Myocardial dystrophy

To understand what is myocardial degeneration, it is necessary to know the definition of the term "myocardium". This is the striated muscle of the heart, which performs the function of "pump". Namely, pumping blood through the heart. Thus, the dystrophy of the heart muscle - a violation of its functioning.

What is included in the concept of "cardiac muscle dystrophy"

From a medical point of view, myocardial dystrophy is a violation of the functioning of the muscle tissue of the heart, not associated with inflammatory lesions, but caused by pathological changes in the chemical and biophysical processes responsible for contracting the heart.

Until 1936 myocardial dystrophy was included in the concept of myocarditis. G. F. Lang it was revealed that the causes of myocarditis can be non-inflammatory pathologies. Thus, myocardial dystrophy began to stand out separately. Those cases when there are only initial changes in muscle tissue (hypertrophy) and the causes of their occurrence are not clear, it is customary to call primary cardiopathies.

Myocardial dystrophy extends to all myocardial heart cells. Therefore, it is ridiculous to hear such diagnoses as "dystrophy of the left ventricle of the heart". Probably, we mean hypertrophy of the left ventricle (in another, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Unlike this disease, myocardial dystrophy is considered a reversible pathology. Consequently, specific morphological changes in the cardiac muscle do not occur with it.

Main reasons

Any changes and pathologies of the body have their own reasons, but not all can still be determined. Myocardial dystrophy is one of these diseases. The main ones are:

- hypoxemia (lowering the oxygen content in the blood);

- Toxic poisoning (including drug addiction and alcoholism);

- Avitaminosis (complete absence of vitamins) and hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency);

- general dystrophy, cachexia (extreme exhaustion of the body) ;

- Endocrine disorders (dysfunction of the pituitary, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis);

- violation of electrolyte, fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism;

- myopathy, myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorders);

- violation of the hormonal background (with menopause);

- wrong starvation and some diets.

Clinic of cardiac dystrophy

The clinical picture of this disorder depends on the underlying disease, in which myocardial dystrophy occurs. Often called complaints are:

- unpleasant sensations in the heart area;

- general weakness;

- pain in the heart of the aching, thrusting and pressing character, not reacting to nitroglycerin and having a prolonged course;

- decrease in efficiency;

- shortness of breath during physical activity and walking;

- fast fatiguability;

- arrhythmias (more often extrasystole and tachycardia).

Dystrophy of the heart muscle is a concomitant disease and is diagnosed additionally. In this regard, there are no special methods for establishing this diagnosis. Clinical symptoms best show ECG.

Treatment and prevention

Duration of treatment and prescribed drugs are determined by the underlying disease, which caused changes in the functioning of the heart muscle. Naturally, all this is the function of the doctor. If the dystrophy of the myocardium is put as the main diagnosis, it is necessary to insist on determining the cause that caused the disease. The efficiency of the appointed course depends on this.

Prevention of myocardial dystrophy is the prevention and timely treatment of major diseases. Such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and others. Observance of certain principles of behavior will also reduce the risk of cardiac muscle dystrophy (rejection of bad habits, adequate nutrition, age-appropriate exercise, etc.).