Structure and function of the heart
The main role of the heart in pumping blood to all parts of the body, and contains the blood oxygen and nutrients needed by the cells of the body and its members to perform their functions, without these supplies will not be able to do these functions, and the heart is a strong muscle pump, Blood circulation.
The heart is composed of a group of muscle cells. What distinguishes these cells is that they function continuously and the human life span is non-stop. The heart is divided into four chambers separated by a barrier consisting of connective tissue: two on the right side and two on the left side. , And are composed of thin flexible muscle walls, while the lower chambers are called the lining, the two largest, and are composed of strong muscle walls and thick. The right atrium receives blood from all parts of the body via the vena cava, then pumps the blood to the right ventricle, which in turn pumps blood to the lung to be oxygenated. The oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, which pumps it to the left ventricle until blood is pumped to the rest of the body .
Weakness of the heart muscle
Muscular dystrophy or cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle which becomes more severe, thicker, or thicker. In some rare cases, the heart tissue may be replaced by a scar tissue, the heart muscle becomes weak and its ability to Blood flow and maintaining regular heart rate, all of which may lead to heart disease or irregular heartbeat. Heart failure may cause fluid retention in the lungs, feet, legs or abdomen, and may cause heart muscle weakness. .
Types of myocardial infarction and its causes
Heart disease is divided into all of the following:
- Hypertensive myocardial infarction: Metabolic cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle is enlarged and thickened. This usually occurs in the ventricles and the heart barrier, which separates the right and left sides of the heart. Inflammation may cause constriction or blockage of the ventricles, making blood pumping from the heart more difficult. Genetically modified organisms are caused by a mutation or alteration of the genes responsible for myocardial proteins. This type can develop due to diseases associated with aging, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Expanded myocardial infarction: This type occurs when the bacterium expands and weakens, as they become unable to pump blood efficiently, and may cause this type of heart failure, irregular heart pumps, usually this type of genetically, and in some cases that cause this type of short-term drinking alcohol , Heavy metal poisoning, complications of the last month of pregnancy, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, and some viral infections.
- Restricted myocardial infarction: This type occurs when the stomachs become more severe and hard, which makes them unable to discharge and fullness of blood naturally, and the causes of this type are: amyloid disease (a disease that causes the deposition of protein in the heart, leading to stiffness and inability to work properly), and deposition of dyes (Iron deposition within the human body), sarcoid disease (a disease that causes several infections in different organs of the body), diseases of connective tissue, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
- Irregular myocardial infarction: This type is rarely genetically, and occurs when the muscle tissue in the right ventricle is replaced by a fibrous fibrous tissue, which may lead to arrhythmias. This type usually affects young teens.
Symptoms of myocardial infarction
Some patients may not experience any symptoms throughout the period of the disease. In contrast, these symptoms may appear gradually in some patients. They may appear after prolonged periods of illness due to a minor accident, such as muscle exertion or surgery. , Or exposure to microbial infection. As for the symptoms themselves are all of the following:
- Shortness of breath when performing any physical exertion.
- The inability to sleep on the back at night, because this may cause severe narrowness of breath.
- Feel tired and tired.
- Swelling of the feet, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Acute abdominal pain.
- Exposure to fainting during physical activity.
- Arrhythmia.
- Chest pain, especially after exercising or eating a heavy meal.
- Cardiac compression (abnormal heart sounds occur during heart palpitations).
Treatment of weakness of the heart muscle
Patients with no symptoms may not need treatment. The type of enlarged myocardial infarction may suddenly occur and disappear alone. In contrast, the other part of the patients may need treatment. This treatment depends on the type of myopathy, the symptoms and complications of the disease, age, and health status. The success of the treatment is due to the early diagnosis of the disease, and it is recommended to follow up periodically the functions of the heart of those over the age of fifty, especially those suffering from high blood pressure. The main objectives of the treatment of myocardial infarction include:
- Control the general symptoms of the disease as much as possible so that the patient can live normally.
- Treatment of pathogenic conditions.
- Reduce the complications of the disease and the risk of sudden heart attack.
- Stop progression and exacerbation of the disease.
The treatment of weakness of the heart muscle includes the following:
- Change the patient’s lifestyle: The doctor may suggest changing the patient’s lifestyle to control the cause of the disease. This includes:
- Eating healthy heart, you should stay away from foods and beverages that lead to high blood pressure, and by avoiding the salt of the food radically, and reduce the tea and coffee.
- Maintain weight and follow it.
- Minimize stress and stress.
- Increase physical activity within the limit.
- Quit Smoking.
- Medications: Many medications are used to treat myocardial infarction, and the doctor may prescribe these drugs to:
- Maintaining electrolyte balance within the body: Electrolytic minerals such as chlorine, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and phosphate maintain the level of fluid and acid balance in the body. They also help the nervous and muscular tissues to function properly. A sign of dehydration (lack of fluid in the body), heart failure, or high blood pressure. Anti-aldosterone is an example of medicines that maintain electrolyte balance within the body.
- Maintain heart rhythm: Antidepressants are used to maintain normal heart systems.
- Blood pressure reduction: Examples of antihypertensive drugs include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin receptor antagonists, beta receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers.
- Prevention of blood clots: Anticoagulants are a drug used to prevent the formation of blood clots.
- Treatment of inflammation: Corticosteroids are used to relieve inflammation.
- Dispose of excessive sodium in the body: Use diuretics to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood.
- Slow heart rate: Beta receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers are used for this purpose. Medicines prescribed by your doctor should be taken regularly and the prescribed dosage should not be changed or neglected unless you tell your doctor.
- surgeries: The removal of part of the enlarged muscle wall in the case of hypertrophic heart disease (Septal Myectomy): This surgery is often performed in younger patients, and when the patient’s body does not respond to the drugs mentioned above. This surgery improves the flow of blood in the heart.
- Cultivate cardiac devices that may improve heart function and reduce symptoms: These include the following:
- CRT: This device coordinates between the right and left ventricles of the ventricle.
- ICD: This device treats irregular heartbeat that may lead to sudden heart attacks.
- LVAD: This device helps to pump blood from the heart to the body.
- Pacemaker: This small device is placed under the skin of the chest or abdomen and helps to control irregular heartbeat.