What the Symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Were Like For Me

When I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy after suffering a stroke, I thought it was because I was pushing myself too hard. I used to compete in fitness competitions, and with that came a lot of stress — from working out up to 4 hours a day in the gym, prepping meals, and denying myself food that I wanted just for a few minutes on stage. Fitness competitions contestants are judged on their physiques; competing in those competitions was very stressful for my body and my organs.

I was used to being busy and physically active

Before I started competing, I was an athlete from elementary school up to college, where I was on scholarship running NCAA track and field. I was recruited to do the sprint races, the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. The rigorous training that I put my body through daily was difficult, all the while being a student at the same time.

I remember on Thursdays I had a practice at 5 AM followed by class all day, then another practice, and last but not least, an evening class until 8:30 PM. I was used to being overly busy and managing my stress. That is why my family and I were shocked when the diagnosis came, because how could this be if I’d been active all my life with no limitations?

I didn't know I was experiencing symptoms

According to the American Heart Association, signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy include fatigue, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting.¹

I didn’t know that I was experiencing these symptoms until I had a heart transplant in 2020, and then I realized this was what a functioning heart was supposed to feel like.

What these symptoms looked like for me

One symptom I clearly remember is arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are essentially abnormal heartbeats. The type of arrhythmia I was having was tachycardia, which means my heart was beating faster than the average heart at more than 100 beats per minute. It felt like a fluttering sensation followed by shortness of breath and dizziness.^2,3

The shortness of breath that I experienced was also a result of my heart failing. I couldn’t walk more than 2 steps without becoming winded. I remember for my mom’s birthday we went to an apple orchard to pick apples, and I can’t even tell you how hard it was walking uphill without me getting shortness of breath. Imagine someone who ran track and someone physically fit who can’t walk even a few steps without getting shortness of breath.

I suffered 2 strokes, 1 before the diagnosis and 1 more when I was diagnosed with advanced heart failure. In both instances, I felt faint and dizzy before fainting occurred. Those were the only 2 times that I felt faint.

The only symptom that I never experienced was chest pain. The swelling in the ankles I didn’t experience until I was in advanced heart failure and fighting for my life.

New medications and fatigue

Fatigue is a major symptom of dilated cardiomyopathy. My doctor prescribed me carvedilol, lisinopril, spironolactone, warfarin, and a baby aspirin. Carvedilol is a beta blocker, which means it lowers blood pressure and makes the heart slow down.⁴

My doctor slowly moved me to a higher dose so my body could get used to it. When he moved me to a higher dose, I started feeling the effects of the drug, and I was fatigued most of the time.

Ask questions to better prepare

One thing that I wish I knew when I started my heart journey is how progressive dilated cardiomyopathy is. After being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, 4 years passed by, and then I was diagnosed with advanced heart failure.

My suggestion is to ask your cardiologist questions and conduct research about your disease so that you are more knowledgeable. Ask your doctors what symptoms you should look for so you will be prepared.