Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on December 18, 1997 at 18:17:30:

In Reply to: Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy posted by Lavonna Doddd on December 16, 1997 at 12:19:42:

: Diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy caused by viral infection. Medication includes Capoten and Lasix. Exercise was stressed as a vital part of my health program. Please give me added research on medication including alternative methods with life expectancy rates.

Dear Lavonna,
Just an addendum to the previous answer in case by alternative therapies you meant any treatment available. There is heart transplant available for end-stage(those who are failing medical therapy)dilated cardiomyopathy, however not all patients are candidates for this
procedure and of course you must know that there are not enough donor hearts for the many patients awaiting transplantation. The Cleveland Clinic is a heart transplant center, should this ever be a consideration by you or your physician you can call 1-800-CCF-CARE and ask for
an appointment with one the heart failure specialists such as Dr.Starling or Dr. Young. Again heart transplantation is a procedure done for those patients not responding to medical therapy, and certainly it is not a cure.