Language
Country/Area
No result found
The surprising connection between the heart and muscles: Why are people with Beck muscular dystrophy prone to heart arrhythmias?
Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a disease caused by mutations in the DMD gene and usually occurs in males. The disease is characterized by a gradual loss of muscle strength, particularly in the legs and pelvic area. Because of its close connection to heart health, people with this type of muscular dystrophy are often at risk for heart problems such as heart arrhythmias.
This degenerative muscle disease causes a direct impact on the heart muscle, with many patients reporting symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias early in life.
Why does arrhythmia occur?
Most of the heart problems faced by people with Becker muscular dystrophy come from a deficiency of an important protein called dystrophin. This protein is essential for maintaining the integrity and function of heart cells. When the DMD gene mutation leads to insufficient production of dansene, the function of the heart muscle is threatened and may eventually cause heart arrhythmia.
Symptoms of Becker Muscular DystrophyDansine not only plays a role in skeletal muscle, it is also essential for heart health, which is why these patients often experience heart problems.
Symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy usually appear between the ages of 8 and 25 and commonly include:
- Weakness of the leg and pelvic muscles, making walking difficult.
- The calf muscles will initially swell, but will eventually be replaced by fat and loose tissue.
- Although muscle weakness may occur in the upper arms and neck, these symptoms are usually milder than in the lower body.
The dangers of heart complications
Over time, patients may face the following heart-related complications:
- Heart arrhythmia: Due to the weakening of the heart muscle, patients may often experience irregular heartbeats.
- Heart failure: As heart function declines further, more serious heart problems may develop.
- Cardiomyopathy: As the muscle degenerates, the heart muscle may become less able to function effectively.
Identifying these possible complications early can improve a patient's quality of life and reduce the risk of heart problems.
Treatment methods and management strategies
There is currently no cure for Becker muscular dystrophy, but there are many management strategies that can improve patients' quality of life. These methods include:
- Physical therapy: Specific exercises and treatments are used to strengthen muscles and reduce weakness.
- Use orthotics or walkers to improve mobility.
- Drug treatment, including hormone drugs (such as steroids), which increase the production of proteins similar to lysine.
- Specialized treatment for heart disease, such as implantation of a pacemaker.
The most important thing is that patients should detect heart problems in time through regular examinations so that they can be treated early.
Future Research Directions
With the development of new treatments such as gene therapy, it is expected that the treatment of Becker muscular dystrophy will be improved in the future. Many researchers are working on innovative approaches to address the underlying genetic mutations.
Conclusion
The quality of life of people with Becker muscular dystrophy is affected by multiple factors, among which heart health is an important aspect. As medical technology advances, can we expect a more effective treatment option that will make the lives of these patients better?
