treatment options:
- Cardiac resynchronization by biventricular pacemaker. For some individuals, stimulating (pacing) both
the right and left ventricles improves the heart's ability to contract with more force, thereby improving symptoms
and increasing the length of time you are able to exercise. You may be a candidate for this special pacemaker if
your electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram reveal specific characteristics, and you are still having symptoms
of heart failure although you're receiving optimal medical therapy. This pacemaker also will help people with
heart block or some bradycardias (slow heart rates).
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). ICDs are suggested for
people at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death. The ICD
constantly monitors the heart rhythm. When it detects a very fast, abnormal
heart rhythm, it delivers energy to the heart muscle to cause the heart to beat
in a normal rhythm again.
- Surgery such as conventional surgeries used to treat coronary artery
disease or valve disease may be used. Some individuals may be eligible for
surgical repair of the left ventricle or other devices.
- Heart transplant
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center
Edited by
Cynthia Haines, MD, October 2005, WebMD.
Portions of this page ©The
Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004
Last Editorial Review: 2/14/2005
- ACE Inhibitors - Read about ACE inhibitors like Altace, lisinopril, enalapril, ramparil, Zestril and more. Information includes side effects, drug interactions, and pregnancy safety information.
- Pneumococcal Vaccination - Learn about pneumococcal vaccination (pneumonia vaccine) recommendations and side effects, and find out who should and should not be vaccinated.
- Congestive Heart Failure - Read about congestive heart failure symptoms like fatigue, abdomen, leg and ankle swelling, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, increased urination, nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.
Latest Medical News
Heart RSS