Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that occurs due to dilation
and dysfunction of ventricles. The proper understanding of etiology, pathogenesis can
help with determining better therapeutic options for the management of disease
complications. The various types of cardiomyopathy include restrictive
cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy,
arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Diabetes mellitus, genetic
conditions, high blood pressure, heart attack, palpitations, heart valve defects, and
pregnancy, smoking, alcohol, and connective tissue disorders are well known risk
factors for the development of cardiomyopathy. The clinical manifestations of
cardiomyopathy include palpitations, dizziness, headache, chest pain, shortness of
breath and edema. The electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, treadmill test,
coronary angiogram test can determine the cardiovascular risk. The clinical
management of cardiomyopathy with the prescribing pattern of beta blockers,
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, digoxin, angiotensin II receptor
blockers, anti-platelet medications can minimize the development of cardiomyopathy
complications.
Keywords: Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Heart Attack, High Blood Pressure,
Pregnancy, Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.