Symptom 10: Lightheadedness or Fainting – Alarming Yet Overlooked
The final symptom we’ll discuss in the context of dilated cardiomyopathy is lightheadedness or fainting. These symptoms might seem trivial or easy to dismiss as being due to overexertion or fatigue, but in some cases, they can be an indication of dilated cardiomyopathy.
As dilated cardiomyopathy progresses, the heart becomes increasingly unable to meet the body’s demands for oxygenated blood. During physical activity, or even at rest in severe cases, this can result in a lack of blood flow to the brain, causing feelings of lightheadedness or even fainting.
In addition to this, the irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, often associated with dilated cardiomyopathy can also result in these symptoms. Arrhythmias can disrupt the steady flow of blood to the brain, leading to transient periods of diminished brain function manifesting as lightheadedness or fainting.
