What is the most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy?

The most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is alcohol use, often through chronic and excessive consumption. This condition arises because alcohol is toxic to the myocardium and can lead to structural and functional changes in the heart muscle. Over time, the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This can result in heart failure and other complications.

While other factors such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus can contribute to cardiovascular issues and may lead to heart failure, they are not as directly associated with the development of dilated cardiomyopathy itself as alcohol. Alcohol's direct toxic effect on heart tissue makes it a primary cause in many cases observed in clinical practice.