Myocardial changes of diffuse character

The main part of the heart muscle, its middle, distinguished by a special histological structure, is called the myocardium. The thickness of its walls consists of tightly connected cardiomyocytes - contractile cells of the heart muscle tissue, resistant to fatigue. The myocardium works continuously as long as the body is alive, automatically making rhythmic movements, contracting and relaxing under the influence of impulses, saturating the blood with oxygen and pumping it through the vessels to all organs and tissues. Diffuse changes in the myocardium are usually detected during diagnostic procedures (electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the heart) and are used as a marker requiring additional diagnostics. This is the conclusion of a diagnostician about the presence of reduced electrical activity in multiple areas of the heart muscle tissue, fairly evenly distributed in its structure, indicating changes occurring there at the cellular level. Many factors can provoke such a restructuring, often several of them can be combined in one patient.

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Causes diffuse myocardial changes

The alimentary moment is almost always present both independently and in a complex of reasons causing the transformation of the cellular structure of the myocardium. Unbalanced and irregular nutrition, the predominance of fats and carbohydrates in food, and vitamin deficiency cause dystrophic changes in the basic structure of the heart muscle.

Directly cardiac pathologies causing diffuse changes in the myocardium are its inflammation of infectious, allergic and mixed genesis ( myocarditis ) and proliferation of scar tissue cells replacing cardiomyocytes ( myocardiosclerosis ), mainly developing against the background of ischemic heart disease. In such cases, the patient is usually bothered by other symptoms characteristic of cardiovascular pathologies.

Myocarditis is the main symptom of rheumatism and is considered separately from inflammations of the heart muscle of non-rheumatic origin - complications of chronic infections ( tonsillitis, caries ), acute infectious diseases (tonsillitis, flu, childhood infectious diseases), autoimmune pathologies ( systemic scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis ). Against this background, diffuse myocardial sclerosis can develop, characterized by multiple and relatively evenly distributed fragments of scar tissue in the myocardium.

Chronic diseases of various vital organs also lead to a deficiency of essential substances in the body and the development of cardiodystrophy. In such conditions, cardiomyocytes are damaged faster and are renewed more slowly, over time this contributes to a decrease in cardiac conduction and a disturbance in the heart rhythm, which becomes noticeable on the cardiogram. Risk factors for the development of diffuse changes are renal and hepatic insufficiency, leading to excessive excretion of vitamins, microelements, proteins in the urine or intoxication due to a disturbance in their metabolic processes; diabetes mellitus, which prevents the normal absorption of glucose; enterocolitis, which disrupts the absorption of essential substances in the intestine; atherosclerosis and vasoconstriction, anemia and other conditions that cause constant hypoxia. Hormonal disorders due to diabetes mellitus, dysfunction of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland affect the course of biochemical processes in the body, which negatively affects the structure of the myocardium.

A similar result may manifest itself as a result of long-term use of hormonal, cardiotonic drugs, some other medications (streptomycin, aminazine), alcoholic beverages and drugs.

Risk factors for the development of dystrophic changes in myocardial muscle tissue include the need to constantly work under increased load conditions in the absence of periods of relaxation (stress, physical and/or mental overload); hypertension; hyperthyroidism; excess weight; birth defects; dehydration; occupational hazards – constant contact with toxic substances, stressors, overheating.

With minor expression of diffuse changes in the myocardium and the absence of symptoms of cardiac pathology, such a diagnostic conclusion can be interpreted as an age-related variant of the norm.

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Pathogenesis

The essence of the process leading to diffuse changes in the myocardium consists in the disruption of intracellular exchange mechanisms. The transportation of potassium and sodium ions through the cell membranes of cardiomyocytes is upset, which causes a mismatch in the phases of their depolarization and repolarization, i.e. the cyclic contraction and relaxation of the striated muscles of the heart is disrupted. The arrhythmic process of contraction and relaxation of muscle tissue areas, fairly evenly distributed throughout its volume, causes a violation of the electrolyte balance in the blood, which leads to further imbalance and death of cardiomyocytes. If the pathogenetic links are temporary factors (taking medications, physical overexertion, poor nutrition, infection, etc.), then when they cease to act, cellular metabolism is normalized and the amplitudes of electrical impulses in all areas become uniform. With prolonged exposure to a pathogenetic factor, damage to cardiomyocytes becomes irreversible.

