Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Enlarged Heart, Heart musle desease.

[faith16]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy 21 months ago. I've been on 2 medications ever since, Carvedilol (Coreg) 6.25mg; and Losartan Potassium ( Cozaar ) 50mg. My condition was caused by heavy drinking ( Alcohol ). I've been sober for 21 months now, ever since I was diagnosed. I'm so happy and relieved that my doctor says that it getting better. I'm feeling better, because the medication are working for me. My concern is, will my heart. Enlargement go back to normal size?

[DonnieSC]

I was also diagnosed with dialated cardiomyopathy years ago. Finally after a second time by another cardiologist referring me to a arrhythmia doctor, i was talked into a double lead ICD implant. I have had it over 3 years now with no shocks or anything and doing great. My injection fraction has even doubled. Although I do have a family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, I do think alcohol  might have been a problem with me also. Smoking doesn't help either! I just wish I had made the nessecary lifestyle changes(along with medication)before having my ICD implant. They said my heart would never be normal size again, but it is normal size now. Just watch the alcohol!

[kenkeith]

Yes, the left ventical can return to normal size if the dilated chamber's underlying cause is successfully treated.  About 7 years ago, I had an enlarged Left Ventrical ischemia (vessel blood flow reduced) and high blood pressure that overworked the heart. Therapy was/is medication to increase the blood flow by reducing blood pressure,and an RCA vessel implant increased blood flow to an area deficit of blood supply

Relevant consideration depends on a history of excessive alcohol consumption and the absence of any other known cause of cardiomyopathy. For some insight, there are three stages of alcoholic cardiomyopathy: preclinical (no symptoms), acute, and chronic. The preclinical and acute stages are usually reversible when alcohol abuse is discontinued, except in cases of sudden congestive heart failure or acute heart muscle degeneration.

Your medication treats high blood pressure and stablizes the heart rate.  That is the same treatment I was given.  A reduction in blood pressure will help to reduce the heart's workload...the relief from the overworked condition can/will help and return left ventrical to nomal size if there is no heart muscle damage.

Hope this helps and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Thanks for sharing, and I wish you well going forward.  Take care,

Ken