Under the influence of various adverse factors, the process of dying of heart cells can start. As a result, they are replaced by scar tissue, characterized by a high content of protein and collagen. In medicine, pathology is commonly called cardiosclerosis. It is important to understand that a scar on the heart is a condition that poses a danger not only to health, but also to the life of the patient. In this regard, if the first alarming signs occur, you need to contact a cardiologist. The specialist will draw up a referral to a comprehensive diagnosis, based on the results of which will make the most effective treatment regimen. Therapy may include both conservative and surgical techniques.
Pathogenesis
It is important to understand that the scar on the heart is such a protective reaction of the body that occurs during the formation of necrotic foci. In most cases, the death of heart muscle cells is observed after a heart attack.
As soon as the process of cell death starts, connective tissue begins to form in this zone. In this way, the body tries to prevent an increase in the area of necrosis. However, a scar on the heart after a heart attack cannot fulfill the function of an organ. That is why the formation of connective tissue is only a temporary solution to the problem, which often leads to the development of life-threatening pathologies.
It is important to understand that a scar on the heart is a condition that prevents the development of acute myocardial failure and the onset of death. But it also delays the development of all kinds of complications. This is due to the fact that heart failure takes on a chronic form, characterized by a constant change in periods of remission with relapse.
Etiology
A scar is always formed in the area of rupture of muscle fibers or in areas of necrosis. The body starts the synthesis of fibrin protein, which in a short time fills the damage.
Causes of scarring in the heart:
- Thrombosis and embolism of blood vessels. According to statistics, half of the world's population aged 40 years and older suffer from pathological changes. For example, a combination of increased blood coagulability and even the initial stage of atherosclerosis leads to thrombosis. The formed clot of liquid connective tissue partially narrows the lumen of the vessel. As a result, heart cells do not receive the required amount of nutrients and oxygen and begin to die. This situation poses a threat to life, therefore, fibrotic changes occur very quickly.
- Myocarditis. One of the most common causes of scarring in the heart. Under the influence of adverse factors (allergy, infection, etc.), myocardial muscle tissue becomes inflamed. As a result, dilatation develops, due to which the heart wears out and is damaged. Microtraumas are subsequently replaced by connective tissue.
- Coronary artery disease. This term refers to a pathological condition characterized by chronic oxygen starvation of the myocardium. As a result, the process of degenerative-dystrophic changes is launched.
- Heart attack. A scar on the heart after it appears most often. The danger is that sometimes a heart attack is asymptomatic, and changes are detected only on the ECG.
Doctors distinguish myocardial dystrophy as a separate cause of scar formation. This is a pathological condition in which atrophic changes are noticeable in the heart, that is, the tissues are weaker and thinner than they should be.
Causes of myocardial dystrophy:
- Vitamin deficiency in the body.
- Lack of magnesium, calcium and potassium.
- Overweight.
- Frequent and high-intensity physical activity.
Doctors say that if at least one close relative has a scar on the heart after a heart attack, it is necessary to visit a cardiologist every year for the purpose of prevention.
Types of scars
Against the background of the course of various pathologies, one of three types of fibrosis can form:
- Focal. It has clear boundaries and a specific location. For example, the scar may be on the back wall of the heart muscle.
- Diffuse. It differs in that it affects all tissues.
- Diffuse focal. This form is mixed. It is characterized by the presence of small pathological foci that are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the heart. Sometimes scars fuse together.
Cardiologists say that scars on the heart are such a pathology, the treatment of which is not only difficult, but also long. In most cases, doctors draw up a treatment plan aimed at maintaining the functioning of the body.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms and their severity directly depend on what disease caused the damage to muscle tissue. Cardiologists claim that scars on the heart after a heart attack (a photo of the affected organ are schematically presented below) can form over several years. Moreover, the process is often asymptomatic.
The absence of clinical manifestations is due to the fact that the body manages to maintain contractility and compensate for the volume of normal tissue. When he is no longer able to fully function, the following symptoms appear:
- Pain in the chest.
- Severe shortness of breath.
- Swelling of the face and limbs.
- Extreme fatigue even after slight physical exertion.
- Increased fatigue.
Over time, the fingertips on both the upper and lower extremities become bluish. This is a specific sign of severe heart failure. At this stage, doctors are taking measures to prevent further damage to the heart. Often the only way to save the patient’s life is surgery.
Diagnostics
If the first alarming signs occur, you should contact your cardiologist as soon as possible. The specialist will collect an anamnesis, conduct a physical examination and draw up a referral for a comprehensive diagnosis, including the following studies:
- ECG.
- Dopplerography.
- Echocardiography.
