Diastolic dysfunction is a condition where the heart’s muscle struggles to relax and fill with blood during the resting phase between beats. Treatment aims to improve heart function and alleviate symptoms, helping individuals maintain a better quality of life.
Understanding Diastolic Dysfunction
In diastolic dysfunction, the left ventricle becomes stiff or less compliant. This stiffness prevents it from relaxing fully and filling efficiently with blood from the lungs. Consequently, pressure can build up inside the heart and in the blood vessels leading to the lungs. This condition is associated with advancing age, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes, which alter heart muscle structure.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can significantly improve heart health and manage diastolic dysfunction. Adopting a heart-healthy eating plan, like the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, is beneficial. This plan focuses on reducing sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day, consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and limiting saturated and trans fats.
Regular physical activity is also important. Guidelines suggest aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, including activities like walking, swimming, or cycling. Incorporating strength training also supports heart health. This activity helps the heart relax and fill.
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces heart strain, as excess body weight forces the heart to work harder. Even modest weight loss, such as 5% or more, can significantly improve heart health for individuals with obesity and heart failure.
Quitting smoking is important because tobacco use increases heart rate and blood pressure while reducing oxygen-rich blood flow. Moderating alcohol consumption, generally to one drink daily for women and two for men, supports cardiac well-being. These adjustments can help prevent progression and improve overall function.
Medications for Management
Medications are prescribed to manage symptoms and address underlying conditions related to diastolic dysfunction. Diuretics help reduce fluid retention and swelling by assisting the body in removing excess sodium and water. Examples include furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, which can alleviate congestion.
Blood pressure medications are frequently used, as high blood pressure contributes to diastolic dysfunction. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are often first-line choices, especially for those with hypertension, as they can improve diastolic function. Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol or carvedilol, slow a rapid heart rate, allowing more time for the heart to fill properly.
Calcium channel blockers, including verapamil or diltiazem, can improve ventricular relaxation, addressing heart stiffness. These medications reduce calcium flow into heart cells and artery walls, helping blood vessels relax and improving blood flow. Medication selection is tailored to the individual’s symptoms and contributing health issues.
Addressing Contributing Health Conditions
Effective management of diastolic dysfunction requires controlling co-existing health conditions. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a significant factor. Consistent blood pressure management to a target below 130/80 mmHg is recommended. This helps reduce heart strain and prevents further stiffening of the heart muscle.
For individuals with diabetes, maintaining good blood sugar control is important to prevent worsening heart stiffness and overall cardiac health. Diabetes can contribute to cardiac complications, and proper glucose management helps mitigate its impact.
Treating coronary artery disease (CAD) is important, as it affects heart health and function. If myocardial ischemia, a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, impacts diastolic function, coronary revascularization procedures may be considered to improve blood supply. Addressing sleep apnea is also important, as this condition can negatively affect the heart and requires diagnosis and treatment.
Kidney disease can impact fluid balance, which directly affects the heart’s workload and function. Managing kidney function helps maintain proper fluid levels and reduces cardiovascular strain. A holistic approach to these underlying conditions can significantly improve outcomes.