Living with dilated cardiomyopathy

[Sauceychip08]

Hi has anyone have advice on dilated cardiomyopathy I have had it fo a while but still don’t understand it . Can it shorten you life .

[Bekiebexs]

Hi Sauceychip

I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy 13 years ago.

I’m still here !

Chat to your cardiologist or research it .

I was in A&E good few years ago and they said “ you have an enlarged heart “

Nobody had ever explained that to me since I had been diagnosed.

Was a bit of a shock

I don’t worry about it now, I just take each day as it comes and try and enjoy as much as possible .

[DKLeeds]

When you go to see your cardiologist or heart nurse write down your questions the day before when you are calm. Then write down their answers. I found that helped.

[DaveTR]

Hi Sauceychip08,Welcome to the forum.

I was diagnosed 18 years ago and celebrated my 51st birthday last week.

My Consultant likened Dilated Cardiomyopathy to a body builder. The heart had been over doing it and bulked up. The meds tell the body to ease up.

The positive thing is that it has been identified and (hopefully) a successful treatment plan can be put in place.

I would ignore Dr Google and use resources mentioned in previous posts like the British Heart Foundation, Cardiopathy.org, your GP and of course your consultant.

It's worth remembering we're all different and what works for one might not work for another.

[Shar28]

Hello..My husband has Dilated Cardiomyopathy too. I’d second the suggestion to look at the Cardiomyopathy UK and BHF websites. The first has a really useful info pack they can post out to you. Both have fantastic nurse helplines.

[Sauceychip08 in reply to Shar28]

Thanks for all the feedback I will us the sites you have mentioned thanks