Common symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include:

Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by the dilation of the heart chambers, particularly the left ventricle, which leads to decreased cardiac output and various symptoms. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a prominent symptom because the heart's compromised ability to pump blood effectively can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, particularly during exertion or when lying down, resulting in orthopnea (the need to sit up to breathe comfortably).

This pattern of experiencing difficulty breathing is directly related to the heart's decreased efficiency and the subsequent impact on pulmonary circulation. The presence of orthopnea highlights the heart's inability to manage increased venous return effectively when the patient is supine, causing increased pulmonary venous pressure.

While chest pain and fatigue, dizziness and fainting, and high blood pressure and arrhythmias may occur in some cases of cardiomyopathy, they are not as characteristic or common as dyspnea and orthopnea in this specific condition. The focus on the respiratory symptoms directly ties to the main pathophysiological issues faced by patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, making them the most relevant indicators of the disease's impact on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.