Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy may include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you're active or lying down
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, feet and abdomen
• Chest pain or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart (palpitations)
• Extra or unusual sounds heard when your heart beats (heart murmurs), which your doctor may find during a physical examination

Some people with dilated cardiomyopathy don't have any signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

When to see a doctor

If you are short of breath or have other symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy, see your doctor as soon as possible. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes or have severe difficulty breathing.

If a family member has dilated cardiomyopathy, talk to your doctor. Early detection using genetic testing may benefit people with inherited forms of dilated cardiomyopathy who have no apparent signs or symptoms.