Myocardial dystrophy

General concept

Myocardial dystrophy: what is it? Such a pathology is always a manifestation of another disease. The heart muscle undergoes pathological changes that are not inflammatory. A similar anomaly is observed in people of different age categories: both infants and the elderly suffer from it. But more often myocardial damage is observed in elderly patients. Disorders in the work of the heart muscle respond well to treatment, which allows a person at the initial stage of the disease to restore the previous standard of living without problems.

How does the myocardium react to developing dystrophy:

• Free radicals build up and destroy cardiomyocytes (heart cells).
• There is a significant decrease in cells capable of conducting electrical impulses and contracting.
• The need for oxygen is constantly growing, and the heart cells lose their ability to assimilate it.
• A high level of calcium reduces the tone of the heart fibers, the tissues do not receive the necessary nutrition.
• The myocardium reacts sensitively to every adrenaline rush, this weakens it.

The result of dystrophic disorders can be:

1. Dilation. The cavities of the heart chambers expand, their size becomes larger, but tissue hypertrophy is absent.
2. Hypertrophy. The walls of the myocardium become denser, their thickness increases.
3. Restriction. The parts of the heart begin to shrink, "shrink".

The heart needs energy to contract. Most of it is produced in a state of cardiac rest (pause between contractions). For a biochemical reaction, in the course of which energy is released, the participation of hormones, glucose, various types of acids and enzymes, amino acids, ketone bodies, oxygen is necessary. All these substances enter the heart through the blood. When there is nothing to draw energy from, myocardial cells use reserve glycogen. Obtaining kilocalories in this way can be carried out even in the absence of oxygen. But such food is not enough for long.

Myocardial dystrophy develops with a complete energy deficit. The advanced stage of the pathological condition leads to replacement processes, accompanied by the death of cardiomyocytes and their replacement with scar tissue.

Classification

Dystrophy of the heart can be local and diffuse. In the first case, the lesion covers a limited area of ​​tissues, and in the second, the entire muscle layer is affected.

Primary pathology is recorded when there is no way to find an obvious cause of its origin. This also includes dystrophy of a complex nature, which does not fit any description of all known types of pathology.

Before leading to dangerous complications, myocardial dystrophy goes through three stages of development:

1. At the first stage, there are several foci of damage to cardiomyocytes. But all abnormal phenomena are compensated by the organ itself: the growth of neighboring cells occurs. A person in this period may feel shortness of breath, arrhythmia, severe fatigue when performing physical activity. Soreness in the chest is pressing in nature and has nothing to do with physical activity. Legs swell by the end of the day. It is not difficult to stop the development of pathology at this stage.
2. In the second stage, a more intense manifestation of symptoms can be noticed. It is called subcompensatory. The damage to the tissues becomes diffuse. The areas that have not undergone change try to make up for the missing cells and grow in size due to the growth of new cells. The heart becomes larger than its usual size. Less blood is thrown out. The contractions are weakening. The possibility of complete restoration of damage is still preserved with adequate and timely treatment.
3. The third stage leads to degenerative changes in the myocardium. Signs of heart failure occur without physical exertion. The heart does not cope well with its functions, blood circulation is disturbed, other organs suffer. The blood stagnates in the vessels of the lungs, the liver hypertrophies. The compensating mechanism does not work. Dead heart cells cannot be restored.

Changes leading to myocardial dystrophy occur for various reasons. They form the basis for the classification of the main types of myocardial dystrophy.

• dyshormonal;
• dysmetabolic;
• anemic;
• alcoholic;
• tonsilogenic;
• sports;
• complex;
• mixed.

