I am 22 and have been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. I have no arrythmias and the cardiologist wants me to have one implanted. Is this neccessary if there are no arrythmias?

Thank you

I am 22 and have been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. I have no arrythmias and the cardiologist wants me to have one implanted. Is this neccessary if there are no arrythmias?

Thank you

Hi Shane,

Dilated cardiomyopathy does not require a pacemaker (if pacemaker is the implant?). However, dilated heart chambers/chamber can cause arrhythmia, and that may be the issue that is being considered.

Sometimes a dilated heart chamber (remodeled) can be treated with medication and reverse remodeling depending on the underlying problem. I had a remodeled left ventricle chamber due to an overworked heart. Medication reduced the workload and reversed remodeling to normal size. Never at any time was a pacemaker ever suggested, but medication was prescribed to insure rhythm stability whether needed or not. The medication was a beta blocker that slows heart rate as well as help lower blood pressure.

If you haven't had any heart rhythm problem, it doesn't make sense to have an implant if medication can reverse remodeling. And it is possible you have arrythmia and not aware! Did you have an EKG?

Hi Shane,

Dilated cardiomyopathy does not require a pacemaker (if pacemaker is the implant?). However, dilated heart chambers/chamber can cause arrhythmia, and that may be the issue that is being considered.

Sometimes a dilated heart chamber (remodeled) can be treated with medication and reverse remodeling depending on the underlying problem. I had a remodeled left ventricle chamber due to an overworked heart. Medication reduced the workload and reversed remodeling to normal size. Never at any time was a pacemaker ever suggested, but medication was prescribed to insure rhythm stability whether needed or not. The medication was a beta blocker that slows heart rate as well as help lower blood pressure.

If you haven't had any heart rhythm problem, it doesn't make sense to have an implant if medication can reverse remodeling. And it is possible you have arrythmia and not aware! Did you have an EKG?


You had a great cardiologist. I too have one who relies not only on medication but the hope that the heart may heal itself.

Yes, Refuge, there are self healing mechanisms that can occur under certain circumstances. As an example, I have a totally occluded LAD coronary artery that developed a natural bypass with colateral vessels, and there is some angiogenesis from the right side that feeds into the distal portion as well. I never had any chest pain as the vessels continued to block so there wasn't any on going treatment until I had a silent heart attack and congested heart failure!

After 3 1/2 years from a heart attack, I am able to do 4 mph (brisk walk) for 30 minutes on the treadmill and that is 7 METs...no shortness of breath or chest pain. And as a reference, I failed a stress test 2 1/2 years ago after 7 minutes at 7 METs on a treadmil.