dilated cardiomyopathy

disease

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a cardiac disease that impairs the heart's pumping ability, leading to heart failure. It is characterized by an enlarged heart with stretched ventricles and atria. The left ventricle weakens, affecting its ability to contract and fill, which causes fluid retention and eventual heart failure.1

This condition can be caused by a preceding heart attack or exposure to toxins like alcohol or certain medications. Other forms of cardiomyopathy include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where heart muscle fibers grow abnormally, and restrictive cardiomyopathy, where scar tissue stiffens the heart. Treatment focuses on identifying underlying causes and managing heart failure symptoms, with heart transplantation being an option in severe cases.1

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cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, the most common type of the disease, is characterized by an enlarged heart with stretching of the ventricle (lower chamber) and atrium (upper chamber). The left ventricle, which pumps oxygenated blood to the body tissues, shows weakness in contraction (systolic dysfunction) and stiffness…
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Dilated cardiomyopathy, the most common type of the disease, is characterized by an enlarged heart with stretching of the ventricle (lower chamber) and atrium (upper chamber). The left ventricle, which pumps oxygenated blood to the body tissues, shows weakness in contraction (systolic dysfunction) and stiffness…
Read More

Doberman Pinscher
Care and upkeep
…to a breed-specific form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) that affects the heart’s ability to contract correctly, which can lead to death. A DNA test for the gene associated with DCM is available but suffers from both false positives and false negatives. Dogs between one and two years of age should…
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…to a breed-specific form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) that affects the heart’s ability to contract correctly, which can lead to death. A DNA test for the gene associated with DCM is available but suffers from both false positives and false negatives. Dogs between one and two years of age should…
Read More