Features of the changes

Dyshormonal myocardial dystrophy is caused by a change in hormonal levels. This phenomenon is possible under the influence of certain diseases, or during a period of special transitional states: menopause, puberty, thyroid dysfunction. Decreased or increased levels of female and male hormones entail different symptoms, which depend on the disease or pathology that caused the hormonal imbalance. Dyshormonal myocardial dystrophy with menopause is accompanied by tachycardia, increased sweating, chest pains that occur in a state of physical rest. They are blunt or stabbing. If the production of hormones is reduced, the fluid stagnates in the cardiomyocytes, the metabolism in the heart tissues is slowed down. A person feels prolonged pain in the region of the heart, arrhythmia, slowing of heart contractions. The increased level of hormones causes damage to the right ventricle, which manifests itself in frequent heart beats, chest pains, edema, and liver hypertrophy.

Dysmetabolic myocardial dystrophy develops when the coronary vessels are affected, metabolic disorders develop in the body. The main source of pathology is diabetes mellitus. Manifestations: the heart hurts, there is a resemblance to angina pectoris, but the syndrome does not go away after taking "Nitroglycerin", it is felt weaker and does not arise under the influence of physical exertion.

The anemic type of dystrophy is associated with the manifestation of anemia, severe bleeding, iron deficiency in pregnant women, and hypoxia of the whole body. The patient has an inconsistent heart rate, an acceleration of the heartbeat, swelling of the legs, aching pain in the chest, shortness of breath worries, the skin turns pale.

Alcohol also causes degenerative changes in the myocardium. Alcohol dystrophy manifests itself during prolonged binges. Toxic substances create a barrier for energy synthesis, reduce the potassium content in the blood. In this case, pain may be absent, but arrhythmia, shortness of breath, neurological disorders, excessive sweating, anxiety, and hand tremors appear.

The tonsilogenic form of myocardial damage appears when chronic tonsillitis gives a complication to the heart. At risk are people who often get colds, sore throats, and suffer from sore throats.The main manifestations of pathology: interruptions in the rhythm of the heart, a feeling of weakness, painful aching or stabbing character in the chest.

Cardiac myocardial dystrophy is often the result of excessive physical exertion ("athletic heart" syndrome).

Pathological changes in the heart muscle in this case are due to long-term, intense sports training, which is typical for professional athletes. This condition is manifested by low pressure, a decrease in the heart rate, severe weakness, a feeling of heartbeat, stitching pains in the chest.

Complex myocardial dystrophy - what is it? Several different factors are required for the development of complex myocardial dystrophy. Moreover, they all have nothing to do with cardiac diseases. The main provoking factor is impaired metabolism. Additional - bad habits, poisoning, endocrine disorders. The pathological process is difficult, more often in a chronic form, less often in an acute form. The first signs of dystrophic syndrome are rather nonspecific. Cardiac symptoms appear in the later stages: rapid fatigue, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, heart pain.

Myocardial dystrophy of mixed genesis occurs against a background of several different reasons: vitamin deficiency, neurogenic and electrolyte disturbances, dysmetabolism, hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, and a decrease in hemoglobin levels. As a result, the myocardium increases, its cells stretch, the partitions between the chambers become thinner. It is difficult to notice signs of pathology, minor pains occur in the region of the heart under the influence of increased physical activity. Dystrophic changes grow rapidly and are difficult to treat.

General and specific symptoms

Myocardial dystrophy is a sign of the presence of another disease. Therefore, its symptoms can be of a typical cardiological nature, and also combine the specific features of primary pathology.

Common symptoms of myocardial dystrophy:

1. Pain in the heart or behind the sternum of varying intensity, duration and character. Usually occur after physical exertion. May extend to the left side of the body. "Nitroglycerin" does not relieve pain.
2. Pallor of the skin, a feeling of loss of strength, fatigue comes very quickly.
3. Difficulty breathing occurs due to oxygen deficiency associated with insufficient blood circulation. At the initial stage of development, pathology appears after exertion.
4. The lower part of the legs is swollen. The reason is a violation of the blood supply.
5. Abnormal heart rate: faster, slower, or faster heartbeats.

