The term fatty heart, also called fatty heart or lipomatosis, refers to various diseases of the heart region. This involves connective tissue turning into fat cells. This can have various causes, such as damage to the heart muscle tissue or obesity.
What is fatty heart disease?
Cardiac fatty degeneration is either a concomitant of obesity or an independent degeneration of the heart muscle. In fatty degeneration due to obesity, the right ventricle is particularly affected, which can lead to right heart failure. However, myocardial damage can also occur, for example, as a result of chronic alcohol abuse. In this case, the fatty degeneration of the heart also affects the left ventricle and is occasionally accompanied by dilated cardiomyopathy. The term should be distinguished from so-called fatty myocardial degeneration, which occurs, among other things, in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, it is important to distinguish fatty heart disease from coronary artery disease (“calcification” or “fatty degeneration” of the coronary arteries), for which the term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym.
Causes
As a concomitant of general obesity, fatty heart disease involves the heart being surrounded by a thick layer of fat. If the disease occurs as an independent degeneration of the heart muscle, it is the result of the gradual transformation of muscle tissue into fatty tissue. The main causes of fatty degeneration of the heart are a high-fat, high-calorie diet and alcohol abuse. However, prolonged overexertion of the heart and diseases of the heart blood vessels can also cause the syndrome. Long-lasting high fever is another risk factor for fatty heart syndrome. This occurs, for example, in typhoid fever, smallpox, or pyemia. Diseases that can cause the development of the disease include anemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, scurvy, and prolonged suppuration and hemorrhage. Women and the elderly are particularly affected by fatty heart disease.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The accompanying symptoms of fatty heart include coronary symptoms such as palpitations and heart failure. However, general symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid fatigue, asthma, shortness of breath, tremors, fainting and dizziness may also be signs of the disease. Fatty heart disease as a result of obesity begins with right heart failure. This causes various symptoms, such as congested and dilated neck veins, edema, congested kidneys, or congested gastritis. If the left ventricle is affected, this can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy. This causes progressive left heart failure, arrhythmias, emboli, and Cheyne-Stokes respiration as a sleep-related breathing disorder, among other symptoms.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Cardiac fatty degeneration usually leads initially to right heart failure, which spreads to the entire heart as time progresses. Dilated cardiomyopathy often develops as a long-term consequence. Right heart failure can be diagnosed clinically. Echocardiography and a chest x-ray can be used to visualize the enlargement of the heart. At diagnosis, widening of the azygos vein and superior vena cava, including the right atrium, can be observed. There is a left shift of the heart with elevation of the apex when the right heart is enlarged. Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy can also be made by echocardiography. Dilatation of the ventricles and left atrium, hypokinesia, and wall motion abnormalities can be detected. An MRI will check anatomy, cardiac function, and valve function. A biopsy and pathohistology may be consulted to rule out ischemic causes. While fatty heart disease is easily treatable in early stages, a severe course with sudden onset of cardiac paralysis can be fatal. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted early on at the first signs. This is the only way to prevent fatty degeneration from causing irreparable damage to the heart.
Complications
Fatty heart disease can cause a number of complications. First, a fatty heart leads to circulatory problems such as high blood pressure, sweating, and palpitations. These symptoms are usually accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness.This is often associated with a decrease in general well-being and, depending on the degree of fatty heart disease, the development of psychological problems. In the further course, right heart failure may also develop, which can later develop into complete heart failure. If the left ventricle is affected, dilated cardiomyopathy may develop later. As a result, left heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and the development of emboli may occur. In addition, sleep-related breathing disorders such as Cheyne-Stokes respiration may occur. Cardiac obesity as a result of obesity can also lead to dilated neck veins, edema, and congested kidneys. In general, fatty heart disease increases the risk of heart attacks and other life-threatening complications. If the causative disease is not treated, permanent heart failure usually develops, which in turn is associated with symptoms. Major complications are unlikely to occur with medical treatment of fatty heart disease. Only rapid de-fatting diets and zero diets run the risk of overloading the heart.
When should you see a doctor?
If there is increased shortness of breath, shortness of breath, dizziness or palpitations, there may be a fatty heart condition. A doctor should be consulted if symptoms persist for more than a few days or if other symptoms are added. Disturbances of consciousness and fainting spells must be clarified immediately by a doctor. If more serious symptoms develop, for example permanent shortness of breath or heart palpitations, this should also be investigated promptly. People who are overweight are particularly at risk. Patients who generally eat an unhealthy diet, drink a lot of alcohol or have a metabolic disorder are also particularly likely to develop fatty heart disease. Anyone who counts themselves among these risk groups should consult a doctor if they have any of the symptoms mentioned. If there is a suspicion of pronounced heart failure, the disease may already be well advanced. In this case, the family doctor should be consulted immediately. Other contacts are the cardiologist or a specialist in internal diseases. If in doubt, the emergency medical service can be contacted first. In the event of severe symptoms, a call to the emergency medical services is recommended.
