At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What is a Stiff Heart?
A stiff heart, also called diastolic dysfunction or cardiac amyloidosis, is a condition in which the muscle tissue of the heart becomes stiff, as its name suggests. It is most frequently caused by high blood pressure and impairs the heart's ability to fill completely with blood and consequently, its ability to supply the rest of the body with blood. It can result in fluid buildup in the lungs and cause the heart to overwork. If left untreated with medications, it can result in heart failure and death.
The stiffness of the heart impairs its ability to beat properly. When a stiff heart beats, it cannot fill itself completely with blood. The amount of blood that the heart pumps into the rest of the body is reduced if it doesn't fill completely. The amount of the reduction of blood to the rest of the body is directly related to the amount of blood missing in the heart.
The stiff heart will try to make up for the decreased blood flow by working harder. This will usually do a lot more harm than good. The heart is already not functioning properly and the increased heartbeats will supply only a marginally larger amount of blood. Unfortunately, it will also overwork the heart, which will exacerbate the dysfunction.
A stiff heart can sometimes cause blood to become backed up in the lungs. Normal function of the heart involves old, deoxygenated blood to pump into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs for oxygenation and filtering. The blood is then supplied back to the left atrium and ventricle, then out through the aorta to the rest of the body. When the heart isn't pumping properly, there may not be enough pressure to move the blood out of the lungs and back into the heart.
The blood normally remains within blood vessels, but the reduced force of the pumping heart can cause the blood to leak into the lung air sacs. This condition is called pulmonary edema and is more commonly known as fluid in the lungs. This same leaking can occur in the legs, ankles, or feet, as this region of the body requires the most force to continue proper blood flow.
A stiff heart can usually be treated with prescription medication. Beta blockers may be prescribed and have been known to actually decrease the stiffness in the muscle tissue in the heart. Other medications may be used to relax the heart in order to decrease the amount of work it has to do. Diuretics can be used to drain the body of excess fluids building up in the legs or lungs. If the stiffness was caused by high blood pressure, a treatment program will be developed separately for that.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![A stiff heart may be treated with prescription medications.]()
By: danilkorolevA stiff heart may be treated with prescription medications. -
![High blood pressure may cause a stiff heart.]()
By: michaeljungHigh blood pressure may cause a stiff heart. -
![When a stiff heart beats, it can not fill itself with a sufficient amount of blood.]()
By: adimasWhen a stiff heart beats, it can not fill itself with a sufficient amount of blood. -
![The reduced force of a stiff heart may cause fluid in the lungs.]()
By: decade3dThe reduced force of a stiff heart may cause fluid in the lungs. -
![An irregular carotid pulse can predate heart failure by weeks or months.]()
By: joshyaAn irregular carotid pulse can predate heart failure by weeks or months.
Discussion Comments
I have had severe edema in my legs for two years. All tests at U of M Hospital have found no cause, but last week an EKG showed significant heart stiffness. Could this be the cause of the edema? It has gotten progressively worse to the point that I can't walk without pain. Is this dangerous? Thank you.
@Soulfox -- I'm not sure that it is terribly different, but the problem is that amyloidosis can turn very deadly if it is misdiagnosed as routine heart trouble. I'm no expert, but I do know that amyloidosis tends to reveal itself as heart trouble in its early stages -- misdiagnosing as something other than "stiff heart" and treating it by more conventional means could allow amyloidosis to spread and create other organs from functioning properly. When amyloidosis is spread through the body, that is when it must be treated with aggressive regimens such as chemotherapy.
The problem with amyloidosis, in general, is that it is extremely rare and hard to detect by more conventional means. If a doctor sees heart trouble, the chances the diagnose is correct will be correct the vast majority of the time. It seems the medical profession is still learning about amyloidosis and how to treat it effectively.
If the condition does advance to the stage where chemotherapy, a lot of the problem is that amyloidosis (whether stiff heart or otherwise) tends to show up in the elderly. Chemotherapy is tough on the body, and an elderly patient might not be strong enough to hold up under it for long. That is why it is critical to catch the condition early and take steps to treat it.
How is a stiff heart -- cardiac amyloidosis -- different than "full blown" amyloidosis? Amyloidosis is, in general, a condition that is quite deadly and can mask itself as more "routine" heart trouble in the early stages. Amyloidosis is generally treated with chemotherapy and other aggressive means as it is tough to get rid of, so how is a stiff heart different?
Post your comments