Myocardial dystrophy - what is it?

The loss of the ability of the heart to contract is myocardial dystrophy, the symptoms and treatment of which must be known. This disease requires careful attention to the course. Lack of necessary therapy can lead to disability.

Myocardial dystrophy is a pathology in which the metabolism in the heart muscle is disturbed, due to which it can lose its ability to contract. Untimely access to a specialist can lead to the development of heart failure.

With the development of the disease, the structure of the myocardium is damaged, the work of its cells is disrupted. Myocardial dystrophy of the heart occurs as a result of certain disorders in the body.

Stages and symptoms of the disease

Gradually develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations even at rest, increased fatigue. There is no pain in the heart area, but many patients report some discomfort.

With the development of pathology, the symptoms intensify. Cough joins shortness of breath and tachycardia, especially at night.

Dystrophic changes in the heart muscle occur in three stages:

1. The myocardium wears out. The patient has symptoms such as heart pain and heavy breathing. The level of physical endurance is significantly reduced. No changes can be seen on the electrocardiogram.
2. The initial stage of deterioration of contractile function. There are symptoms such as arrhythmia, swelling of the extremities, shortness of breath. The cardiogram shows minor changes.
3. Contractile function is greatly reduced. The tone of the heart muscles decreases. The patient is accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, constant pain in the heart, shortness of breath, fatigue. All changes are clearly visible on the ECG.

Types of pathological changes

The classification is:

1. Dishormonal myocardial dystrophy.
2. Dysmetabolic myocardial dystrophy.
3. Myocardial dystrophy of mixed genesis.
4. Myocardial dystrophy of complex origin.

Dishormonal myocardial dystrophy occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance. Typically, the disease affects women during menopause and men with a disorder in testosterone production.

This type of disease in women develops at an accelerated pace, therefore, after 45 years, it is recommended to undergo preventive examinations in order to detect changes in the myocardium as early as possible.

Most doctors do not consider myocardial dystrophy of the metabolic type as a separate type of disease - these are dystrophic changes as a result of metabolic disorders.

This may happen if:

• a person lacks vitamins, minerals;
• protein metabolism in tissues is disturbed.

A disease of mixed genesis occurs as a result of the presence of low hemoglobin, beriberi, endocrine disorders, that is, the pathological process begins under the influence of several factors. Such diffuse-dystrophic changes lead to myocardial deformation, stretching of its cells and a decrease in the thickness of the septum.

Diffuse-dystrophic changes of complex origin develop under the influence of external factors:

• alcohol abuse;
• smoking;
• addiction;
• endocrine and metabolic disorders;
• body poisoning.

Treatment of myocardial dystrophy

In some cases, it even helps to normalize the work of the heart.

Treatment of myocardial dystrophy is carried out with the help of such drugs:

1. metabolic agents. Reduce changes in the heart muscle, eliminate symptoms, improve the patient's well-being.
2. Antioxidant drugs. They do not allow lipids to be oxidized in the cells of the heart muscle. Due to this, cell membranes are not damaged, harmful substances do not penetrate into them.
3. Calcium channel antagonists. The high content of calcium in the cells leads to relaxation of the tissues of the heart muscle, because of this, its energy supply is disrupted, and the structure of the cells is also damaged. Therefore, these drugs are indispensable in the treatment of myocardial dystrophy, if the patient does not suffer from heart failure.
4. Stabilizers of lysosomal membranes. They stop the penetration into the cells of the enzyme that destroys the protein.
5. With a lack of salts in the heart muscle, potassium preparations may be prescribed. They fill in the gap.
6. Beta-blockers are used to reduce stress on the heart. Especially often they are prescribed if the patient suffers from hypertension, arrhythmia or tachycardia.
7. Antihypoxants. Such drugs eliminate the lack of oxygen in the heart muscle.

Lifestyle with myocardial dystrophy

Following the recommendations of the doctor will help to significantly improve well-being and speed up recovery.

The patient must correctly distribute physical activity.

It is advised to follow these rules:

1. Sleep at least eight hours a night and rest for at least an hour during the day.
2. Light exercise is helpful. It is better if you do them every day, but excessive load is contraindicated. This may lead to a worsening of the condition.
3. It is advisable to perform breathing exercises, swim, walk for several kilometers, ride a bicycle.
4. If during physical exertion the heart begins to hurt, weakness and shortness of breath appear, you need to take a break until your health returns to normal.
5. It is undesirable to be at too high or low temperatures. Heat accelerates the heartbeat and increases the load on the heart muscle, and cold leads to vasospasm and poor blood circulation.
6. It is important to avoid stress and nervous strain. You can use herbal sedatives, such as valerian or motherwort. It is useful to engage in meditation and auto-training. It helps a lot of people calm down.
7. You need to stop drinking alcohol and smoking. They increase the load on the heart and negatively affect the course of the disease.

A disease such as myocardial dystrophy also requires proper nutrition. From the diet it is necessary to exclude coffee, fatty, spicy foods, smoked meats and spices, rich broths. It is useful to eat more vegetables, fruits, dairy products, berries, baked meat and low-fat fish.

Dystrophic changes in the myocardium are quite treatable, the main thing is to consult a doctor in time before irreversible processes begin.