Diffuse (multiple and localized in different places) changes in the cellular structure of the myocardium develop over many years, this is a long process. Under the influence of one, and more often several of the above factors, the cells of the striated muscles of the myocardium are damaged in different places, not all are restored, many die, they are replaced by connective tissue cells. Connective tissue areas are not working. At the very beginning of the process of cellular changes, it is considered reversible, later - it can be stopped and intact areas with working cardiomyocytes can be saved. In the absence of treatment, the working areas are reduced, and the sclerotically changed ones grow, which causes a decrease in the contractility of the heart, the inability to pump the required volumes of blood. This leads to a disruption of nutrition and hypoxia of all organs due to circulatory disorders and the development of other pathological processes.

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and degenerative changes in the myocardium are the main reasons for the diagnostic conclusion about its destruction. The statistics of morbidity put patients with rheumatic myocarditis in a separate group, which makes up about 9-10% of all cases of heart diseases. Registered cases of non-rheumatic myocarditis occur in about 1% of patients of therapists, however, this figure is considered underestimated, since according to autopsy data, myocarditis not diagnosed during life was found in 3% of deceased, subjected to autopsy. The largest group of patients with myocarditis (32%) are patients aged 41 to 50 years.

Sclerotic changes in the heart muscle in people who are responsible for their health usually appear after 50 years. According to statistical calculations, there are twice as many male patients with cardiosclerosis as female patients.

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Symptoms diffuse myocardial changes

Often, a patient receives a diagnostic conclusion about changes in the structure of the heart muscle by chance after a preventive medical examination, since at the very beginning, when the process is still reversible, it does not declare itself with pronounced symptoms. The first signs that are worth paying attention to are inexplicably rapid and regular fatigue, slight shortness of breath and heart rhythm disturbances, discomfort and sometimes very minor painful sensations behind the breastbone or aching pain, pale skin. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied by emotional instability - tearfulness, irritability.

Diffuse changes in the myocardium of the left ventricle, which transports oxygen-rich blood to all body systems, can be a symptom of serious diseases, especially in older people suffering from high blood pressure, in particular, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The left ventricle has a thicker layer of striated muscles, since the load on it is more intense than on the right ventricle, which sends blood through the pulmonary circulation for oxygenation to the lungs. In the right, the thickness of this muscle layer is 2-2.5 times thinner. If diffuse changes are recorded in the left ventricle, then it is possible to assume the presence of myocarditis in younger patients. The main symptoms of the inflammatory process in the myocardium are pain in the heart, arrhythmia, pallor, weakness, however, it can also be asymptomatic. Often, the development of inflammation is preceded by infectious diseases, intoxications, including drug and serum intoxications, allergies.

After the age of 50, sclerotic changes in the muscular layer of the left ventricle are more likely, arising as a result of dystrophic changes in cells under the influence of hypoxia or metabolic disorders that appear as a result of chronic diseases in the patient. Myocardial sclerosis is manifested by shortness of breath and rapid fatigue, swelling of the extremities and peritoneum, dry cardiac cough at night, and rapid pulse.

General weakness with diffuse changes in the myocardium may indicate the development of ischemic heart disease, which is asymptomatic for a long time, and patients attribute constant fatigue and slight discomfort in the heart area to overwork, weather dependence, stressful situations and other unfavorable factors. Shortness of breath initially bothers occasionally after significant physical exertion, then it begins to bother the patient during rest. Symptoms increase gradually and imperceptibly for the patient, over a long period of time. Later, pain in the heart becomes almost constant, swelling of the limbs may join them, and fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath become constant companions.

Diffuse changes in the myocardium in a child, including the left ventricle, due to the fact that the metabolic processes of the child's body are still in the formation stage, may well be a variant of the age norm, especially minor ones. For children and adolescents leading a sedentary lifestyle, changes in the structure of the muscle tissue of the heart may occur when increased loads appear for their usual lifestyle. Also, this deviation from the norm may indicate the presence of vegetative-vascular dystonia in the child.

Neither children nor adults of any age group should ignore such a diagnostic conclusion. It should be a reason for a visit to a cardiologist, since early detected pathologies are more amenable to therapy and at the initial stage can be corrected by adjusting lifestyle and nutrition. Specialists consider minor damage to heart muscle cells reversible.

Moderate diffuse myocardial changes are usually not accompanied by noticeable manifestations of cardiac symptoms. At this stage, areas with reduced cardiac conductivity are usually detected on the electrocardiogram. They are multiple and are located in all examined areas of the heart muscle. Moderate diffuse myocardial changes can occur as a consequence of temporary pathogenetic factors (dehydration, oxygen starvation, poor nutrition, intoxication), as well as evidence of a developing disease, not necessarily cardiac, for example, hyperthyroidism, adrenal neoplasm, other metabolic or hormonal disorders. To find out this, additional diagnostic measures are needed.

