text: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type, occurring mostly in adults 20 to 60. It affects the heart's ventricles and atria, the lower and upper chambers of the heart, respectively. 
   
   
   
   Frequently the disease starts in the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber. The heart muscle begins to dilate, meaning it stretches and becomes thinner. Consequently, the inside of the chamber enlarges. The problem often spreads to the right ventricle and then to the atria. 
   
   
   
   As the heart chambers dilate, the heart muscle doesn't contract normally and cannot pump blood very well. As the heart becomes weaker heart failure can occur. Common symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck. 
   
   
   
   Dilated cardiomyopathy also can lead to heart valve problems, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and blood clots in the heart. 
   
   
   
   Other Names for Dilated Cardiomyopathy 
   
   Alcoholic cardiomyopathy. (A term used when overuse of alcohol causes the disease) 
   
   Congestive cardiomyopathy 
   
   Diabetic cardiomyopathy 
   
   Familial dilated cardiomyopathy 
   
   Idiopathic cardiomyopathy 
   
   Ischemic cardiomyopathy (A term used when coronary heart disease, also called coronary artery disease or heart attack cause the disease. Not all forms of DCM are ischemic in origin.) 
   
   Peripartum cardiomyopathy. (A term used when the disease develops in a woman shortly before or after she gives birth.) 
   
   Primary cardiomyopathy 
   
   Coronary heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, viral hepatitis and HIV 
   
   Infections, especially viral infections that inflame the heart muscle 
   
   Alcohol, especially if you also have a poor diet 
   
   Complications during the last month of pregnancy or within 5 months of birth 
   
   Certain toxins such as cobalt 
   
   Certain drugs (such as cocaine and amphetamines) and two medicines used to treat cancer (doxorubicin and daunorubicin) 
   
   Often, cause of dilated cardiomyopathy isn't known. Up to one-third of the people of those who have it inherit it from their parents.Some diseases, conditions and substances also can cause the disease, such as: ||||| But you can get fatty liver disease, even if you don’t drink a lot of alcohol . 
   
   Heavy drinking puts you at risk for it. Over time, too much alcohol leads to a buildup of fat inside your liver cells. This makes it harder for your liver to work. 
   
   Fatty liver disease means you have extra fat in your liver . 
   
   Alcohol-Related Fatty Liver Disease 
   
   You might hear this called “ALD.” 
   
   Some people don’t have any symptoms. But if your liver becomes enlarged, you may develop pain or discomfort on the upper right side of your belly. 
   
   ALD is preventable. It usually gets better when you stop drinking alcohol. 
   
   If you keep drinking, ALD can cause serious problems. These include: 
   
   Alcoholic hepatitis. This is swelling in the liver that can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes). 
   
   Alcoholic cirrhosis. This is a buildup of scar tissue in your liver. It can cause the same symptoms as alcoholic hepatitis plus: 
   
   High blood pressure in the liver 
   
   Bleeding in your body 
   
   Confusion and changes in behavior 
   
   Enlarged spleen 
   
   Liver failure, which can be fatal 
   
   Fatty liver disease usually comes first. It can then get worse and becomes alcoholic hepatitis. Over time, it may turn into alcoholic cirrhosis. 
   
   If you drink heavily, talk with your doctor. It’s confidential, and it can help you get your drinking under control to save your health. ||||| LONDON -- A British coroner says George Michael died of natural causes as the result of heart disease and a fatty liver. 
   
   Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire, says a post-mortem has found that the singer died of “dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver.” 
   
   Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is limited, while myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. 
   
   Michael died at his home in Oxfordshire county, southern England, on Dec. 25. He was 53. An initial autopsy failed to determine the cause of death. 
   
   Salter said Tuesday that because Michael died of natural causes, no inquest will be held. 
   
   At the time of his death, Michael’s manager told CBS News that he died of heart failure. 
   
   In 2011, the singer had a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. At the time, he thanked the staff at Vienna General Hospital for keeping him alive in the intensive care unit. 
   
   Michael enjoyed immense popularity early in his career as a teenybopper idol, delivering a series of hits such as “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” ‘’Young Guns (Go For It)“ and “Freedom.” As a solo artist, he developed into a more serious singer and songwriter, lauded by critics for his tremendous vocal range. He sold well over 100 million albums globally, earned numerous Grammy and American Music Awards, and recorded duets with legends like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John. ||||| Get celebs updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email 
   
   The love of George Michael’s life has told how he flew to the UK to ­comfort his grieving family – and how they just want to lay the star to rest. 
   
   In an exclusive interview, Kenny Goss said he has been supporting the singer’s close family as they agonisingly wait for his body to be released for a funeral. 
   
   Kenny chose to speak to the Sunday Mirror after receiving a “sign�? from George, who was his partner for 13 years. 
   
   Speaking movingly about the star, Kenny revealed how he was in constant contact with the tragic singer in the months before he died aged just 53. 
   
   The former Wham! frontman was well known for repeated drug use and Kenny said his weak body had “just given up�?. 
   
   (Image: Getty) 
   
   (Image: Daily Mirror) 
   
   George’s family are still awaiting results of toxicology tests before the coroner can release the body. 
   
   Texan art dealer Kenny said he flew to England two weeks ago to help the star’s family during the painful and drawn-out process while investigations continue. 
   
   Kenny, 58, who George called Darlin’, explains: “It was so great to see them and they are doing as well as can be expected. They are doing good. 
   
   “He was very, very close to both of his sisters. The Greek mentality is to look after people. Melanie made lots of steak. When things are bad they cook – that’s what they do. 
   
