Effects of Statin Drugs on Diastolic Dysfunction

Diastolic dysfunction is the inability of normal relaxation of the heart. The consequence of it is heart failure, the inability of the heart to pump out the blood from the organ. Cholesterol is a product of the body or it can be acquired from your dietary patterns. Statins are drugs prescribed for the control of the body's cholesterol. However, recent scientific research suggests that these drugs can have use in the treatment of diastolic dysfunction.

Considerations

• Heart failure is a condition in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. According to the Merck Manual, the features of it are congestion of the lungs and veins due to blood stagnation. The heart is divided in four chambers: two ventricles, which pump the blood out of the heart and two atria, which "collect" the blood back to the heart. In addition, the heart is divided in two "halves", right and left. There are two types of heart failure: systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure.

Misconceptions

• Heart failure is often confused with cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is a sudden event where the heart simply stops functioning and is a life-threatening situation. In heart failure, the organ fails to pump out the blood gradually.

Identification

• Both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions have their own clinical features. According to Merck Manual, systolic dysfunction is the result of less pump action. The heart cannot be emptied during contraction. The direct consequence is pulmonary congestion in both lungs and veins. In diastolic dysfunction, the heart relaxes abnormally and the filling of it is impaired. Because of it, the person will have lung congestion and liquid retention (edema) at the lower extremities.

Diastolic Dysfunction

• According to the Merck Manual, the most common cause of diastolic dysfunction is untreated high blood pressure. Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to an abnormal heart relaxation, too.

  The treatment for the condition will include the high blood pressure control using anti-hypertensive medications. The medications for it are mostly diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptors blockers. In addition, a change toward healthy lifestyle plays an important role. For diabetic persons, the target will be the blood sugar control with medications as well as changes in lifestyle.

Statins

• Medline Plus defines statins as drugs designed to lower the cholesterol levels in the blood. The drug is used when dietary and lifestyle performance are not enough to lower the level of cholesterol, although it may be started in any moment during treatment. The drug is not recommended for pregnant women or persons with liver function impairment. The most common side effect of it is muscle pain. The pain cannot be taken lightly because it may represent a more serious condition, rhabdomyolysis, a break down of muscle that will damage the kidneys.

Findings

• In addition to increased blood pressure and diabetes, an increased blood cholesterol levels is often present in this group. Most of them will benefit of the use of statins as part of their treatment. Research has demonstrated the benefits: Faramarz and his group from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, found an "improved survival in patients with diastolic heart failure" in 2009. Fukuta from Wake Forest University School of Medicine obtained the same finding, previously in 2005.

  In addition, Strazzullo et.al at the University of London stated: "In conclusion, statin therapy has a relatively small but statistically significant and clinically meaningful effect on blood pressure."

  Summarizing, Statins appear to have a role in diastolic dysfunction treatment. However, more in-depth research is needed to include the medication as part of the cornerstone of treatment.