Specific signs:

1. Thyrotoxicosis, together with heart dystrophy, causes an increase in pressure, significant weight loss, and tachycardia.
2. Hypothyroidism causes edema of myocardial tissues, this is noticeable on ultrasound.
3. With alcoholic dystrophy, the development of hepatomegaly, ascites, heart failure is possible.
4. Dystrophy in childhood is manifested by asthenia, dull heart sounds, weakness, and chronic fatigue.
5. Anemia as a source of myocardial dystrophy gives specific murmurs in the upper part of the lungs and above the level of the pulmonary artery.
6. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland manifests itself as a weak pulse, low blood pressure, a feeling of chilliness, deaf heart sounds.
7. With menopause, mood swings, sleepless nights, a feeling of lack of air will torment.
8. Tonsilogenic dystrophy causes increased sweating, inconsistent pulse rhythm, increased blood pressure, severe heart pain.

Causes

The following pathologies can cause violations of the contractile function of the heart:

• Excessive physical overload for a long time.
• Deviations associated with improper metabolism.
• Hormonal disruptions.
• The action of drugs (for example, cardiac glycosides, cytostatics, antibacterial agents).
• Chronic breeding grounds of infection in the body.
• Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Poisoning with nicotine, ethanol, drugs, toxic elements at work.
• Inadequate nutrition (lack of protein, vitamins, trace elements).
• Nervous disorders.
• Cardiac and vascular pathologies (defects, myocarditis, hypertension).

Treatment of myocardial dystrophy

The treatment process includes drug treatment, optimization of the daily routine and dietary nutrition. The patient can undergo treatment of myocardial dystrophy at home, taking prescribed medications. The therapeutic effect is carried out in the following directions:

1. Elimination of the cause of the pathology, since the symptoms and treatment of dystrophy completely depend on it.
2. Providing normal nutrition to the heart muscle.
3. Stabilization of metabolic reactions in myocardial tissues.

To improve the patient's condition and prevent pathological changes, the following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of myocardial dystrophy:

• A group of drugs with a high content of calcium and potassium ("Asparkam"). They help restore electrolyte balance, stabilize the functions of the pathways.
• Magnesium is needed for normal electrolyte balance, restores damaged cells, and helps oxygenate cells.
• Preparations to improve metabolic reactions ("Mildronate"). Relieve pain in the heart, provide blood supply to damaged areas. Promote the removal of waste elements. Promotes cellular respiration.
• "Riboxin" is needed to improve respiration and metabolism in tissues, helps the heart to contract well and to fully rest.
• "Dipyridamole" promotes good blood flow, relieves pain, dilates the walls of blood vessels.
• "Anaprilin" from the group of beta-blockers reduces the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on the myocardium. The load on the heart decreases, it contracts at a moderate pace.
• "Theonikol" (anticoagulant) is necessary for nutrition, respiration, cell regeneration, and ATP synthesis. Stimulates the course of redox processes.

Lifestyle optimization plays an important role in the treatment of myocardial dystrophy. This is necessary to maintain the heart muscle and its rapid recovery:

1. Full rest during the day and at night.
2. Adequate physical activity.
3. The use of a contrast shower, therapeutic baths.
4. Massage treatments to improve blood flow.
5. Development of stress resistance. Relaxing activities.
6. Refusal of addictions.
7. Normalization of nutrition: low in calories, salt, limited fluid intake, saturation with vitamins, a ban on fatty and smoked foods.

Forecast

The prognosis for early treatment of myocardial dystrophy will be favorable. The patient manages to completely get rid of unpleasant symptoms and avoid the development of serious complications. The advanced stage of the pathology will lead to irreversible changes and deadly conditions: heart failure, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction.

Myocardial dystrophy is a common pathology, so it will not be superfluous for each person to learn a little more about it. This will help to avoid untimely detection of dangerous changes in the functionality of the heart muscle. To keep your heart healthy, you need to watch out for any suspicious symptoms. The adequate response of the pathological syndrome to treatment allows positive predictions to be made in relation to it.