Patient/caregiver was educated that signs and symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy can vary from mild to severe depending on the degree to which heart muscle is affected, compromised output of blood due to poor cardiac contractions, and the extent of vital organ compromise.
Patient/caregiver was educated regarding signs and symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy as follows:
- Hypotension
- Reduced output of blood from the heart due to cardiomyopathy can result in low blood pressure and hypotensive symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Back-up of blood in the heart chambers can result in increased pressure and discomfort in the chest.
- Angina or chest pain can result from reduced blood and oxygen supply to the cardiac muscle.
- In severe cases, individuals can even present with an episode of myocardial infarction, damaging the heart muscle further.
- Heart failure
- Progressive back-up of blood from the heart chambers can result in symptoms of heart failure such as, acute weight gain, fluid retention in the chest leading to difficulty in gas exchange in the lungs, poor oxygen pick-up in the lungs, swelling of the extremities with pitting edema, and compromised exercise tolerance with exacerbation of shortness of breath.
- Diminished function of vital organs
- Compromised blood and oxygen supply to the vital organs affect their function gradually. Blood supply could be reduced to all organs, such as, brain, heart, lung, stomach, and kidneys, affecting their function.
