7th March 2024

Signs and symptoms

DCM typically manifests signs and symptoms related to chamber enlargement and systolic dysfunction and thus will lead to typical signs and symptoms of heart failure. 

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Orthopnoea
• Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea
• Peripheral oedema

Signs

• Elevated JVP
• 3rd heart sound – gallop heart rhythm
• Displaced apex laterally towards the axilla
• Crepitations on auscultation

In the context of specific disorders leading to a DCM, such as alcohol abuse or thiamine deficiency, you will also see signs and symptoms of the specific disease, such as chronic liver disease and malnutrition, respectively.