Can DCM be cured?
At present there is no cure for DCM, but treatments are available to help control your symptoms and prevent complications. Your treatment will depend on how your heart is affected and what symptoms you have. For some people, a number of other conditions can develop as a result of having DCM.
Can you live a normal life with DCM?
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common condition, and the majority of affected people remain well and have few or no symptoms. Research has shown that, with proper treatment and follow-up, most people with the condition live a normal life.
Are grain-free diets bad for dogs?
Leaving grains out of your dog’s diet, however, might be a far greater health risk than keeping them in. According to a warning from the Food and Drug Administration released last week, grain-free food might be giving dogs a life-threatening heart problem called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM.
What are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy DCM?
Symptoms of DCM can happen at any age and may include: Shortness of breath. Swelling of your legs. Fatigue. Weight gain. Fainting. Palpitations (fluttering in the chest due to abnormal heart rhythms)
When do most people get diagnosed with DCM?
The incidence of DCM is expected to rise with an ageing population. 2 3 Most patients are first diagnosed in their 50s; DCM is uncommon before the age of 40
Can a person with DCM live a normal life?
An ICD – if you are at risk of having a life threatening abnormal heart rhythm. DCM is a common form of cardiomyopathy and research has shown that with proper treatment and follow-up, most people with the condition live a normal life. Read Simon Morgan’s story of living with dilated cardiomyopathy.
What happens to the heart of a dog with DCM?
The heart muscle becomes weak and decreases its ability to effectively oxygenate and pump blood through the dog’s body. Additionally, the heart muscle enlarges and causes fluid buildup in the lungs.
Symptoms of DCM can happen at any age and may include: Shortness of breath. Swelling of your legs. Fatigue. Weight gain. Fainting. Palpitations (fluttering in the chest due to abnormal heart rhythms)
The heart muscle becomes weak and decreases its ability to effectively oxygenate and pump blood through the dog’s body. Additionally, the heart muscle enlarges and causes fluid buildup in the lungs.
What kind of test is done to find out if you have DCM?
Your doctor will decide if you have DCM after looking at things like: Another test that’s rarely done to find the cause of cardiomyopathy is called a myocardial biopsy, or heart biopsy. A tissue sample is taken from the heart and examined under a microscope.
Is it possible for DCM to go away on its own?
The symptoms caused by DCM will not go away on their own and are potentially life threatening. It a common misconception that taurine deficiency is the primary cause for DCM.
