Until recently, children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) did not often live beyond their teens. However, improvements in cardiac and respiratory care mean that life expectancy is increasing, with many DMD patients reaching their 30s, and some living into their 40s and 50s.

How do muscular dystrophy patients die?

The most common cause of death is heart failure from cardiomyopathy. Some patients are found to have the genetic abnormalities of the dystrophin gene, but, clinically, have symptoms between those of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).

Is muscular dystrophy a fatal disease?

Some types of muscular dystrophy, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy in boys, are deadly. Other types cause little disability and people have a normal lifespan.

Can you develop muscular dystrophy at any age?

Muscular dystrophy occurs in both sexes and in all ages and races. However, the most common variety, Duchenne, usually occurs in young boys. People with a family history of muscular dystrophy are at higher risk of developing the disease or passing it on to their children.

Do people with muscular dystrophy die sooner?

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy For others, disease progression is slow and may not affect life expectancy. Current research indicates that the age of onset of the disease may be predictive of how rapidly the disease will progress, with patients showing symptoms in childhood being the most severely affected.

What celebrity has muscular dystrophy?

PeopleReba McEntire.Alyssa Milano.Jerry Lewis (I)6 Aug 2021

Can muscular dystrophy happen later in life?

It can affect anyone from teenagers to adults in their 40s. Distal muscular dystrophy affects the muscles of the arms, legs, hands, and feet. It usually comes on later in life, between ages 40 and 60. Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy starts in a persons 40s or 50s.