A blood pressure measurement revealed "heart cancer"! Medical warning: Normal "ejection fraction" may still lead to heart failure
After checking my blood pressure, I discovered that I have “heart cancer”? Is it possible to have heart failure despite a normal “ejection fraction”?
Many people have never had their blood pressure measured in their lives. After taking a measurement, they discovered that the blood pressure value was not only excessive, but they even suffered from heart failure, which is called “cardiac cancer.” Why does this happen? Dr. Wu Yanwen, director of the Cardiovascular Medicine Center of Yatong Memorial Hospital, explained that there are two main reasons: first, this group does not pay special attention to health problems in life; second, specific cases of heart failure are relatively difficult to detect, especially for “ejection fraction” “This is especially true for people with normal values.
Dr. Wu Yanwen pointed out that the heart is like a motor that is constantly running. If the motor power is insufficient (the ejection fraction decreases), it may cause heart failure. This condition is usually related to myocardial damage, myocardial infarction and other pathologies. However, if the heart muscle becomes stiff, it is like a motor that is rusty; although it can still operate, it cannot operate as efficiently as a normal motor. That is, the ejection fraction may appear to be normal, but in fact it is still a high-risk case.
Dr. Wu Yanwen explained that among cases with stiff myocardium and normal ejection fraction index, the proportion of men and women is relatively close; and this group is more likely to have a history of chronic diseases, or be overweight, have high blood pressure, poor blood sugar control and other problems. In addition, the hearts of cancer patients may also be damaged after treatment, so traditional cardiac ultrasound examinations may not be accurate in this group.
Through the calculation of risk factors, clinical warning can still be given for this type of heart failure. For example, patients with high blood pressure can better control their blood pressure by developing the habit of measuring their blood pressure regularly without even needing to take medication; similarly, regularly measuring their weight can help maintain their body shape and thus reduce risks. If a patient develops symptoms related to heart failure, such as fatigue, breathlessness, and edema of the lower limbs, the doctor will first conduct a series of assessments, including physical examinations such as blood pressure, heartbeat, and auscultation, as well as blood tests, X-rays, and electrocardiograms.
Is there any chance of a cure for heart failure? What are the “four pillars” of heart failure drugs?
Dr. Wu Yanwen explained that the treatment of heart failure has made great progress; rather than giving up completely and having a pessimistic attitude towards it, it is more important to find the cause and carry out targeted treatment. “For example, if it’s heart failure related to valvular disease, if it can be repaired immediately, the chance of recovery is very high. Likewise, if the blood vessel function is degraded but can still be opened and treated aggressively before cardiac arrest, Then the chance of heart failure reversal is also very high.”
Dr. Wu Yanwen also emphasized that heart failure drugs are continuing to develop, including four major categories of drugs: “ACEi/ARB/ARNI drugs”, “SGLT2i drugs”, “MRA drugs”, and “Beta sympathetic receptor blockers” ( Beta-blockers) are known as the “four pillars” of the best treatment for heart failure. If the right drug can be selected for treatment at the right time, the patient’s chance of reversing the condition will be greatly increased.
“Although some patients’ cardiac systolic function does not change significantly after taking the medicine, their quality of life may be significantly improved due to treatment. Therefore, don’t be frustrated when you see a poor ejection score!” Dr. Wu Yanwen pointed out that if the patient can Actively cooperating with the doctor’s prescribed treatment will be like a small motor driving a big car. The heart can operate under certain conditions and minimize the restrictions on life.
However, Dr. Wu Yanwen reminded that the use of each drug may be affected by the patient’s own physical condition and the possible side effects of the drug, and the treatment process cannot be generalized. In addition, the treatment of heart failure requires patients to take a certain dose to achieve the best results. “This is why we always tell patients that even if the heart failure condition improves, you still need to take the medicine to the dose prescribed by the doctor. It is very dangerous to reduce or even stop the medicine without authorization!”
700,000 people in Taiwan suffer from heart failure! Early medical treatment can help restore quality of life
Dr. Wu Yanwen reminded that there may be 700,000 people in Taiwan currently suffering from heart failure. Preventing heart failure should be a “lifelong ambition” for everyone. At a young age, one should have the concept of seeking good luck and avoiding bad luck. Once one realizes that one’s health is Abnormalities should be treated as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening symptoms.
For generally healthy people, maintaining healthy living habits, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help prevent cardiovascular disease; while high-risk groups, such as patients with high blood pressure, smokers, or those with family history, should reduce their bad habits Quit and actively change your lifestyle. Men should moderate their social activities and relieve stress appropriately; women should also pay attention to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases due to the loss of hormonal protection after menopause.
In general, Dr. Wu Yanwen recommends that once you feel abnormal in your body, you should seek cardiology treatment as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening risks. If you are diagnosed with heart failure, there is no need to panic. There are many new technologies that can help patients. It is recommended that patients thoroughly discuss diagnosis and treatment directions and strategies with their doctors to find out the root problem, which will help maintain basic quality of life.
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