What causes Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
Heart disease (which is caused by a narrowing of the arteries) and poorly controlled high blood pressure are the most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. These problems lead to a weakened and enlarged heart muscle.
There are many other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy, including:
Alcohol or cocaine abuse, or medicines that can be toxic to the heart (such as drugs used to treat cancer) Abnormal heart rhythms in which the heart beats very fast for a long period of time Autoimmune illnesses, when the immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake Conditions that run in families Infections that involve the heart muscle Heart valves that are either too narrow or too leaky (regurgitant) Trace elements, such as lead, arsenic, or mercury
This condition can affect anyone at any age. However, it is most common in adult men. </s>