Each person is recommended to undergo a full medical examination at least once a year. As you know, the heart is the most important organ, and its verification is mandatory. Modern equipment allows you to diagnose most of the heart diseases. For example, metabolic changes in the myocardium are deviations from the isoline segments during an electrocardiogram. And usually this is a sign of some kind of illness. Such changes can lead to impaired contractility of the heart. However, even in a healthy person, such deviations are sometimes observed.
How to identify ECG abnormalities
Any patient who complains of heart problems should have an electrocardiogram. It allows doctors to find out complete and, most importantly, accurate information about the state of this organ. The essence of this procedure is to analyze the indicators of electric charge, which provokes a contraction of the heart muscle.
This happens as follows: electrodes are attached to the patient's body, the impact of which is presented in the form of a graph on paper. After deciphering this scheme, the doctor understands how the heart works in a particular patient, and whether there are any violations.
If there are no deviations, then the electrical activity will be uniform. Metabolic changes in the myocardium will be reflected by the corresponding deviations. The causes of such disorders can be very different, and some of them require urgent treatment, while others do not pose a danger. But in most cases, metabolic changes in the myocardium on the ECG are an additional symptom to a more serious disease.
Classification of pathologies
The heart muscle is prone to abnormalities, and they can develop in two forms: focal and metabolic. The first arise, as a rule, due to a heart attack. As for the second, they are divided into diffuse and dysmetabolic.
The first ones say that inflammatory processes occur in the heart or metabolic disorders occur. Such deviations can lead not only to problems with heart contraction, but also to a failure of the water balance in the body.
Dysmetabolic changes in the myocardium, which indicate damage to the heart muscle, are quite common. These disorders are clearly visible on the cardiogram of patients suffering from ischemia or angina pectoris.
A metabolic change in the myocardium occurs as a result of a lack of oxygen in the heart. And also it can be a consequence of vitamin deficiency or poisoning.
The causes of the disease
It is important to understand that the pathology in question is not an independent disease - it acts as a symptom for more serious ailments. Metabolic changes in the myocardium are characteristic of disorders of the cardiovascular system.
And the most common cause of deviation is angina pectoris, which is a mismatch between the actual incoming blood flow and the need for it. This disease develops as a result of formations that subsequently block the patency of blood flow, leading to myocardial infarction.
Also, metabolic changes are a sign of hypertension, arrhythmia, heart disease and other diseases belonging to this group. In addition, such deviations may result from other problems:
- improper metabolism;
- excess weight ;
- bad habits;
- chemical poisoning;
- infections and allergies.
Metabolic changes in the myocardium in a child most often occur as a result of viral infections entering the body or in the presence of malformations of the heart muscle. In most cases, these deviations in childhood are not dangerous.
Key features
Symptoms of the described pathology vary depending on which disease caused the changes. But doctors still distinguish four common symptoms that are worth paying attention to. These symptoms are common to all patients with this deviation:
- unpleasant pain in the chest;
- heart rhythm problems;
- after exercise, shortness of breath appears;
- fast fatiguability.
Such unpleasant moments in most cases act as a warning in a more serious disease. You can determine the accuracy of the information during the passage of the electrocardiogram. As we have already said, metabolic changes in the ventricular myocardium are distinguished by the corresponding lines on the graph.
Diagnostics
But sometimes deviations from the norm, found during the procedure, are not accompanied by pain. This may mean that there is nothing to worry about, and there is no danger to health. However, doctors make a diagnosis of the following symptoms:
- weakness;
- severe dizziness;
- sudden weight loss or weight gain;
- trembling hands.
If such symptoms are detected along with moderate metabolic changes in the myocardium, then a full examination, including an ECG, is prescribed. For patients, a general blood test is prescribed without fail, where the level of hemoglobin and leukocytes is examined. In addition, it is recommended to carry out an ultrasound of the internal organs.
Treatment methods
As already noted, metabolic changes in the myocardium can be caused by a large number of reasons, and doctors repel this when prescribing therapy. In other words, in each case, the treatment method will be different.
General therapy is aimed at normalizing heart function, eliminating insufficiency and relieving cramping. Effective for this are drugs containing potassium salts. Doctors often recommend taking energy-providing drugs that help improve oxygen intake. In addition, a vitamin complex and physiotherapeutic procedures should definitely be added to the course of treatment.
The most common deviation of the heart muscle is considered to be a metabolic change in the myocardium of the left ventricle. This is due to the structure of the organ. To deal with deviations, you will need to change your usual lifestyle:
- get rid of bad habits;
- consult a psychologist to normalize the emotional state;
- make a balanced diet;
- Do not overload yourself with physical activity;
- take regular walks;
- provide yourself with a good rest.
Nonspecific lesions
In rare cases, when conducting an electrocardiogram, doctors find nonspecific lesions. Most often, they are outside the heart, and therefore do not attract much attention. Typically, lesions are located on the ventricles of the myocardium. They appear as a result of malnutrition, metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
Metabolic myocardial changes of this nature in most cases are harmless, but this does not mean that they do not need to be paid attention to. Sometimes they can develop into serious heart pathologies, provoking diseases such as heart failure, angina pectoris, and others. In order to reduce the risk of disease, a cardiologist should be examined twice a year.
Conclusion
The described deviations are quite common. Most often, they are caused by an incorrect lifestyle, and if corrected, the work of the heart muscle will be restored. Here the main role is played by the diet. To normalize the contraction of the heart muscle, it is recommended to eat fish, lean meat and poultry, dairy products, cereals, and prunes. Every day you need to add fresh vegetables and fruits to your diet. In addition, try not to consume alcohol, chocolate, sodas and fatty foods.
Many people suffer from pains in the region of the heart, and not everyone at the same time seeks help from a specialist. In this regard, a large number of unpleasant situations arise. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately make an appointment with the doctor and find out the cause of the pain.