Patient/caregiver was instructed on dilated cardiomyopathy as follows:
- Effective contraction of heart is important for normal blood flow and adequate pumping of blood by the heart to vital organs.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy is an abnormal condition of the heart, in which the heart muscle progressively stretches and becomes thinner.
- Thinning of the heart muscle leads to increased space in the heart chambers, with consequent dilation of heart.
- Also, thinning of heart muscle and dilation of the chambers, render the heart increasingly weaker, with reduced ability to contract effectively.
- The ineffective contractions of the heart muscle result in reduced output of blood from the heart, leading to low blood volume in circulation, hypotension with dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Progressively, this can result in reduced blood flow to all the vital organs in the body, such as, heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys, resulting in diminishing organ function and in severe cases, even organ failure.
