Systolic dysfunction is a form of heart failure that occurs when the heart can no longer pump an adequate amount of blood to the body's organs and tissues. Although the condition has various symptoms, the most common symptom and cause is myocardial infarction, a heart attack. For patients whose systolic dysfunction develops over time, doctors can make a diagnosis using one of many procedures or tests. After diagnosis, a patient and her doctor will decide on the treatment method and lifestyle changes that best suit the severity and progression of the condition.
After myocardial infarction, doctors will assess systolic dysfunction during a patient's hospital stay and do physical follow-up. When systolic dysfunction develops over time, symptoms can be so mild that a patient, usually older, may not recognize that they have a heart condition. These symptoms include fatigue, confusion, and disorientation. These symptoms are present with many types of conditions, so systolic dysfunction is usually not diagnosed until it has progressed to an advanced stage.
There are many options for diagnosing systolic dysfunction. Electrocardiography (ECG) is the most common and reliable method. A doctor can measure heart function and measure whether the heart is ejecting an adequate amount of blood with each pump. Most likely, the doctor will be able to determine the cause of the dysfunction at the same time. However, in some cases, a heart tissue biopsy is necessary to check for bacterial infection.
Only after a doctor has made a diagnosis, determined the cause, and measured the progression of systolic dysfunction can the patient choose an appropriate treatment option. Sometimes surgery is involved if the cause is a congenital heart defect. Multiple courses of antibiotics are necessary for those whose dysfunction is caused by infection. Even if treatment stops the progression of systolic dysfunction, heart damage is permanent in most cases. Lifestyle changes are necessary to ensure a longer and higher quality life.
For those whose systolic dysfunction is caused by a heart attack, a change in diet is essential for better health. Reducing salt intake and eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet will help the patient lose weight and lower blood pressure. Quitting smoking and severely reducing alcohol consumption is an absolute must. A doctor might suggest this course even if the dysfunction has a different cause, because lifestyle changes allow certain heart medications to work much more effectively.