The diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction is now fairly common, especially among older women, most of whom are shocked to hear they have a heart problem at all. While some of these patients will go on to develop actual diastolic heart failure, many will not - especially if they get appropriate medical care, and also take care of themselves.
The diagnosis of diastolic heart failure, unfortunately, is often missed by unwary physicians. Because once the patient presenting with diastolic heart failure has been stabilized, unless the doctor looks specifically for evidence of diastolic dysfunction on the echocardiogram, the heart can appear entirely "normal."
Diastolic heart failure, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is defined as symptoms of heart failure in a patient with preserved left ventricular function. It is characterized by a stiff left ventricle with decreased compliance and impaired relaxation, which leads to increased end diastolic pressure.
Patients who have had an episode of diastolic heart failure have a somewhat better prognosis than patients with traditional, systolic heart failure - but a far worse prognosis than patients without heart failure or diastolic dysfunction. Given this relatively poor prognosis, patients should be aggressively evaluated and treated even after their acute episodes of heart failure have been resolved.
The diagnosis of diastolic heart failure, unfortunately, is often missed by unwary physicians. Because once the patient presenting with diastolic heart failure has been stabilized, unless the doctor looks specifically for evidence of diastolic dysfunction on the echocardiogram, the heart can appear entirely "normal."
Diastolic heart failure, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is defined as symptoms of heart failure in a patient with preserved left ventricular function. It is characterized by a stiff left ventricle with decreased compliance and impaired relaxation, which leads to increased end diastolic pressure.
Patients who have had an episode of diastolic heart failure have a somewhat better prognosis than patients with traditional, systolic heart failure - but a far worse prognosis than patients without heart failure or diastolic dysfunction. Given this relatively poor prognosis, patients should be aggressively evaluated and treated even after their acute episodes of heart failure have been resolved.
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