To understand what myocardial dystrophy is, you need to know the definition of the term "myocardium." This is the striated muscle of the heart, performing the function of a "pump". Namely, pumping blood through the heart. Thus, dystrophy of the heart muscle is a violation of its functioning.
What is included in the concept of "dystrophy of the heart muscle"
From a medical point of view, myocardial dystrophy is a violation of the functioning of the muscle tissue of the heart, not associated with inflammatory lesions, but arising under the influence of pathological changes in the chemical and biophysical processes responsible for heart contraction.
Until 1936, myocardial dystrophy was included in the concept of myocarditis. G.F. Lang revealed that non-inflammatory pathologies can be the causes of myocarditis. Thus, myocardial dystrophy began to stand out separately. Those cases when there are only initial changes in muscle tissue (hypertrophy) and the reasons for their occurrence are not clear, it is customary to call primary cardiopathies.
Myocardial dystrophy extends to all the muscle cells of the heart. Therefore, it is ridiculous to hear diagnoses such as "dystrophy of the left ventricle of the heart." Probably, this refers to left ventricular hypertrophy (in other words, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). In contrast to this disease, myocardial dystrophy is considered a reversible pathology. Therefore, it does not occur specific morphological changes in the heart muscle.
Main reasons
Any changes and pathologies of the body have their own reasons, but not all can still be determined. Myocardial dystrophy is one of such diseases. The main ones are:
- hypoxemia (lowering of oxygen in the blood);
- toxic poisoning (including drug addiction and alcoholism);
- vitamin deficiency (complete absence of vitamins) and hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency);
- General dystrophy, cachexia (extreme exhaustion of the body) ;
- endocrine disorders ( pituitary dysfunction, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis);
- violation of electrolyte, fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism;
- myopathy, myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorders);
- hormonal imbalance (with menopause);
- improper fasting and some diets.
Clinic of dystrophy of the heart muscle
The clinical picture of this disorder depends on the underlying disease in which myocardial dystrophy occurs. Often called complaints are:
- discomfort in the heart region;
- general weakness;
- pain in the heart of a aching, stitching and oppressive nature, not responding to nitroglycerin and having a long course;
- decreased performance;
- shortness of breath during physical exertion and walking;
- fast fatiguability;
- arrhythmias (often extrasystole and tachycardia).
Dystrophy of the heart muscle is a concomitant disease and is additionally diagnosed. In this regard, there are no special methods for making this diagnosis. Clinical symptoms are best shown by an ECG.
Treatment and prevention
The duration of treatment and the prescribed drugs are determined by the underlying disease, which caused changes in the functioning of the heart muscle. Naturally, all these are functions of a doctor. If myocardial dystrophy is put as the main diagnosis, it is necessary to insist on determining the cause of this disease. The effectiveness of the prescribed course depends on this.
Prevention of myocardial dystrophy is a warning and timely treatment of underlying diseases. Such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and others. Compliance with certain principles of behavior will also reduce the risk of heart muscle dystrophy (giving up bad habits, good nutrition, age-appropriate physical activity, and so on).