Language
Country/Area
No result found
Mysteries of heart failure: Why do some people feel sick even though their ejection fraction is normal?
Heart failure is a concerning health condition, especially when people have a condition called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Such patients may have normal ejection fractions but feel unwell, making the disease even more confusing and complex.
Characteristics of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction include unusual diastolic dysfunction, which causes the heart to be unable to fill efficiently, affecting overall cardiac efficiency.
Definition and symptoms of HFpEF
HFpEF is a special type of heart failure in which, despite an ejection fraction defined as greater than 50%, patients may still experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, shortness of breath during exertion, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. These symptoms are related to the heart's inability to relax properly, making it difficult for the heart to cope with physiological stress.
Risk factors for HFpEFOther risk factors for HFpEF include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. These factors can promote the increase of left ventricular stiffness and further affect its diastolic function.
Pathophysiology of HFpEFWith aging, physiological changes in the heart may accelerate the development of HFpEF, raising the question of whether there is a way to prevent this process.
The pathological process of HFpEF is significantly different from that of HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction). In patients with HFpEF, ventricular wall thickness is increased, which results in ventricular rigidity and filling impairment. This rigidity can cause diastolic dysfunction in the heart, which prevents the heart from filling adequately during diastole.
Diagnosing HFpEF
Diagnosis of HFpEF usually requires evaluation of the heart's diastolic function using echocardiography. By observing ventricular filling and the corresponding hemodynamics, signs of diastolic dysfunction can be detected. When a patient is exercising, the heart cannot respond appropriately to the demands, and a stress ultrasound performed in this situation can reveal additional abnormalities.
Future Research Directions
Currently, research on HFpEF is still ongoing, and scientists hope to further explore the microscopic mechanisms that lead to these physiological changes and find effective prevention and treatment methods. Because the roles of inflammation and other endocrine factors are not fully understood, future efforts will focus on whether these factors can actually affect cardiac function and structure.
Many people who experience HFpEF may wonder whether maintaining a healthy lifestyle is enough to completely prevent the disease. Does this mean we need to rethink the way we understand heart health?
