Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (IDC)

What is idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC)?

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is a disease that results in an enlarged heart that does not pump properly. It is the most common reason people get heart transplants.

IDC causes the heart chambers to dilate (expand). The heart itself may become very large. The pumping of the heart gets weaker, and the circulation of blood slows down.

How does it occur?

The cause is not known. Because IDC tends to run in families, sometimes it may be inherited. Virus infections of the heart muscle or an allergic response to some irritant could be other causes.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms may include:

• shortness of breath with physical activity
• waking from sleep feeling short of breath
• swelling of the legs or ankles.

How is it treated?

Because the heart can get too weak to circulate the blood properly, the most common problem is heart failure. Treatment is directed at controlling heart failure. You may take medicines that make your heart muscle pump more normally. You may also take diuretics (water pills) to help reduce swelling in your legs. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you change your physical activity and the amount of salt you eat.

Drugs can be used to help your heart pump better and improve your circulation. Medicines called beta blockers may strengthen the heart muscle if taken consistently for at least several months. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a drug called a vasodilator. Vasodilators make the blood vessels open up. The increased size of the blood vessels lets more blood flow through them. This lowers blood pressure slightly so the heart does not have to work as hard. Vasodilators usually reduce symptoms.

Besides heart failure, the poor circulation caused by IDC can cause blood clots to form in the heart, break off, and float in the bloodstream. These clots can clog the flow of blood in an artery. This may cause a stroke. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a blood thinner (anticoagulant). Blood thinners help to keep blood clots from forming and help prevent strokes.

You may have heart rhythm problems that need to be treated, or you may have a high risk for serious heart rhythm problems. In this case, a device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be needed to treat or prevent abnormal heart rhythms. Sometimes a special pacemaker that helps coordinate the beating of the heart can help.

A heart transplant (cardiac transplantation) may be an option for people with ICD who have severe symptoms that are not getting better with medicines.

How long will the effects last?

The chances for recovery for people with IDC are getting better. Some people get better without treatment. For the rest, the disease may get better after several months of taking medicines. Or it may get worse quickly or slowly, or it may not change for a long time.

How can I help take care of myself?

• See your healthcare provider as often as recommended. Your provider will want to see you often to make sure your medicines are working well.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt.
• Ask your healthcare provider about exercise and follow his or her recommendations.
• Do not smoke.

Call your provider right away if:

• You suddenly gain a lot of weight gain in just a few days.
• Your legs or ankles become swollen.
• You are getting more and more short of breath when you are physically active.
• You are getting a lot bruises or having a lot of nosebleeds and are taking a blood thinner.

Written by Donald L. Warkentin, MD.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.