Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding findings to watch for and report with dilated cardiomyopathy as follows:
- Worsening pedal edema: Persistent back-up of fluid in the heart chambers can lead to increased workload on the heart, progressive deterioration of heart function, further weakening of heart muscle, and heart failure. Individuals can present with swelling of the lower legs, with pitting upon applying slight pressure. The severity of pitting increases with severity of cardiomyopathy. Keep a close watch on the severity of pitting and report to your physician regarding any progressively increasing pedal edema.
- Chest pain and discomfort: Back-up of blood in the heart chambers can result in increased pressure and discomfort in the chest and increased workload on the heart. This increased workload on the heart can result in demand for extra blood and oxygen supply. As, blood and oxygen supply to heart muscle is already compromised in individuals with cardiomyopathy, any extra demand can result in increased risk for chest pain and discomfort. In severe cases, individuals can even present with an episode of myocardial infarction or heart attack, damaging the heart muscle further. Keep a close watch and report to your physician regarding any chest pain and/or discomfort, how insignificant it may be.
- Arrhythmia: Damaged heart muscle, secondary to poor blood and oxygen supply, can lead to palpitations and arrhythmias. Keep a close watch and report to your physician regarding any signs and symptoms of arrhythmia, such as, fluttering in the chest, racing or abnormally slow heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, any episodes of loss of consciousness, chest pain and/or discomfort, and fainting.
