I have diastolic dysfunction. How can I manage it?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with diastolic dysfunction six months ago. For the last two months, the ECG and echo showed left ventricular hypertrophy with 3.6 mV. I feel pain in the heart region, and it increases with exertion.

My blood pressure is mostly high in the morning, and I also experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and sometimes dizziness.

Please help me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Chest pain that worsens with exertion and is alleviated with rest is often due to ischemic heart disease and needs further evaluation after a thorough physical examination by a physician or heart specialist (cardiologist).

Diastolic dysfunction often develops first, followed by systolic dysfunction, particularly if you have an underlying myocardial ischemia or coronary artery disease.

Uncontrolled blood pressure leads to left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction and is also a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease.

Heart-related typical chest pain is exertional in nature. It is accompanied by diaphoresis, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom and relieved by rest, and commonly described as a pressure or heaviness in the chest. The pain frequently radiates to the neck, jaw, shoulder, or left arm.

Given these features, an in-person consultation is suggested for a comprehensive physical examination. Baseline investigations such as laboratory tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), or echocardiography should be performed or repeated as needed.

Depending on the clinical findings, further evaluation with a cardiac stress test may be indicated.

I hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need to know anything else, and I would be happy to answer.

Take care and regards.