Final answer:
The most common etiology of secondary, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in the Western world is infection (e.g., viral).
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common etiology of secondary, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in the Western world is infection (e.g., viral).
Secondary, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy refers to a condition where the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weakened due to underlying causes other than coronary artery disease or heart attack. Infection, particularly viral infections, is a common cause of this type of cardiomyopathy.
For example, viral infections such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) can lead to long-term damage and dilation of the heart muscle, resulting in cardiomyopathy.