Diastolic heart failure causes a stiff left ventricle that prevents the heart from relaxing between beats. Common symptoms include coughing, tiredness, and shortness of breath.
Both systolic and diastolic heart failure involve the left side of the heart. Both types of heart failure can eventually lead to right-ventricle heart failure over time. During diastolic heart failure, the heart cannot pump an adequate amount of blood throughout the body or has to pump with increased pressure.
However, there are important differences between the two. For example, with systolic heart failure, the left ventricle becomes weak. With diastolic heart failure, the left ventricle bulks.
There are many symptoms, causes, and treatments for this high-mortality condition. Read on to learn more about diastolic heart failure.
Diastolic heart failure happens when the heart does not relax properly between beats. This means it is unable to pump blood throughout the body the way it should and has to function at a higher pressure, which can cause symptoms.
If the heart pumps less blood, less oxygen goes to vital organs and tissues.
Heart contractions and diastolic heart failure
When the heart muscles contract, known as the systolic phase, the heart twists and closes slightly — like a wringing motion.
Then, in the diastole phase, the muscle fibers relax, unwind, and stretch.
Each of these motions is essential for allowing the heart to expand and draw blood into the ventricles.
With diastolic heart failure, the second phase of a heartbeat is challenged by its
Vs. systolic heart failure
Systolic and diastolic heart failure
Systolic heart failure happens when the pumps of the heart are not strong enough to move blood around the body effectively.
Diastolic heart failure means the heart does not relax correctly between beats.
In both cases, the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should.
A person can experience systolic and diastolic heart failure at the same time.
Ejection fraction
Diastolic heart failure is
Ejection fraction is how doctors measure what proportion of the blood leaves the heart each time it contracts.
A healthy heart should pump blood at an ejection fraction of
If the ejection fraction is lower than this, it can mean there is damage or heart failure involving the left ventricle, and systolic dysfunction is present.
Several factors may lead to a person being more likely to develop diastolic heart failure.
Who is most likely to have heart failure?
Heart failure is most common among older adults. Statistics show that heart failure affects around
Underlying conditions
Diastolic heart failure may arise from any number of pre-existing conditions,
Is it hereditary?
Diastolic heart failure may also be hereditary.
People may be more prone to the condition if people in their family history had conditions that can cause it, such as high blood pressure.
Additionally, certain types of genetic conditions link to diastolic heart failure, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart muscle abnormality. It
Certain inherited forms of amyloidosis can
The first symptoms a person with diastolic heart failure might notice are the same symptoms that come with any type of heart failure,
- coughing
- tiredness
- shortness of breath
- swelling in the legs
- swelling in the abdomen
- exercise intolerance
A person may notice that any kind of physical exertion, including day-to-day activities, becomes much more difficult due to fatigue and shortness of breath.
According to the
The first is the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification. This method examines a person’s physical ability and has the following stages:
| Stage | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| 1 | Physical activity does not cause problems for the person, such as tiredness, palpitations, or shortness of breath. |
| 2 | There are some limitations in the person’s physical activity. The person feels comfortable when resting. The person’s usual physical activity makes them tired, gives them palpitations, or causes shortness of breath. |
| 3 | There are substantial limitations in the person’s physical activity. The person feels comfortable when resting. Physical activities that are less difficult than daily tasks cause fatigue, palpitations, or shortness of breath. |
| 4 | The person cannot do any kind of activity without experiencing discomfort. The person notices symptoms of heart failure at rest. If the person tries any physical activity, they feel even more uncomfortable. |
The ACC/AHA stages of heart failure guidelines provide an objective assessment of cardiovascular disease:
| Stage | Objective assessment |
|---|---|
| A: At risk | The person has no heart disease, but they have risk factors for heart failure, such as hypertension or family history. |
| B: Pre-heart failure | There is structural heart disease or increased filling pressures but no symptoms. |
| C: Symptomatic heart failure | The person has structural heart disease with current or past symptoms. |
| D: Advanced heart failure | There are marked symptoms that interfere with daily life despite medical treatment. |
A doctor
For example, if a person is experiencing no symptoms, but their ejection fraction is 45%, they have NYHA Class I, ACC/AHA Stage B heart failure.
A doctor may order the
- Blood tests: A doctor may use blood tests to measure molecules that increase during heart failure, such as brain natriuretic peptide. Blood tests may also show a doctor whether a person’s liver or kidneys are working well.
- Echocardiography: An echocardiogram can help a doctor measure a person’s ejection fraction.
- Other imaging tests: A doctor may order more imaging tests to check a person’s heart structure and function, such as:
- Electrical tests: A person may require tests of their electrical functions, such as:
- electrocardiogram
- Holter or event monitor
- Stress tests: This test stresses the heart with exercise or medication to assess its response to stress and its effect on blood flow to the heart, if any.
There is currently no cure for any kind of heart failure.
However, a person can improve their symptoms and outlook with the right treatment.
Behavioral changes
A person can take up heart-healthy habits to help treat and manage diastolic heart failure. These
- consuming less sodium
- maintaining a moderate weight
- undertaking physical activity where possible
- avoiding smoking
- avoiding alcohol
- reducing stress, where possible
- ensuring they get good-quality sleep
Medications
A person may require medicines that can help treat symptoms of diastolic heart failure,
| Type | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aldosterone antagonists | reduce the amount of blood that the heart must pump | spironolactone |
| Diuretics | treat fluid overload and reduce edema | furosemide |
| Blood pressure medications | lower blood pressure | ACE-inhibitors, spironolactone |
| Antiarrhythmic medications | treat atrial fibrillation | beta-blockers, digoxin |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | lower glucose and reduce cardiovascular risk | glifozins |
A person can live many years after a diagnosis of diastolic heart failure, but they
In 2019, researchers published a
The results suggest that, after receiving a diagnosis of diastolic heart failure, the overall chances of survival are as follows:
| Time | Survival rate |
|---|---|
| 1 year or longer | 75.9% |
| 5 years or longer | 45.5% |
| 10 years or longer | 24.5% |
| 15 years or longer | 12.7% |
People who did not have to spend time in the hospital at the time of their initial diagnosis were more likely to survive longer than those who did.
Here are some questions people often ask about diastolic heart failure.
How long can you live with diastolic heart failure?
Some
Is diastolic heart failure serious?
Diastolic heart failure
Which heart failure is worse, diastolic or systolic?
Despite research, experts are unable to say whether one is more dangerous than the other. Other factors can also affect the outcome, such as a person’s age and whether or not they smoke. It is best to assume that both are potentially dangerous for health. It is essential for people to seek medical help and follow the treatment plan to avoid potentially severe complications.
Diastolic heart failure directly affects the function of the heart, impairing its ability to pump blood to essential organs.
Though there is no known cure, early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure symptoms are essential for managing the condition and extending life expectancy.