Home Treatment

Even though medical care is very important in treating dilated cardiomyopathy, the following self-care recommendations are also important.

• Limit alcohol. Drink moderately, which is 2 drinks a day or less for men or 1 drink a day or less for women. Long-term overuse of alcohol may increase the risk of developing cardiomyopathy in some people.
• Restrict salt (sodium) in your diet. The body attempts to compensate for heart failure by retaining salt and water. This leads to fluid buildup and swelling. For more information, see:

  Heart failure: Eating less salt.

  Low-salt diets: Eating out.

• Limit fluids if your doctor told you to. Talk to your doctor about how much fluid is safe for your specific condition. For more information, see:

  Heart failure: Watching your fluids.

• Weigh yourself daily. If fluid begins to build up rapidly, you will notice a sudden weight gain. Your doctor may tell you how much weight to watch for. But in general, call your doctor if you gain 3 lb (1.4 kg) or more in 2 to 3 days. For more information, see:

  Heart failure: Checking your weight.

• Exercise. Your doctor will tell you the kind of physical activity you can safely do. Most people are encouraged to walk or ride a bike or do some other kind of exercise, if their condition allows it. For information on starting and staying with an exercise program, see:

  Heart failure: Activity and exercise.

• Avoid triggers for sudden heart failure. For more information, see:

  Heart failure: Avoiding triggers for sudden heart failure.

• Take your medicines as directed. If you don't, your heart failure may get worse, or you may develop sudden heart failure. For more information, see:

  Heart failure: Taking medicines properly.

• Be careful using nonprescription medicines. Some medicines can make your heart failure worse. For more information see:

  Heart failure: Avoiding medicines that make symptoms worse.

Pregnancy can be dangerous for people with dilated cardiomyopathy. If you have dilated cardiomyopathy and are considering becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor.

For more information on home treatment, see the topic Heart Failure.