   “I’ll be there for the funeral. We just want closure, we want the funeral to 
   
   happen, it’s been a long time now.�? 
   
   The Sunday Mirror spoke to Kenny in Los Angeles, at Sir Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party. 
   
   Kenny, who is close friends with Elton and his husband David Furnish, was a guest of honour on their top table. 
   
   “It’s my second time at this party,�? he says. “And I want to support them. They have done so much for charity and it is something very close to mine and George’s heart. We are very passionate about our charities.�? 
   
   George met Kenny at posh spa Beverly Hot Springs, in LA, in 1996. 
   
   They only went public with their ­relationship two years later when the singer came out after being arrested for “a lewd act�? in a California toilet. 
   
   (Image: Landmark Media) 
   
   After falling in love, they went on to set up the Goss-Michael arts foundation in 2007, a prolific charity which helps young and struggling artists. 
   
   It holds what is thought to be the ­largest collection of British contemporary art in the US, with works from artists including Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. 
   
   As well as curating exhibitions, the former lovers placed their money in an educational fund for college students to hone their skills. 
   
   During the moving interview Kenny talks about George in the present tense and stops himself when he realises he is saying “we�?. He stumbles: “I don’t know why I keep saying that.�? 
   
   Kenny was the Wham! frontman’s true love and they split in 2009, although George did not reveal their break-up for another two years. 
   
   (Image: KNS News) 
   
   They remained close friends and would refer to each other as “soulmates�?, always putting the foundation at the top of their priorities. 
   
   When they split, George said: “I love him very much. This man has brought me a lot of joy and pain. 
   
   “My love life has been a lot more ­turbulent than I’ve ever let on, and I’m so sad about my relationship with Kenny. I’m sorry for any pain.�? 
   
   With a soft Texan drawl and cheery demeanour, it’s clear to see why Kenny had such a positive effect on George’s life. 
   
   He was credited with helping the star through a string of troubled times. 
   
   (Image: KNS News) 
   
   Last week Kenny gave his first ­interview in the US since George’s death to talk about their charities. 
   
   But in his first interview with a UK newspaper, he said he was torn about speaking publicly – until he got a sign from George. 
   
   He said: “I wasn’t sure about doing the interview. It was a tricky thing. But Jolene, by Dolly Parton, was one of George’s ­favourite songs and when I was thinking about what to do it started playing on the radio. 
   
   “I thought that was a sign. We had two dogs together and one of them was ­barking a lot, I also thought that was him trying to tell me something. 
   
   “At the end of the day we need to spread the word about the charities. He would have wanted that. That’s the most important thing.�? 
   
   (Image: FilmMagic) 
   
   Teetotal Kenny has managed to keep himself focused by working on their ­foundation. 
   
   A tribute on the charity’s website says: “George was a major part of my life and I loved him very, very much. 
   
   "The beautiful memories and music he brought to the world will ­always be an important part of my life and those who also loved and admired him.�? 
   
   Losing George has clearly taken its toll on Kenny and as authorities are yet to issue a cause of death it has been ­impossible for him to properly mourn. 
   
   In January we revealed how Kenny had rekindled his friendship with George and was trying to help him. 
   
   Kenny told us: “I was speaking to him all the time on the phone. We were in constant contact. He was in good spirits.�? 
   
   But on Christmas Day George was found dead in bed at home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, by his current ­partner Fadi Fawaz, 43. 
   
   Initial toxicology results were ­inconclusive and more tests are being carried out to determine the cause of death. 
   
   Asked what he thinks happened, Kenny tells us: “I can’t say for sure but I think his body just gave up. All these years, it was just weak.�? 
   
   Reminiscing about their time together, he continues: “We were together for 15 years and in the gay world that is a long time. 
   
   "People used to say we ­argued but we wouldn’t really. It was always just silly things about who had the remote control. 
   
   “When we split up there was no big argument, it was just how it was. It was a lovely relationship. I miss him.�? 
   
   George’s philanthropy touched hearts around the world. It recently emerged he gifted £99,000 to Kenyan AIDS charity Omwabini after hearing of its funding problems on Deal Or No Deal. 
   
   Kenny adds: “His generosity was ­endless, he helped so many people. 
   
   “We will keep on hearing more and more stories about how he helped others. That is how people will remember him. 
   
   “He was the sweetest person. People talk about him giving away £50,000 but he gave away millions. 
   
   He always said ‘how much money does one person need’. That’s what he was like.�?
target: – What was once deemed "inconclusive" has now arrived at a conclusion, though that conclusion may be cold comfort to fans, friends, and family. Early autopsy results on George Michael couldn't peg what caused his Christmas Day death, but on Tuesday, a UK coroner announced the 53-year-old singer had died of natural causes, spurred by a fatty liver and "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis" (a clinical way of saying heart disease), CBS News reports. Michael's partner, Fadi Fawaz, had put up a bunch of tweets insinuating suicide right after his boyfriend's death; Fawaz later said he'd been hacked and took down the posts. A rep for Michael had mentioned heart failure was the cause after the initial autopsy. Per the American Heart Association, dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by an enlarged heart chamber that eventually affects heart contractions and keeps blood from being efficiently pumped out; myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. A fatty liver could have any of a variety of causes, including drinking too much, a bout with hepatitis C, being overweight, or taking certain medication. "I think his body just gave up," Michael's former partner, Kenny Goss, told the Sunday Mirror over the weekend. Goss adds that now the family can move on with making final arrangements, saying, "We just want closure, we want the funeral to happen." Fawaz, meanwhile, posted a few tweets Tuesday in apparent response to the news, noting, "The Truth is out..." and "Now I hope to receive some real LOVE."