Expressed diffuse changes in the myocardium almost always indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body. Patients may complain of shortness of breath, weakness and chest pain when ischemic areas appear in muscle tissue; swelling of the extremities with myocardial sclerosis; tremor, increased nervousness, weight loss with excess thyroid hormones; dizziness, shortness of breath and fatigue with anemia. In any case, the patient should be carefully examined and consulted by the appropriate specialists.

The diagnostic conclusion about the disturbances of the structure of the heart muscle can be formulated in different ways. What do they mean? What types of diffuse changes are there?

A specialist doing an electrocardiogram sees changes in the electrical activity of some areas of the myocardium. It is sometimes significantly changed, although normally all areas should be uniform. If multiple foci of changes are located evenly throughout the myocardium, then this lesion, as mentioned above, is diffuse, not focal, in which there is one, maximum - two foci of altered conductivity. In these areas, the cardiomyocytes have already undergone changes to one degree or another, they are exhausted and cannot provide normal contractility, this is what the diagnostic conclusion says - diffuse-dystrophic changes in the myocardium. Damage of this nature is already considered irreversible.

The initial stages of cardiomyocyte exhaustion are described as diffuse non-specific myocardial changes. This means that the electrical activity of the heart muscle reflected on the cardiogram is not uniform, nothing more. It is the diffuse changes that do not reflect the specificity of the disease that caused them, while focal changes are specific, for example, to a previous myocardial infarction and indicate its localization. In its focus, a scar of connective tissue is formed, the cells of which do not have contractile ability, and the damaged area itself becomes electrically inert. Diffuse changes can indicate a variety of different pathologies and require additional studies to establish a diagnosis. Such a conclusion rather speaks of reversible moderately expressed transformations of cardiomyocytes.

They can also be formulated as diffuse metabolic changes in the myocardium. This formulation indicates that the process of cellular metabolism is disrupted. This condition can be caused by an alimentary factor, excess weight, high loads. It can be a consequence of severe acute pathologies, as well as chronic ones, such as diabetes. If the factor that caused it ceases to act, the state of cardiomyocytes returns to normal and the electrical activity of the areas on the cardiogram levels out. However, if the cause is not established, then the disturbances in cellular metabolism will lead to stable dystrophic changes, and subsequently to the development of cardiosclerosis. In this case, the diagnostic conclusion may look like diffuse fibrous-sclerotic changes in the myocardium. This indicates that the sclerosis process is developing, irreversible changes have occurred and areas of muscle tissue are replaced by fibrous tissue. On the cardiogram in these places, the amplitude of impulses is not simply reduced, but there are flat areas of their complete absence. This is how the most pronounced damage to muscle tissue manifests itself, which already indicates the presence of cardiosclerosis.

Diffuse repolarization changes in the myocardium mean a decrease in electrical conductivity in multiple, evenly spaced areas of the heart muscle. In older patients, children and adolescents, this may be a normal variant. At the same time, repolarization processes may be disrupted after fasting, high loads, stress, infectious diseases. With this formulation, heart disease and other organs cannot be excluded. In fact, this is a synonym for diffuse nonspecific or metabolic changes and only means that it is necessary to undergo an examination and consult a doctor to determine the cause of what is happening.

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Complications and consequences

Moderate and asymptomatic changes in the cellular structure of the myocardium, detected on the electrocardiogram, usually reflect the initial stage of their development and can often be eliminated even by non-drug methods.

However, it is not worth hoping that everything will pass without any effort on the part of the patient. With metabolic changes, if their cause is not eliminated, the heart also tries to adapt to hypoxia and nutrient deficiency, switching to an anaerobic metabolic process, reducing the production of adenosine triphosphate, which serves as an energy source for contractile activity of the muscles. Areas of ischemia appear in the myocardium, the cells undergo dystrophic changes, and they are irreversible. The most common consequence of cardiomyocyte dystrophy is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which often has an alcoholic etiology. This is one of the most common causes of the development of functional disorders of the myocardium and sudden cardiac death, and not at an advanced age.

The consequence of diffuse-dystrophic changes in the myocardium is the growing atrophy of cardiomyocytes and the formation of small connective tissue areas in their place. The contractile activity of the heart muscle becomes insufficient, almost all organs and systems feel a lack of oxygen, which leads to the development of other pathologies. Diffuse cardiosclerosis is an incurable disease, a very common cause of death of the population, the radical treatment of which today is surgical.

