CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- See a cardiac specialist within 24 hours
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- 99% of cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
Dilated Cardiomyopathy at HCA Healthcare UK
Why choose us?
Choose HCA UK and you’ll be looked after by a skilled cardiac team that’s cared for over 110,000 patients in the last three years alone. 99% of those would recommend us to friends and family, and we’re the UK’s no.1 for private cardiovascular care.
Our cardiac experts specialise in every aspect of diagnosis and treatment, which is why an outstanding 99% of our clinical outcomes are successful. For the personalised cardiac insight and support you need in a state-of-the-art care network, talk to us.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is often an inherited cardiac condition. It causes your left ventricle, which is your heart’s main pumping chamber, to stretch and become thin, weak and enlarged.
As a result, it stops being able to pump blood around your body in the usual way.
DCM is a condition where the left ventricle in your heart becomes enlarged and weak, but it can’t be attributed coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or valve disease. There are hundreds of different causes for DCM, but the commonest are genetic (often inherited from parents), viral infections or toxins.
Your consultant cardiologist can make an accurate diagnosis and suggest the best treatment pathway, depending on what’s causing your condition.
A lot of people with DCM have minor or no symptoms, but as your heart muscle becomes weaker and less able to pump, fluid can build up in your legs, abdomen, lungs and in other parts of your body.
This may result in congestive heart failure. When your heart is too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively, it can cause blood and fluid to back up (congest) in your body, especially in your lungs and legs. Typical symptoms include:
- Fatigue or easily tiring
- Palpitations
- Swollen legs, ankles or abdomen (oedema)
- Shortness of breath
- An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Heart valve problems
- Blood clots
DCM can develop and cause symptoms at any stage, from childhood to old age. If it’s inherited, it may be more likely to impact you in childhood.
The good news is that if you have DCM, the outlook for treating your condition has dramatically improved over the last 10 years. There are now four excellent medicines that can help your heart get stronger, you might also benefit from a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator, and there may be specific treatments for the underlying cause too. Your cardiac consultant will explain the best methods to manage your condition, including things you can do yourself.
Most people with DCM only experience minor symptoms, but in a small proportion of patients DCM can result in congestive heart failure, particularly if it isn’t treated.
The name ‘heart failure’ is confusing, as congestive heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart stops, it just means it can't keep up with your body's needs and you become breathless and accumulate fluid in your abdomen and legs.
However, this is still serious, so it’s important that you get any worrying symptoms checked by an expert as soon as possible.
250+
cardiology consultants across our network
35,000
cardiac patients treated every year
48 hours
or less results turnaround
Innovative treatments
See a specialist and get dedicated, expert care
State-of-the-art facilities
New techniques and technology
Rapid access
Get tests, scans and results fast
Think you might have dilated cardiomyopathy?
See a cardiac specialist and get an expert diagnosis.
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a cardiologist and get the personal care you need.
Dilated cardiomyopathy tests and scans at HCA UK
Clear and fast answers
If your GP or consultant thinks you may have DCM, they’ll talk to you about your lifestyle and whether you have any family history of heart disease. They'll also discuss your symptoms to determine the best diagnostic approach, with the help of experienced cardiologists who specialise in inherited cardiac conditions.
They’ll likely recommend that you have echocardiogram to help confirm the diagnosis. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of your heart, which shows its structure and function in real time. They may also suggest investigating how efficiently your heart is working by carrying out:
Dilated cardiomyopathy treatments at HCA UK
The right, expert intervention
Over the last decade, new clinical developments have meant that the outlook for patients with DCM has greatly improved. Our dedicated consultant cardiologists, physiologists and clinical nurse specialists are experienced in helping you to effectively manage inherited cardiac conditions, including DCM.
Depending on your diagnosis and the underlying cause, your cardiac consultant will suggest specific treatments and ways to manage the condition which can significantly improve your symptoms and quality of life.
These may include:
- Proven medications
- A pacemaker
- An Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)
Don't have a referral? Don't worry
Our private GPs can refer you to the right specialist for expert diagnosis. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch and see how we can help.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
Making changes to your daily routine can improve the effectiveness of medications to help manage DCM. You may also be able to delay or avoid needing to have a procedure.
Eating heart-healthy foods and gentle exercise can both improve your heart function, and limiting your alcohol intake can help too.
You may develop DCM for many reasons. In about half of cases the cause isn’t known, and we call this idiopathic. However, there is growing evidence that genetic causes often contribute to idiopathic DCM, either with a single abnormal gene or a combination of more common genetic variants.
This may mean that your consultant needs to talk to you about screening for your relatives. If you have DCM, we increasingly offer genetic testing to confirm your diagnosis and identify a gene that might be useful to screen your family members.
You should know that if you or any of your family have the faulty gene that can cause DSM, it doesn't mean any of you will definitely develop the illness.
It’s a complex condition, with wide reaching implications, so it’s a good idea to talk to your consultant cardiologist in detail. They can help you navigate the best way forward.
Our patients' stories
Solving Alex’s undiagnosed heart condition
At the age of 12, dancer Alex Brookes began experiencing irregular heart palpations. After initially being told it was nothing to worry about, her symptoms persisted and her mum decided it was best to seek medical advice and chose The Portland Hospital.
Chris's story: Atrial fibrillation
Since he was a teenager, Chris (now 44) had suffered from an irregular heartbeat. Whenever his heart would beat too fast, he was told he was having a panic attack.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“Professor Carr-White is an excellent Consultant. He is very helpful and considerate. He explained everything I need to know in a sensitive and professional way. I have complete confidence in him.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.