The world of cardiology is interesting yet pretty confusing. This piece of reading is perfect for you if you are wondering what diastolic heart failure is and how it differs from other heart conditions.
What is Acute Diastolic Heart Failure?
Diastolic heart failure, or diastolic dysfunction, occurs when the heart’s left ventricle, responsible for pumping blood to the body, becomes stiff. In this condition, the heart struggles to fill with blood between beats, leading to various complications.
One of the markers through which this condition is diagnosed is preserved ejection fraction, measuring how much blood the left ventricle pumps out. Normally, an EF over 55% is considered healthy. However, in the condition of diastolic heart failure, EF is preserved, indicating that the heart is pumping out blood effectively but is not filling properly between the beats, resulting in a reduced blood supply. Therefore, to compensate for that, your heart may increase pressure inside the ventricle to facilitate the influx.
Systolic Vs. Diastolic Heart Failure | The Difference
When we talk about systolic heart failure, the left ventricle struggles to pump blood effectively, leading to insufficient oxygen-rich blood circulation and fluid backup, affecting organs.
On the other hand, diastolic heart failure is when the left ventricle pumps out blood adequately but struggles to refill with blood between beats. Accurately diagnosing these conditions requires three things:
- Expertise
- Experience
- Access to advanced tools
Meticulous diagnosis is pivotal because the treatments for systolic and diastolic heart failure differ significantly more so when there is a need for mechanical assist devices.
Signs of Diastolic Heart Failure
Diastolic heart failure may manifest slowly with time or suddenly show up with acute symptoms. Both cases share common symptoms, including:
- Brain fog or difficulty in concentrating or staying alert
- Constant fatigue
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
- Persistent cough
- Wheezing
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
Treatment Plan
Every case of diastolic heart failure is different; therefore, it requires a customized treatment plan aligned with your condition and goals. Dr. Rajesh Ramineni, MD, FACC, FSCAI, a 5-star rated cardiologist in The Woodlands, certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the field of Echocardiography, with advanced training in Interventional Cardiology and Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant Cardiology, excels in providing leading-edge treatments to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
The first line of treatment always involves lifestyle and dietary changes if the condition is mild. As soon as things start getting serious, doctors introduce medications to control blood pressure and heart rate, along with diuretics to reduce fluid retention. Since many patients with diastolic heart failure also suffer from coronary artery disease, surgery or a minimally invasive procedure is a good way to get rid of the built-up plaque in the blood vessels.
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Closing Note
Early detection and intervention is crucial for patients with diastolic heart failure. By seeking care from experienced specialists, the quality of life can be enhanced while living with this condition. If you have more questions, contact Healthy Living Heart and Vein. We are here to help you out. Our expert team can diagnose your condition with the latest tools and determine whether you require treatment for your heart or anything else. Do not hesitate to call us at (936) 978-0466 to schedule an appointment. Your health is our priority, and we are ready to assist you in every way possible.