Need Some Advice

Hi Everyone,

I am brand new to this group and I have a cardiac question.  I have a friend who is in this group and she thought I could get some valuable feedback from some of the people here.

Does anyone here know anything about Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction?  I had a doctor tell me it's nothing to worry about and that it is a normal part of the changes a person sees in their heart as they age (I am 57).  

I saw a cardiologist because I was having frequent PVC's and grade 1 diastolic dysfunction was listed on the echo report.  My doctor told me my heart is healthy and I have nothing to worry about at all. I have PVC's periodically and they seem to be directly related to stress, but sometimes they can be so bad it really makes me nervous. They do seem to come and go though. I eat a plant based, low sodium diet.  I am not overweight at all and I do take a small dose of lisinopril for mild hypertension which is very well controlled. My blood pressure is so well controlled that the cardiologist told me I could go off of it.

I am somewhat confused because my doctor told me I have nothing to worry about, but, I read online that diastolic dysfunction grade 1 is the very first stage of heart failure.  I am completely asymptomatic with the exception of periodic bouts with PVC's that come and go, but last for days when they come.(I am not even sure if the PVC's and the diastolic dysfunction are reated) I walk approximately 12 miles each week as well and while I don't work out in a gym, I am definately not sedentary.

I am hoping for some feedback from someone who knows something about diastolic dysfunction grade 1.  I do not want it to get worse.  I actually put a call in to my doctor this evening and he called me back stating that I have nothing to worry about, that my heart is healthy, and to keep doing all I am doing. He said I should just monitor my blood pressure and keep eating a heart healthy diet.

Any feedback on personal experiences or knowledge on this subject will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

4 Comments

Many kinds of "heart failure"

by BillH - 2017-05-07 16:25:23

There are two basic types of heart failure. On is where the heart gets weaker and can't squeeze as much. With that kind the ejection fraction is reduced. It is called systolic dysfunction.

The 2nd type is where the heart gets stiff doesn't exand fast enough to such as much blood into the ventrical. This is diastolic dysfunction. and the ejection fraction does not decrease.

I am being monitor for mitral valve reguritation.

4 years ago my echo indicated stage 1 diastolic dysfunction. And my doctor said the same thing. That is just a general indication of advanced age.

3 years ago they could not get a good reading on the diastolic.

2 years ago it was stage 2 diastolic, which is more concerning.

But last year the diastolic was normal, but stolic function was milding reduced.

But with all of those readings my exerecise ability has not changed.

Basically stage 1 says that things are not ideal, but it does not really predict an increasing problem in the future.

 

 

 

That was great info Bill gave...

by Jax - 2017-05-07 16:33:35

I learn so much here. 

Thanks Bill. 

To Bill who originally responded or anyone who knows about diastolic dysfunction.

by Gigi20017 - 2017-05-07 21:57:03

Bill, so just because a person is diagnosed as "grade 1" doesn't necessarily mean it will progress?  Am I following you correctly in that your diastolic dysfunction is no longer there?

Thank you for your reply!

 

Progression

by BillH - 2017-05-07 23:05:33

I am no expert. but from my reading it does not always progress. It is more like a stage of life, like hair turning gray. Or for me male pattern baldness.

 

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