Hospitalization may be required when symptoms are severe. Treatment is essentially the same as that for heart failure. A low-salt diet may be recommended. Advice to stop smoking and stop drinking alcohol may be given, because these habits may make the symptoms worse.
Daily weighing may be recommended. A weight gain of 3 or 4 pounds or more over 1 or 2 days may indicate fluid accumulation. Activity may be restricted as symptoms progress; other patients may need to initiate an exercise program.
Medications for dilated cardiomyopathy may include diuretics, ACE-inhibitors, digitalis, angiotensin II receptor blockers, inotropes, anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, and beta-blockers.
Some patients may be offered surgical procedures such as the ventricular assist device (VAD), cardiomyoplasty, mitral or tricuspid valve repair, or partial left ventriculectomy. A heart transplant may be considered if heart function is very poor.
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