In addition, diffuse changes in the myocardium may be symptoms of chronic diseases of other organs, which also need to be identified and treated as early as possible.

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Diagnostics diffuse myocardial changes

To establish the cause of the change in electrical conductivity in multiple areas distributed throughout the myocardium, additional examinations are necessary.

The doctor usually prescribes blood tests:

• general clinical (the presence of anemia and inflammation can be determined based on blood count indicators);
• on glucose levels;
• on the level of thyroid hormones;
• liver function tests ( blood chemistry tests ) to assess liver function.

General urine analysis results will allow you to assess kidney function.

Instrumental diagnostics are performed in parallel. The patient has usually already had an electrocardiogram by this time, although to exclude errors, such a simple and non-invasive procedure can be repeated. Diffuse changes in the myocardium on the ECG are recorded by the following signs: decreased cardiac conduction and the ability of the heart muscle to contract; heart rhythm disturbances; the presence of premature ventricular repolarization syndrome; low amplitude of the QRS complex. In addition, electrocardiography under load, a study of changes in ECG indicators during the day, can be prescribed.

The patient also undergoes an ultrasound examination of the heart (ECHO cardiography), internal organs of the peritoneum, and thyroid gland.

More specific tests may also be needed, such as immunological tests, chest X-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and radioisotope myocardial examination. This depends on the suspected diagnosis.

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Differential diagnosis

Based on the patient’s research data and complaints, a medical history is compiled and differential diagnostics are performed by excluding the most dangerous diseases that require immediate treatment (pre-infarction condition, ischemia and myocardial inflammation).

Treatment diffuse myocardial changes

The choice of treatment tactics is individual. It depends on the diagnosis and aims to eliminate the cause of the pathology and, if not restore, then at least maintain the functionality of the remaining undamaged part of the muscle tissue.

A healthy lifestyle, including giving up bad habits, optimizing your daily routine, diet, physical and psycho-emotional stress, is of primary importance in this case. In nutrition, you need to focus on dietary meat and fish, caviar, nuts, fruits and vegetables. It is preferable to bake, stew or boil food, eat dairy products, whole grain bread, cereals. There are no strict restrictions, however, it is better to undersalt food, pickles, smoked foods, canned food, strong tea and coffee, sweet carbonated drinks, sweets, fatty foods are still desirable to exclude.

The patient should have a good rest, get enough sleep, spend more time in the fresh air, try not to be nervous. With moderately expressed dystrophic changes, this is enough.

A course of vitamin therapy may be prescribed. For example, multivitamin preparations, including B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, coenzyme Q10.

The drug Magne B6 contains magnesium, which is necessary for the vital activity of cells, and vitamin B6, which promotes the absorption of this element from the digestive tract and its penetration into muscle tissue cells. The tablets are taken in two or three doses, with plenty of water. They are intended for patients over six years of age. A child can be prescribed four to six tablets per day, with 10-30 mg of the drug per kilogram of his weight, and the daily dose for adults is six to eight tablets.

Panangin can increase myocardial contractility caused by electrolyte imbalance, hypoxia, and metabolic changes. This drug contains components such as magnesium and potassium in the form of aspartate, which promotes active transport of divalent magnesium and potassium through cell membranes. These substances are indispensable in processes accompanied by the release and expenditure of energy. There is evidence that therapy with this drug can completely normalize metabolic processes in the myocardium and heart rate, which will be reflected in the control electrocardiogram. Take the tablets after meals with a sufficient amount of water, three times a day, one or two. The maximum daily dose for adults is nine tablets, divided into three doses.

Preparations with magnesium are not prescribed in cases of severe renal failure, as well as to patients sensitized to the components. The result of taking high doses of the drug may be diarrhea, as well as other symptoms of digestive disorders.

To prevent the development of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, hypoxia, and anemia, the treatment regimen may include a complex vitamin preparation Angiovit, which contains three B vitamins - pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), and cyanocobalamin (B12). These vitamins are essential for normal hematopoiesis and functioning of the nervous system, help strengthen vascular walls, and vitamin B6 activates the production of contractile proteins in the tissues of the heart muscle. Contraindications for taking the drug include individual sensitization of the patient to the ingredients of the drug. Take one tablet a day at any time with plenty of water.

