4) DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE
e) Diabetes and "Heart Failure"
"Heart failure" is a common complication of diabetes. The term congestive heart failure is often used to describe all patients with heart failure. Actually, congestion (the build-up of fluid in the lungs or lower limbs) is just one feature of the condition and does not occur in everyone with heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition characterized by the heart's diminished ability to pump blood effectively. For example, blockage of the small arteries of the heart by plaque and small blood clots may cause the development of small areas of damage in the heart ("minor" heart attacks, if there is such a thing) over the years. These small heart attacks cause muscle tissue to be replaced by scar tissue. This scar tissue in combination with high blood pressure may result in the left pumping chamber of the heart (left ventricle) to overwork and weaken. The heart tries to compensate for the failure in two ways: 1, by increasing the number of contractions - this helps pump more blood out of the heart and increases circulation. 2, by enlarging and increasing the thickness of the heart muscle fibers - this helps the heart to increase its pumping strength by contracting more forcefully.
The heart can compensate with these mechanisms for a period of time; however, eventually these compensatory mechanisms actually contribute to the progression of the disease by causing the walls of the heart to enlarge too much. The enlargement of the heart walls means less blood can flow through the chambers. There are two major categories of heart failure: 1, in systolic heart failure, the ability of the heart to contract decreases and the heart cannot pump enough blood into the circulation. Blood then backs up and fluid may leak into the lungs. This may cause shortness of breath and a persistent cough. 2, diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart cannot fill properly with blood because it has lost the ability to relax sufficiently between contractions. Fluid may then accumulate in the feet, ankles, legs, and occasionally, the abdomen. Extreme fatigue is a common symptom associated with both types of heart failure.
If a person with diabetes has shortness of breath, bad fatigue, and/or swelling of the lower extremities, they should have a complete heart checkup.
Current Chapter: 4) DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE
a) Introduction
b) Small Blood Vessel versus Large Blood Vessel Disease
c) Large Blood Vessel Mechanisms
d) Blood Lipid Chemistry
e) Diabetes and "Heart Failure"
f) Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
g) Blood Proteins, Diabetes and Heart Disease
h) Genetic Risk Factors for Diabetes and Heart Disease
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