What Causes Hardened Wall In Heart?

Posted on Thu, 15 May 2014

Question: My dr said the walls of my heart were harden is there any thing I can do for it ?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Did you ask your doctor what the cause is?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this finding and all the inconveniences this has caused you. No one hears that the heart has a problem and stays like nothing wrong is going on. I understand your fears and worries and they are totally normal.

The cause of this hardened wall should be investigated. There are some conditions like excess iron deposition on the walls of the heart, infiltration of the heart muscles by abnormal tissue like amyloid, inflammatory conditions like sarcoidosis, etc that could be possible causes of this condition.

The exact cause of this problem should be identified. Once identified, specific treatment options can be established. We can not go on the basis of a hardened heart to propose any meaningful intervention strategy without knowing the specifics. Besides, are you having any symptoms of a heart disease? If yes, what are they?

In all, ask your doctor to refer you to a cardiologist for further investigations so that the exact cause of this hardened heart wall can be identified and managed accordingly.

I hope this helps.I wish you well and feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be. Thanks for using our services and know that we are here to serve you to the best of our ability.

Dr. Ditah, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (38 minutes later)

The doc said a cardiologist is the one who looked at the ego and said the heart was inlarged and that the lower part of the heart that the flu it goes to the lungs is where the walls are harden. My Blood pressure is fine so it was a shock to find this. She told me I would just have to try and not get stressed out.she said that when I get stressed out the fluid would spit out the top of the valve and go in my lungs.
That is all I know. If there is anything you can tell me what I can do I would appreciate it. I am only 57 and raising 5 kids from age 9 to 17. The doctor also said my heart was working 60%
Thank you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not get bothered by this!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and sorry about this rather troubling information that you were delivered.

Why get bothered if you have no symptoms? There is really no point in stressing over this. This seems to be an opportunistic finding that has now taken precedence over what matters most, and that is how you feel. If you have no symptoms related to any possible heart disease, let the findings be.

In medicine, we would always find a problem somewhere if we went investigating every organ. This is simply because the fact that a test says there is something different from what the general population has doesn't make it a disease. What makes it a disease are the symptoms that you report. With no symptoms, stay calm and only act should something new comes up.

A heart working 60%(ejection fraction) is largely normal. Be calm and relaxed unless something else arises that warrants further action.

I hope this helps. I wish you well and feel free to keep the discussion going.
Dr. Ditah, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 minutes later)

I have dizzy spell ones in awhile and get out of breath. But that is the only real thing.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
See below

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for this information.

This at least raises some concerns. My advice would be that you continue your life as before and use these findings as the baseline findings. Do a control of the cardiac ultrasound in 3months and let's see is this condition is stable or getting any worse. Should it stay stable, I will advice that you continue with monitoring.

If it is getting worse, I will suggest that you should be referred to a cardiologist for a more comprehensive management and not on his input. Do you get tired with pretty intense physical duties or even the least activity renders you tired?

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (52 minutes later)

I get tried both way, I get out of breath easy, just carrying a load of clothes up the staries and I was having a hard time breathing. I just sat down and tried to get my breath back it took about 4 or 5 mins .I just wanted to say thank you for talking to me you really made me feel better and I'm not as scared as much as I was. I will be talking to a cardiologist next month. So again that you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your kind words!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and than you so much for these kind words.

Am humbled to know I have been able to help you this day. Please, do keep me updated when you must have seen the cardiologist.

I know you love your children and so very much. Please, extend my regards to them.

I wish you the best of all possible outcomes.
Dr. Ditah, MD.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar