Key Takeaways:
- Chronic diastolic heart failure happens when the heart becomes stiff and can’t relax properly between beats.
- It often develops slowly, and early signs like breathlessness or leg swelling are easy to overlook.
- High blood pressure, diabetes, and aging are among the most common causes of this condition.
- Regular heart check-ups and imaging tests such as echocardiograms can help detect problems early.
- Managing blood pressure, eating a low-sodium diet, and staying active are key to living well with this condition.
- Diastolic dysfunction is an early stage of the disease and can progress to full heart failure if left untreated.
Unlike a sudden cardiac event, this condition develops slowly and can go unnoticed for years. You may feel shortness of breath while climbing stairs or notice swelling in your legs, but brush it off as tiredness or age. However, in reality, these may be signs that your heart is struggling to relax and fill properly, leading to potential cardiac dysfunction.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what chronic diastolic heart failure really means, what causes it, and how it can be managed. Furthermore, we’ll also learn about the ongoing clinical research studies that are helping doctors better understand and treat this condition.
What Exactly Is Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure?
Chronic diastolic heart failure, often called diastolic heart failure, happens when your heart’s left ventricle becomes stiff and cannot relax normally between beats. While the heart still pumps blood out effectively, it doesn’t fill well during the relaxation phase. This makes the blood back up into the lungs and veins, leading to fatigue, breathlessness, and swelling.
Unlike other types of heart failure that result from weakened heart muscles, chronic diastolic congestive heart failure occurs due to stiffness of heart muscles. This stiffness limits how much blood the left ventricle can hold, increasing pressure inside the heart.
Over time, this constant strain puts stress on your cardiovascular system, especially if you already have heart disease from high blood pressure. Therefore, early recognition and management play a crucial role in preventing complications.
Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Many people mistake chronic diastolic heart failure symptoms for normal aging or fatigue. However, ignoring them can make the condition worse. Some of the most common warning signs include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or while lying flat
- Constant tiredness or weakness
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, or abdomen (edema)
- Sudden weight gain from fluid buildup
- Difficulty sleeping due to breathing problems
It’s important to note that these symptoms may appear mild at first. But as the disease progresses, daily tasks may start to feel more difficult.
What Causes Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure?
There isn’t a single cause for chronic diastolic heart failure. Instead, it usually results from long-term health issues that damage or stiffen the heart muscle. However, one of the most common causes is long-term hypertension. When blood pressure remains high for years, it forces your heart to work harder to pump blood, eventually thickening the heart’s walls and reducing flexibility.
Other factors that may lead to this condition include:
- Diabetes and obesity, which increase inflammation and pressure in the heart
- Coronary artery disease, where narrowed arteries reduce oxygen to the heart muscle
- Aging, since heart tissue naturally loses elasticity over time
- Sleep apnea, which disrupts oxygen levels and stresses the heart
In addition, chronic kidney disease can also contribute to fluid overload and cause heart problems.
However, not everyone with these risk factors will develop diastolic heart failure. That’s why early screening and heart imaging tests such as echocardiograms are vital. Detecting structural changes in the heart early can make treatment much more effective.
How Is It Different from Diastolic Dysfunction?
You may have heard the term “diastolic dysfunction,” and wondered how it differs from chronic diastolic heart failure. The two are related, but not the same.
Diastolic dysfunction simply means your heart’s relaxation ability is impaired, but symptoms may not yet appear. On the other hand, chronic diastolic heart failure occurs when dysfunction progresses to the point of causing noticeable symptoms, such as fatigue and breathlessness.
You can think of diastolic dysfunction as an early warning sign. It means your heart is beginning to have trouble filling with blood the way it should. Over time, if left untreated, it can slowly turn into diastolic heart failure. That’s why getting medical help early is so important because it can prevent the problem from getting worse and help keep your heart healthy for years to come.
Who Is at Risk of Developing This Condition?
Certain groups of people are more likely to develop chronic diastolic congestive heart failure. These include older adults, women, and individuals with long-standing hypertension.
Other risk factors include:
- Obesity or a sedentary lifestyle
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea or chronic lung disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Previous heart attack
Moreover, lifestyle habits such as smoking, high salt intake, and unmanaged stress can make the condition worse. Genetics can also play a role, meaning a family history of heart failure may increase your risk.
Lipoprotein(a) & ASCVD Clinical Trials
Explore Advanced Treatment Options
Clinical trials are investigating new therapies that may help reduce elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels and lower the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosing chronic diastolic heart failure usually involves several tests to assess how well your heart fills and pumps blood. Doctors often use echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (ECG), blood tests, and sometimes cardiac MRI scans.
Once diagnosed, treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and controlling underlying causes. While there’s currently no cure, the condition can be managed effectively through:
Lifestyle adjustments:
- Controlling blood pressure and diabetes
- Eating a heart-healthy diet low in sodium
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly, with guidance from your doctor
Medications:
- Diuretics to reduce fluid buildup
- Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors to manage blood pressure
- Aldosterone antagonists to reduce heart stiffness
Additionally, ongoing cardiology clinical trials are exploring better medications that specifically target the stiffness of the heart muscle and focus on improving heart function.
The Role of Research in Advancing Heart Care
Research plays a vital role in how we understand and treat heart diseases today. Through continuous studies and long-term observation, scientists and doctors discover how the heart responds to stress, medication, and lifestyle changes, allowing patients to live longer and healthier lives.
However, when it comes to participating in research studies, many people often ask two important questions:
Clinical trials work by testing new drugs or treatment approaches in real patients under close supervision. Moreover, they follow strict safety rules and are carefully reviewed by medical boards. So, they are safe and in fact remain one of the most trusted ways to bring better heart treatments to people worldwide.
Living With Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure
Living with chronic diastolic heart failure doesn’t mean you can’t lead a fulfilling life. With the right care plan, many people continue their normal routines.
Following are some simple but powerful habits that can make a difference:
- Monitor your blood pressure and weight regularly
- Follow a balanced, low-sodium diet
- Stay physically active but avoid overexertion
- Take medications exactly as prescribed
- Manage stress and get enough rest
Moreover, joining clinical trials for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) can help you learn more about the condition and reduce the burden on your heart.
Lipoprotein(a) & ASCVD Clinical Trials
Explore Advanced Treatment Options
Clinical trials are investigating new therapies that may help reduce elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels and lower the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Final Thoughts
Chronic diastolic heart failure is a complex yet manageable condition. It happens when the heart’s stiffness prevents it from relaxing and filling properly, leading to cardiac dysfunction and fluid buildup. While it cannot always be reversed, careful management, early diagnosis, and ongoing research can help many people live healthier and longer lives.
At Lucida Clinical, we’re committed to advancing heart care through innovation. Our clinical trials in Massachusetts explore new therapies for diastolic heart failure and related diseases, helping improve care and quality of life for those living with heart disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you live with diastolic dysfunction?
Many people live for years with proper treatment and healthy habits. In fact, early diagnosis and good control of blood pressure can make a big difference in how well you live over time.
What are the best exercises for heart failure?
Generally, light activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling work best. However, before starting any exercise routine, consult your doctor to make sure it’s safe for your heart.
How serious is chronic diastolic heart failure?
While it is a serious condition, the good news is that it is manageable. With the right medications, healthy lifestyle choices, and regular check-ups, most people continue to live active and stable lives.
What are the four stages of diastolic heart failure?
Diastolic heart failure develops gradually over four stages:
1st Stage: You may have risk factors, but no symptoms yet.
2nd Stage: The heart begins to show changes, though you still feel fine.
3rd Stage: Symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue start to appear.
4th Stage: Symptoms become more advanced and may occur even while resting.
