<unk>  is a disease in which the excessive use of alcohol use damages the heart muscle causing heart failure. It is characterized by constellation of findings which includes a history of excessive alcohol intake, physical signs of alcohol abuse, heart failure, and supportive findings consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy.<unk>  is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy. Both acute and chronic<unk> onsumption, in excessive amounts, has been associated with adverse effects on the myocardium leading to non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. It accounts for 21-36% of all cases of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy .  The maximum recommended dose of<unk> onsumption in US men and women is 14 drinks and 7 drinks respectively. Consumption above these levels has been shown to be associated with the increased risk of<unk>  .   Pathogenesis of this condition is multi-factorial.<unk>  is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Therefore, it must be differentiated from other forms of DCM like idiopathic DCM, connective tissue disorders etc.<unk>  is more prevalent in middle aged males between the ages of 35-50. However, females may be more sensitive to cardiotoxic effects of alcohol, and may develop<unk>  with lesser amounts of alcohol use, than males.
In patients who continue to abuse alcohol, 4 year survival rate is 50%. On the contrary, abstinence is associated with regression of symptoms and overall improvement. Improvement in cardiac function evident from echocardiographic findings can also be noted.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Eosinophilic cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Noncompaction cardiomyopathy
Stress cardiomyopathy
Adrenergic myocarditis
Giant cell myocarditis