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Liu Yong
Cardiology
About me
Graduated from Shandong University, has been dedicated to the study and treatment of heart-related diseases. Has extensive experience in coronary heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmia, and congenital heart disease, has worked on the front line of clinical practice for a long time.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, cardiac valve disease, and acute myocardial infarction.
Voices
Dilated cardiomyopathy clinical manifestations
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease characterized clinically by a significant enlargement of the heart, a marked reduction in ejection fraction, and a significant decline in heart function. Common clinical manifestations of this disease often present as heart failure symptoms, including chest tightness and shortness of breath after activity, nocturnal paroxysmal breathing difficulties, inability to lie flat, as well as swelling of the lower limbs and abdominal wall, and even conditions such as pleural effusion and ascites. Additionally, it may be associated with various types of arrhythmias, such as premature beats and tachycardia, especially ventricular tachycardia, which are all manifestations of dilated cardiomyopathy.
What is tachycardia?
Tachycardia can be caused by nervousness, anemia, hyperthyroidism, staying up late, cervical spondylosis, myocardial ischemia, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, or low blood pressure, etc. Normal people may also experience faster heart rates when eating, climbing stairs, walking, exercising, feeling nervous, or when drunk. Tachycardia is just a symptom, and it is advised to visit a regular hospital for relevant examinations to obtain a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It is also important to avoid being picky with food, not to consume too much junk food, and to drink teas that may improve microcirculation. Engaging in aerobic breathing exercises or beneficial health and wellness therapies can boost resistance. Additionally, one should not smoke or be around smokers, nor live in newly renovated houses to avoid potential discomfort.
Does cardiomyopathy require surgery?
Firstly, whether myocardial disease requires surgery, we need to clarify the type of myocardial disease and the stage of myocardial disease, that is, the stage of heart function that has been affected. There are many types of myocardial diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy, for instance. The treatment plans for different types of myocardial diseases are not exactly the same. For example, dilated cardiomyopathy is generally treated with medication, and only in the very late stages of dilated cardiomyopathy, or what is known as stage IV heart function, when conventional medication is ineffective, heart transplantation might be considered if a donor is available and conditions allow. However, currently, heart donors are extremely rare, making this option quite difficult to achieve. The latest advances in clinical research have introduced artificial mechanical hearts available for transplantation, but the costs of surgery are very high, and the technology is not very mature yet. Therefore, the chances and opportunities for surgery are not very great and must be decided based on the situation. For other conditions, such as ischemic cardiomyopathy, if it is clearly caused by severe ischemia, we might consider addressing the factors causing myocardial ischemia, such as performing a coronary angiography. If there is severe coronary artery stenosis, we might consider implementing a coronary artery stent or coronary artery bypass grafting to alleviate the ischemic factors. In cases like restrictive cardiomyopathy, if there are severe restrictive factors contributing to the disease, surgical treatment might also be pursued.
Palpitations means tachycardia.
Tachycardia, as the name suggests, means that the heart beats fast. How many beats per minute constitute a fast heartbeat or tachycardia? Clinically, it is generally considered that a heartbeat exceeding 100 beats/min can be termed as tachycardia. There are various types of tachycardia, such as sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, or ventricular tachycardia. There are also atrial tachycardia and junctional tachycardia. The origin of tachycardia varies, and its clinical significance is completely different. Therefore, it is essential to identify the nature of the tachycardia in order to treat it effectively. How to confirm the diagnosis? In this case, it is best to obtain an electrocardiogram during an episode. If the electrocardiogram at the moment of occurrence is not available, it is recommended to wear a 24-hour Holter monitor to determine the cause further. Only after identifying the cause can targeted treatment be administered.
Constrictive pericarditis causes hepatomegaly.
The so-called constrictive pericarditis refers to the presence of fibrotic calcifications and fibrotic hyperplasia in the pericardium, which severely affects the diastolic function of the heart. Once the diastolic function of the heart is compromised, the return flow of venous blood becomes severely obstructed, leading to congestion of the liver. Therefore, once congestion of the liver and spleen occurs, enlargement of the liver can occur, and in severe cases, it can lead to systemic edema, including ascites and similar conditions. Thus, the basic principle behind the enlargement of the liver in constrictive pericarditis is as such. Especially in such cases, patients will experience severe dietary problems, including poor appetite and indigestion, which further lead to low protein levels and malnutrition, exacerbating the enlargement of the liver and edema.