Managing

The outlook for people living with dilated or restrictive cardiomyopathy varies widely. Some people live healthy, long lives free of symptoms, unaware that they even have the disease. For most people, symptoms of heart failure gradually progress over time; in a minority of individuals, the symptoms start suddenly and the disease progresses rapidly. No matter the scenario, your health needs to be monitored closely in order to make decisions about treatment options.

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Overall, about two thirds of people with newly diagnosed heart failure die within five years. However, there is considerable individual variation depending on severity of symptoms and how effectively the symptoms can be treated. For people with minor symptoms that appear only with extreme exertion, fewer than 5 percent die in the first year. But for those who experience debilitating symptoms while at rest, more than 50 percent may die in six to 12 months. This latter group should be considered for other therapies such as heart transplant and LVAD.

Information on managing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

This section contains more information on:

• When to see the doctor
• Lifestyle choices