In dilated cardiomyopathy, which lifestyle modification is recommended?

• A. Increase alcohol intake
• B. Cardiac rehabilitation and risk factor management
• C. Avoid exercise
• D. High-sodium diet

Answer: (B)

Lifestyle modification that improves functional capacity and outcomes in dilated cardiomyopathy centers on structured exercise and risk factor management. Cardiac rehabilitation provides a supervised, gradual exercise program tailored to a patient’s abilities, along with education on medication adherence, smoking cessation, weight control, blood pressure and lipid management, and energy conservation. This approach helps improve aerobic capacity, reduce symptoms, and lower hospitalization risk.

In contrast, increasing alcohol intake can worsen cardiomyopathy, avoiding exercise leads to deconditioning and worse function, and a high-sodium diet promotes fluid retention and edema. Sodium moderation is generally advised. Therefore, the best choice is cardiac rehabilitation with risk factor management.