Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
The Condition.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease that stretches and thins the heart muscle, potentially resulting in the heart becoming too weak to pump blood around the body effectively. About one-third of DCM cases are inherited. If a parent has DCM their child will have a 50:50 chance of inheriting the condition. The genetics associated with DCM are not as established as with some other conditions, so family screening and thorough assessment at an Inherited Cardiac Condition (ICC) Clinic is crucial.
Common Symptoms.
Patients with DCM often have quite severe symptoms before they are diagnosed, as the condition can develop slowly. Symptoms to be aware of include:
Shortness of breath
Feeling of continued tiredness
Heart palpitations
Swelling of abdomen and ankles
Unfortunately, in some cases the first sign or symptom of a heart condition can be a sudden cardiac arrest. If somebody becomes unconscious and is not breathing, call 999, start CPR immediately and ask someone to go and get a defibrillator.
Common Testing.
In order to diagnose DCM, a cardiologist is likely to carry out an ECG, echocardiogram and MRI scan.
How is it treated.
There is currently no cure for DCM, but cardiologists can use a number of treatments to help control symptoms and prevent any complications, including medication to prevent heart failure. Treatment is likely to be determined by the extent to which the pumping action of the heart has become affected.
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Jay’s AIM supports the work of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). CRY holds cardiac screening sessions in locations all over the UK; these sessions are unique for offering an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram, when needed, on the same day. The sessions are free to attend for anyone between the ages of 14 and 35. Crucially, any abnormalities highlighted at a screening session must be followed up with thorough assessment and screening at an Inherited Cardiac Condition (ICC) Clinic.