Diastolic heart failure is a type of heart failure in which the heart’s left ventricle fails to relax and fill with blood properly. This type of heart failure is caused by the inability of the left ventricle to relax and fill with blood during diastole, the period of the heart’s cycle when it is filling with blood.
This can lead to a decrease in the amount of blood pumped out of the heart, resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and feet. Treatment for diastolic heart failure typically includes lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, surgery.
Causes of Diastolic Heart Failure
Several factors can contribute to diastolic heart failure, including:
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Chronic high blood pressure can lead to the thickening of the heart muscles, causing stiffness and reduced relaxation.
- Aging: As people age, the elasticity of the heart muscle can decrease, making it harder for the heart to relax and fill with blood.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the heart muscle, leading to stiffening.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts additional strain on the heart, leading to hypertrophy (thickening of the heart walls) and increasing the risk of diastolic heart failure.
- Coronary Artery Disease: Blockages in the coronary arteries can limit blood flow to the heart, damaging the muscle and impairing its ability to relax properly.
- Atrial Fibrillation: Irregular heartbeats can affect the heart’s filling and lead to diastolic dysfunction.
Symptoms of Diastolic Heart Failure
The symptoms of diastolic heart failure can be similar to those of systolic heart failure and may include:
- Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or when lying down, is a common symptom.
- Fatigue: The inability of the heart to fill properly reduces the amount of blood pumped throughout the body, leading to tiredness and weakness.
- Swelling (Edema): Fluid buildup in the legs, ankles, feet, and sometimes the abdomen can occur due to poor blood circulation.
- Difficulty exercising: Reduced exercise tolerance is a key symptom as the heart cannot meet the demands of increased physical activity.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of diastolic heart failure often involves a variety of tests to assess the heart’s function and structure:
- Echocardiogram: This imaging test helps evaluate the heart’s size, shape, and function, particularly how well the heart muscle relaxes and fills with blood.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG measures the heart’s electrical activity and can identify irregular heartbeats or evidence of previous heart damage.
- Blood Tests: These can help detect markers of heart failure, such as elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).
- Stress Test: This test evaluates how well the heart functions under physical exertion.
Treatment
The treatment of diastolic heart failure focuses on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and addressing the condition’s underlying causes. Common approaches include:
- Medications:
- Diuretics: These help reduce fluid buildup and ease the symptoms of swelling and shortness of breath.
- Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors: These medications help control blood pressure and reduce the workload on the heart.
- Calcium channel blockers: These can help the heart relax and improve diastolic function.
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Exercise: Moderate physical activity can help improve cardiovascular health and enhance the heart’s efficiency.
- Diet: A heart-healthy diet low in salt and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help manage blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in reducing the risk factors contributing to diastolic heart failure.
- Smoking cessation: Smoking can worsen heart health and contribute to the progression of heart failure.
- Managing Underlying Conditions: Proper management of conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation is essential in preventing the progression of diastolic heart failure.