Treatment and therapy
In the early stages of fatty heart disease, taking countermeasures quickly is important to stop the progression of the disease. For this purpose, emotional as well as psychological stress and excessive physical exertion should be avoided. To strengthen the heart muscle and prevent the formation of further fatty tissue, daily walks with a slowly increasing degree of exertion are recommended. Under medical supervision, systematic remedial gymnastics can also drive the recovery process. A long stay in fresh forest or mountain air is just as beneficial as strict adherence to a diet. Strong alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea or excessive water consumption are to be avoided, since these stress the cardiovascular system. While sugar, pastries and potatoes should be eliminated from the diet, the consumption of vegetables and fruits is recommended. In any case, the treatment should be supervised by a doctor instead of setting up a therapy plan independently. Rapid de-fattening cures are not advisable. These eliminate the fatty tissue around the heart too quickly, causing the heart to lose its support. Possible consequences are heart enlargement and cardiac insufficiency. In cases that are not too advanced, a careful de-fatting cure under medical supervision can lead to complete healing of the patient. Treatment in later stages is more difficult and usually promises only a weakening of the symptoms.
Outlook and prognosis
The prospects for recovery from fatty heart disease vary depending on the stage of the disease and the patient’s initiative. At an early stage, the disease can be well controlled by regular walks in the fresh air and a balanced diet. Stress and excessive physical exertion are not recommended, as these can put too much strain on the heart and cause other diseases. Diet should be limited to a strict diet, without the consumption of acidic foods such as coffee, sugar and alcoholic beverages. A stay in the mountains can additionally support the healing process. Here, for example, a stay in a spa facility is a good option.In addition to sufficient exercise, the focus here is also on nutrition. If these criteria are observed, the prognosis at this early stage of the disease is very positive. However, if the fatty degeneration of the heart is advanced, the prospect of a complete cure is very poor. In most cases, the aim here is only to contain the symptoms and not to make them worse. Further serious illnesses should be avoided, which is why close medical care is necessary. However, the prognosis is poor. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted at the first signs of the disease.
Prevention
To prevent fatty heart disease as a result of obesity, a health-promoting diet should be the first priority. This includes avoiding high-fat foods as much as possible, or consuming them in moderation. Fruits and vegetables should form the majority of meals to avoid excessive accumulation of fat cells. The fat heart that develops in the course of alcohol abuse can be prevented by moderate alcohol consumption. In any case, stress should be avoided as much as possible and exercise in fresh air should be encouraged. Diseases that stress the cardiovascular system should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out long-term consequences.
Aftercare
In the case of fatty heart disease, there are usually very few measures of aftercare available to the patient. In general, the disease should be prevented so that this complication does not occur. In the worst case, fatty heart disease can lead to death if not treated properly. First and foremost, however, the cause of this fatty degeneration must be identified and treated so that the symptoms can be properly limited. A self-healing does not occur thereby. The treatment itself depends very much on the exact cause of the fatty degeneration of the heart, and the doctor usually draws up a diet plan for the patient. This must be strictly adhered to. In general, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise also has a positive effect on the course of the disease. Those affected should also refrain from smoking or consuming alcohol. Since fatty heart disease generally weakens the heart considerably, regular examinations by a doctor should be carried out. Whether the disease reduces life expectancy depends to a large extent on the extent of this fatty degeneration. Contact with other sufferers of the disease can also be useful in this regard, as it can lead to an exchange of information.
Prevention
In the case of fatty heart disease, there are usually very few measures of aftercare available to the patient. In general, the disease should be prevented so that this complication does not occur. In the worst case, fatty heart disease can lead to the death of the patient if it is not treated properly. First and foremost, however, the cause of this fatty degeneration must be identified and treated so that the symptoms can be properly limited. A self-healing does not occur thereby. The treatment itself depends very much on the exact cause of the fatty degeneration of the heart, and the doctor usually draws up a diet plan for the patient. This must be strictly adhered to. In general, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise also has a positive effect on the course of the disease. Patients should also refrain from smoking or consuming alcohol. Since fatty heart disease generally weakens the heart considerably, regular examinations by a physician should take place. Whether the disease reduces life expectancy depends very much on the extent of this fatty degeneration. Contact with other sufferers of the disease can also be useful, as this can lead to an exchange of information.
This is what you can do yourself
One of the main causes of lipomatosis (fatty heart) is improper diet, especially high-fat and high-energy diet, as well as permanent excessive consumption of alcohol. In these cases, the patient himself can do a lot to improve his health condition. If the fatty heart is due to obesity, a consistent change in lifestyle is essential. However, many people find this very difficult. The support of the family doctor is usually not enough.Since a lack of knowledge and motivation are often the main causes of severe obesity, it is best for those affected to seek professional help. With a nutritionist, they learn which foods are healthy and which foods are better avoided. They also receive a diet plan tailored to their health problems and individual life situation. If necessary, they also learn how to properly prepare healthy foods. In addition, it helps many overweight people to join a self-help group, as weight reduction is a lengthy and tough process, especially in the case of severe obesity. In addition to proper nutrition, regular physical exercise also plays an important role. If the weight already restricts the ability to move, water sports, especially swimming and water gymnastics, are a good option. In larger cities, there are also fitness studios that specialize in people who are overweight. Training with special equipment is particularly effective, and the membership fees usually motivate people to actually use what they pay for. Those suffering from alcohol addiction should begin therapy promptly, and alcoholics also benefit from membership in an (anonymous) support group.
