Heyy everyone!!
I recently had an echocardiogram that showed moderate to severe LV dilation- Ejection Fraction is 40-45 and mild LV depression. Also showed trace mitrial and tricuspid regurgitation and the anteroseptal wall is mildly hypokinetic. I have my follow up tomorrow and I've been so worried. Does this mean I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy? I've had bad kidneys for a while but always thought my heart was okay. Im 31 and have two little ones so I'm scared and new at this. Thanks in advance!
Hello. I couldn't say what your diagnosis would be, but just wondered have you read/heard something about dilated cardiomyopathy that makes you particularly worried that it might be that? The most important thing is that you and the doctors are aware of your heart issues and can start working towards treatments. It's not easy, I know, but I would try to focus on that rather than worrying about what the cause might be.
Hopefully you'll get some answers tomorrow. Have you written down everything you want to know? I always find that helpful - so hard to remember everything in that situation.
I was diagnosed with heart failure when I was 31. My ejection fraction was a good bit lower than yours and I'm still doing well six years later, if that reassures you any. Hope you feel a bit less anxious soon. All the best x
When I try and research dilated LV that's what comes up and I'm just so worried. What causes that? Is it really irreversible? I don't understand what could have damaged my heart like that. They tested me for inflammation and ANA stuff but its all negative which is great! It leaves me confused though. Did I have a heart attack? I remember an instance recently I thought was an asthma attack or something crazy, heart attack crossed my mind but I disregarded it due to my age and not having heart problems. Here I am 2 months later with heart problems. I know you don't have all my answers but any knowledge is appreciated, I'm still learning about all of this.
Heart failure at 31 sounds like a nightmare, it's been my constant worry for a week I can't imagine living it. God bless you. I'm happy to hear you're doing well 6 years later. That's amazing reassurance!!! Thank you. Xo
I've never discovered the cause of the damage to my heart either, which is frustrating, but main thing is that the damage is being treated. Definitely better to know if something is wrong.
Heart failure can't be cured (at present!) and that sounds so scary at first, but over time you realise that it can be managed and you can have a decent quality of life. I take a variety of medication and I have a device called a CRT-D, which works as a pacemaker, a defibrillator and a resynchroniser to make the two sides of my heart work in unison. I also do my best to live a healthy lifestyle.
I feel really positive about my heart and my life in general now but it took a lot of time and hard work to get to this point. It's really early days for you, so my advice would be to be kind to yourself, find out as much as you can (preferably from your doctor and not the internet!) and accept every offer of help/support. You will be scared and stressed to begin with, obviously, but it will get easier over time. Try not to self diagnose or worry about things that might never happen...and never ever ever ever type symptoms into Google again! 
Thank you so much! You're inspiring and admirable!! You have so much positivity, I even feel more positive. Thank you! And yeah I agree about google!! I always have something that'll kill me! Xoxo
I'd wait to see what the professionals say about diagnosis.
For info - I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy at age 31 following a bout of arrhythmia. 16 years on I feel as good as I did when I started treatment. There is no way to identify the exact cause (Virus, Lifestyle, Genes) but my dad had the same condition so it has been put down to the way I was built.
As Laura says. The important thing is that you are now aware and managing it.
I recon i am more healthy than some of my friends who are not taking any meds.
dilated cardiomyopathy
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