It is possible to enhance and normalize metabolic processes in the myocardium with the help of the biopreparation Actovegin by activating the delivery of glucose and oxygen to cardiomyocytes, as well as their accumulation and intracellular breakdown, which promotes faster metabolism of adenosine triphosphate and an increase in cellular energy resources. In addition, the drug activates the process of blood supply to the heart muscle and has an antioxidant effect. As a result of using the drug, skin allergic reactions, hyperhidrosis and hyperthermia are possible. Take orally one or two tablets three times a day before meals. Wash down with plenty of water.

When a disease is detected that caused diffuse changes in the myocardium, specific therapy is prescribed: antibacterial and hormonal for myocarditis, antihypertensive, diuretic, cardiotonic, depending on the identified pathology.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are included in the treatment plan. They are also prescribed only by a doctor individually depending on the detected disorders, their degree and concomitant diseases. Physiotherapeutic treatment is considered one of the safest methods. In cardiology, physical effects of electric current, magnetic waves, laser, and therapeutic baths are used. In case of metabolic disorders in the myocardium, electrosleep, potassium-magnesium electrophoresis, the effect of d'Arsonval currents on the heart area, and balneotherapy are considered effective procedures. Massage and therapeutic exercise may be recommended.

Folk remedies

First of all, it is necessary to include in the diet the products necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. It is recommended to rely on the most common apples, which contain a whole vitamin-mineral complex, pectin, acids, carbohydrates and fiber. The fruit grows in our climate zone, is familiar to us from childhood and very rarely causes allergic reactions. More exotic, but very useful for the myocardium are pomegranates, grapefruits and persimmons, rich in potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C necessary for their absorption. Pumpkin, cereals, flaxseed and flax oil, legumes and beans, sea fish - herring, mackerel, cod, cauliflower and broccoli, young potatoes, walnuts - affordable and very useful products for the heart muscle.

Garlic occupies a special place. It can be used in salads, sauces and as a snack. Many preparations that strengthen the heart muscle are prepared on its basis. For example, garlic oil, for the preparation of which take one head of garlic, peel it and put it in a glass container. Measure out a glass of unrefined sunflower oil, pour in the garlic cloves and leave for a day, shaking the oil infusion from time to time. The next day, add freshly squeezed juice from one lemon, mix everything well and put it in a cool, dark place for a week, during which periodically take out the container with the mixture and shake it. The therapeutic single dose is one teaspoon, which must be swallowed half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Duration of admission is 90 days. A repeat course of treatment is carried out after a month.

Garlic's brother onion is also useful for strengthening the heart muscle, green and onion, whenever possible. There are also various potions with onion, for example, you can mix the juice from onion turnips with the same amount of honey and take a tablespoon before four meals for a month. Every day you need to prepare a new mixture. If necessary, take a week's break, after which the course of treatment can be repeated.

Traditional medicine widely practices herbal treatment of impaired cardiac muscle functions. Foxglove, valerian, motherwort, hawthorn are also used in the pharmaceutical industry in the form of alcohol tinctures, tablets, and herbal infusions.

You can brew tea from hawthorn berries; it is good to combine them in equal proportions with rose hips and drink this drink instead of regular tea.

An infusion of dried hawthorn flowers is taken one tablespoon three times a day. To prepare, take a teaspoon of dried flowers per glass of boiling water.

An infusion of the fruits of this plant is recommended for myocardial inflammation, for which a tablespoon of dry raw material is brewed with a glass of boiling water and after two hours, three tablespoons are taken every day before three meals.

You can mix pharmacy tinctures of propolis and hawthorn in equal volumes, then take 15-20 drops half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hawthorn is also included in many herbal mixtures, for example, this one: mix four tablespoons of its fruits, marsh cudweed and motherwort herbs, add one tablespoon of chamomile flowers. Steam a tablespoon of the herbal mixture in a thermos overnight (at least for eight hours) with 200 ml of boiling water. Strain in the morning and take a tablespoon three times a day, slightly warming up the portion of the infusion before taking. Prepare a fresh infusion every two days. The course of treatment is designed for two weeks.

For myocarditis, it is recommended to prepare an infusion from the following mixture: mix equal amounts of hawthorn flowers and fruits, rose hips, motherwort, nettle and lemon balm, lovage and valerian roots. All dried plants must be crushed before mixing. Then brew a tablespoon of the mixture in 250 ml of boiling water for half an hour. Strain and drink three to four times a day.