- Fluoroscopy.
- Coronarography.
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen. In severe cases, he assesses the feasibility of surgical intervention.
Drug treatment
Conservative therapy involves taking medications whose active ingredients help maintain heart function. In addition, patients must follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
The choice of medicines is carried out by the attending physician based on the results of the diagnosis. A cardiologist prescribes drugs that improve heart function, speeding up metabolic processes and restoring the circulation of fluid connective tissue.
An effective method is stem cell treatment. Against the background of their use in the body, natural processes of restoration of affected tissues are launched. They are noticeable soon after the introduction of cardiomyoblast (a specific cellular element). Against the background of treatment, the contractility of the organ is restored and blood circulation improves. In addition, atherosclerotic plaques dissolve, vascular walls strengthen and necrosis is prevented.
If a heart attack develops as a result of a coronary disease, urgent medical treatment is indicated, which implies the administration or intravenous administration of the following drugs:
- Beta-blockers.
- Diuretics.
- Metabolites.
- Nitrate.
- Acetylsalicylic acid.
If a scar on the heart was detected during the passage of the ECG, you need to be prepared for the fact that it will increase in size for several more months. This information is also relevant for patients who have already undergone treatment. With a sharp deterioration in well-being, it is necessary to call an ambulance team. It is possible that emergency surgery will be needed.
Self-medication is strictly prohibited. Wrong drug choices can be fatal.
Installation of a pacemaker
This is a type of surgical treatment, during which the surgeon implants in the patient a device whose task is to maintain normal cardiac conduction and its rhythm. The installation of a pacemaker has no contraindications. In other words, the operation can be performed even for children.
In rare cases, the device is rejected by the body. Typically, this occurs in 2-8% of elderly patients.
Donor organ transplantation
This is a radical operation, which is carried out only if it is impossible to save the patient’s life using other methods. Donor organ transplants are performed only for individuals whose age is less than 65 years.
Contraindications are serious pathologies of the internal organs, which is very rare in practice, since, for example, atherosclerosis and ischemia are on the list of restrictions.
Bypass surgery
The essence of the operation is to expand the lumen of the affected blood vessels. As a rule, this type of surgical intervention is prescribed for severe atherosclerosis. This is a disease in which plaques consisting of "bad" cholesterol settle on the walls of blood vessels. They narrow the lumen, as a result of which the heart does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients. A natural consequence is tissue necrosis.
If the lumen is completely blocked by plaques, the surgeon creates a new vessel bypassing the affected. This allows you to significantly improve the nutrition of tissues and, accordingly, the work of the heart.
Aneurysm removal
This is a specific bulging, which is most often formed in the zone of the left ventricle or posterior wall. After removal of the aneurysm, the blood stops stagnating, and the heart muscle again receives the necessary amount of nutrients and oxygen.
Why are scars dangerous?
Many patients are interested in how much they live with a scar on the heart. It is important to understand that the prognosis depends not only on the underlying disease, but also on the timeliness of going to the doctor. What is it, the causes of scars on the heart, how to treat a pathology - a cardiologist provides all the information regarding an ailment during an appointment.
The most unfavorable prognosis is considered if a scar has formed in the zone of the left ventricle. This site is subjected to the greatest load, which means that its defeat will invariably lead to the development of heart failure. In addition, other organs (including the brain) will begin to suffer from hypoxia, not getting the right amount of oxygen.
A threat to life is also a condition in which both the left ventricle and the mitral valve are affected. In this case, a life-threatening pathology develops - aortic stenosis.
With a timely visit to a doctor and following all the recommendations, the patient has every chance to live a very long time.
Prevention
Cardiosclerosis is a disease of the cardiovascular system. In this regard, both primary and secondary prevention consists in observing the following rules:
- Balanced diet.
- Regular, but moderate physical activity.
- Refusal from smoking and drinking alcohol-containing drinks.
- Avoidance of stressful situations.
- Frequent walks.
- Spa treatment.
In addition, it is necessary to be examined annually by a cardiologist in order to prevent pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Finally
Sometimes, based on the results of studies, the doctor makes a diagnosis of a scar on the heart. What does this concept mean? A scar on the heart is a pathological condition, which is a kind of protective reaction of the body to myocardial damage. The formation of dense connective tissue is triggered in case of violation of the integrity of the muscle or in the event of areas of necrosis on it. Despite this, the pathology needs treatment. It is important to understand that scar tissue cannot perform the functions of the heart, which means that sooner or later it will cause the development of other diseases. The doctor draws up a treatment regimen based on the results of instrumental diagnostics. A treatment plan may include both conservative and surgical methods.