I have "Dilated Cardiomyopathy" Stage III CHF with no coronary blockages....Anybody else ?

I am (New) to this site, just joined...looking to connect w/others...I am Stage III CHF and have "Dilated Cardiomyopathy" with pacemaker n defibrillator...I am 58 and have had HF since 50 yrs old...

Hi I am from Mississippi and was 50 yrs old when I was diagnosed w/CHF....Heart got weaker 5 yrs later and I got a pacemaker and defibrillator in 2020....I am Stage or Class III HF....Looking for people with similar experience and friends to connect with 💞

My diagnosis is "Dilated Cardiomyopathy" and I have no blockages whatsoever in coronary arteries and had 3 heart caths to validate this....Anybody else ?? Just Curious...Looking for others to talk to...Thanks

2 Comments

DCM

by Julros - 2023-09-21 11:42:32

I have an inherited disorder that causes my DCM, although I am not very dilated, yet. My EF is 50%, and I am at stage I. 

I had a CRT-P implanted 2 1/2 years ago (at age 64) and my EF improved from 50 to 55%. A year ago I up graded to a CRT-D. I have been in and out of afib and aflutter, which also seems to affect my EF. 

I had a myocardial perfusion test 3 years ago, so they assume my coronaries are clear. My sister, who has the same genetic defect, went into acute CHF a year ago, and her coronaries were clear. Her EF has improved from 30 to 50%. 

Welcome Southern Lady

by Gemita - 2023-09-21 12:23:47

Southern Lady, I am sorry I had to leave Chat early.  I see you have had difficulty posting to the forum, so I have posted your complete, original message for you which you placed in your Bio.

As you probably know, dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle which makes the muscle walls become stretched and thin. The thinner walls are weakened, this means the heart can’t squeeze (contract) properly to pump blood to the rest of the body.  Dilated cardiomyopathy affects the lower left chamber of your heart and may over time affect the right ventricle too.  For many, the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is unknown, as you have discovered.  I see you have a Defibrillator to keep you safe.  

I hope you are still feeling relatively well with this heart condition and are able to exercise gently and to have a quality of life?  Symptoms often develop slowly and can sometimes be controlled with medication and other treatments, although I appreciate with Class III heart failure you will have some limitations.

Please take care and welcome.  I hope other heart failure members will come along to offer support   

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Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.