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Homeopathy

The healing properties of hawthorn for restoring the performance of the heart muscle were also noted by the founders of this field of medicine. Crataegus oxyacantha (hawthorn) is prescribed as a monodrug for myocardial dysfunction, inflammation and dystrophy. It has a beneficial effect on patients suffering from anemia, high and low blood pressure, diabetes, and supports cardiac activity in severe infectious diseases. As a component, it is included in complex homeopathic preparations used to treat cardiac pathologies.

For example, sublingual drops Kralonin contain not only fruits, but also inflorescences and leaves of hawthorn, as well as Spigelia and Kali carbonicum, which complement and potentiate the effect of hawthorn, as a result of which the rate of therapeutic action increases, and it lasts for a longer time. The homeopathic remedy eliminates discomfort in the chest area, normalizes blood pressure and pulse rate by lengthening the refractory period, reduces the need for oxygen in the heart muscle, in addition, the patient's blood circulation improves and swelling disappears. The drops have a mild sedative effect. They have no contraindications and side effects. The drug is prescribed from the age of six: seven drops - up to 12 years, older - ten (maximum 15-20) at a time. Three-time intake is assumed. You can drip the daily dose into a glass of water and drink during the day, dividing it into several equal parts. The therapeutic effect of the treatment is usually noticeable within two weeks.

In homeopathy, for dystrophic changes in the heart muscle, Adonis, Apocynum, Arnica, Arsenicum album, Calcarea arsenicosa, Fucus, Kali carbonicum and many other drugs are used to increase its tone and normalize the heart rhythm.

The use of complex homeopathic remedies of the Heel brand to stimulate the respiratory function of cells and intracellular metabolic processes Coenzyme compositum, Placenta compositum and Ubiquinone compositum can ensure adequate oxygenation of cardiomyocytes, strengthening of immunity, removal of intoxication, restoration of trophism and lost functions. They can be used simultaneously with other drugs. Catalysts of tissue respiration and metabolic processes are intended for injections, but it is possible to use them orally as a drinking solution. They are dosed individually depending on the cause and degree of damage, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases.

In case of deficiency of nutrients in cells and oxygen starvation of various genesis, drops of Aesculus compositum can be effective, however, in the case when the damage to myocardial cells is not caused by diseases of the thyroid gland and lupus erythematosus. This drug is not recommended for use by patients with leukemia, tuberculosis and multiple sclerosis, pregnant and lactating women. Patients over six years of age dilute ten drops in 50 ml of water and drink, trying to hold them in the mouth, half an hour before a meal or an hour after. Patients aged three to six years are dosed with five drops. The drops can be dripped directly under the tongue without diluting.

Individual sensitization reactions are a contraindication for all drugs.

Self-medication with homeopathic remedies, despite their safety and minor side effects, is not recommended.

Surgical treatment

Heart surgery is resorted to only in the case of an advanced stage of diffuse cardiosclerosis, when conservative treatment is ineffective and the heart muscle cannot cope with its functions. An indication for surgical intervention is such a course of the disease that threatens the patient's life.

Cardiac transplantation is considered the most radical surgical treatment. Such intervention is performed only in extreme cases, when the patient's cardiac output is less than 20% of the norm, which can lead to tissue necrosis. Usually, such operations are performed on patients no older than 65 years old and without severe chronic diseases of other organs.

In order to preserve areas with working cardiomyocytes to ensure their blood supply, bypassing the sclerotic artery, normal blood flow is created through a transplant taken from the patient himself (cardiac artery bypass grafting).

Patients with serious heart rhythm disorders may also be implanted with a pacemaker, a generator of electrical impulses that encourage the heart muscle to contract correctly and rhythmically.

Surgical treatment is also performed according to indications for complications of cardiosclerosis such as aneurysm or acquired heart defects.

Prevention

The best way to prevent cardiovascular diseases is a healthy lifestyle, including giving up bad habits, active recreation and a balanced diet.

After detecting diffuse myocardial changes, even if they were caused by temporary factors and the condition subsequently returned to normal, it is necessary to regularly monitor the situation, periodically undergoing a medical examination and visiting a cardiologist.

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Forecast

There are many reasons that can cause diffuse changes in the myocardium, some of which do not affect the activity of the heart muscle and are not a prerequisite for a serious deterioration in health, quality and life expectancy. Having received such a conclusion from an electrocardiographic study, you should not lose heart, however, you should not neglect this warning either. It is necessary to undergo an examination and, if possible, find out the cause of such a syndrome. Even if any disease is detected, early diagnosis and timely measures will most likely lead to recovery or a significant improvement in the condition. And correction of lifestyle, diet, parting with bad habits will help to avoid complications and aggravation of the situation.

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