Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Definitions

Dilated cardiomyopathy


Overview

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that mostly affects the left ventricle. The left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber. The chamber enlarges and can't pump blood normally. The condition is a common cause of heart failure.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms.

Treatments

Treatments include medications and implantable heart devices.