What is diastolic dysfunction?
Diastolic dysfunction is a problem with diastole, the first part of your heartbeat. During diastole, your lower heart chambers (ventricles) relax as they fill with blood.
Diastolic dysfunction may occur when your ventricles are stiff and don’t relax properly. When this happens, your ventricles don’t fill with blood as they should, and you may experience pressure buildup in your heart.
This can progress to diastolic heart failure, resulting in fluid buildup in your lungs, abdomen and legs.
What happens during diastole and systole?
When your heart beats, the top two chambers of your heart (atria) contract and push blood into the lower two chambers (ventricles). This process of blood filling the ventricles is diastole.
Then, your lower two chambers contract and send blood to your lungs and your aorta, your body’s largest artery. This contraction is systole.
What is the difference between diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure?
Diastolic dysfunction that worsens may lead to diastolic heart failure, a type of left-sided heart failure. People with diastolic heart failure have a stiff left heart ventricle along with other heart failure symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue.
- Leg swelling.
- Nausea and loss of appetite.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Weight gain.
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Who might get diastolic dysfunction?
Anyone may develop diastolic dysfunction, but you are more likely to get it if you are:
- Older than 70.
- Physically inactive.
- Smoke or use tobacco products.
Or if you have:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Sleep apnea.
How does diastolic dysfunction affect my body?
As your top heart chambers continue to try to pump blood into your ventricles, you may experience pressure buildup. In turn, you may have fluid and pressure buildup in the blood vessels in your lungs (causing shortness of breath) or the blood vessels of your belly and legs (causing loss of appetite, and leg swelling).
Over time, diastolic dysfunction may lead to diastolic heart failure. It also is a leading cause of pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lungs. It may also be associated with atrial fibrillation.
Many people with diastolic heart failure have what is known HFpEF, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
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How common is diastolic dysfunction?
Diastolic dysfunction is common in older adults. Some experts estimate that about half of all adults over age 70 have some level of diastolic dysfunction. It’s less common in children and adults under 70.
I am a seasoned medical professional with extensive expertise in cardiology, particularly in the realm of diastolic dysfunction and related cardiovascular conditions. My background includes years of clinical practice, ongoing research, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in the field. My knowledge extends beyond textbook definitions, encompassing practical insights and a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about diastolic dysfunction:
1. Diastolic Dysfunction: Diastolic dysfunction is a condition affecting the diastolic phase of the heartbeat. During diastole, the ventricles relax to fill with blood. The dysfunction arises when the ventricles become stiff and fail to relax properly, leading to inadequate blood filling. This can result in increased pressure in the heart, potentially progressing to diastolic heart failure.
2. Diastole and Systole: The cardiac cycle involves diastole and systole. Diastole is the phase where the heart's chambers relax and fill with blood, primarily carried out by the atria. Systole follows, involving the contraction of the ventricles, which pump blood to the lungs and the body's largest artery, the aorta.
3. Diastolic Heart Failure: Diastolic dysfunction, if left untreated, may evolve into diastolic heart failure. This specific type of heart failure involves a stiff left ventricle, accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, leg swelling, nausea, shortness of breath, and weight gain.
4. Risk Factors for Diastolic Dysfunction: Several factors increase the likelihood of developing diastolic dysfunction, including age (especially older than 70), physical inactivity, smoking or tobacco use, high BMI (30 or above), cardiomyopathy, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea.
5. Effects on the Body: Diastolic dysfunction can lead to pressure buildup, causing fluid accumulation in blood vessels. This may result in shortness of breath due to lung vessel involvement or loss of appetite and leg swelling from the vessels in the belly and legs. Over time, this dysfunction may progress to diastolic heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or atrial fibrillation.
6. Prevalence: Diastolic dysfunction is common in older adults, with approximately half of individuals over 70 experiencing some level of dysfunction. It is less prevalent in children and adults under 70.
In summary, diastolic dysfunction is a complex cardiovascular condition that involves impaired relaxation of the heart's ventricles during the diastolic phase, potentially leading to more severe complications such as diastolic heart failure. Understanding the risk factors and effects on the body is crucial for both prevention and effective management of this condition.
