Difference between Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure

Difference between Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure: Heart failure is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It happens when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, which can cause a number of problems and symptoms. Two common types of heart failure are chronic diastolic heart failure and congestive heart failure. While they share some similarities, there are also important differences between the two conditions. In this article, we will explore the key features, causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches for chronic diastolic heart failure and congestive heart failure. 

Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure:Chronic diastolic heart failure, also known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), occurs when the heart's left ventricle becomes stiff, leading to difficulty in filling with blood during the relaxation phase. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.

Congestive Heart Failure:Congestive heart failure happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can result from various conditions that weaken or damage the heart, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and abdomen.

Difference Between Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure

What is Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure?

Chronic diastolic heart failure, also known as diastolic heart failure, occurs when the heart is unable to fill properly during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. This results in a decrease in the amount of blood pumped out to the body with each heartbeat, leading to a decrease in cardiac output. While the heart's ability to contract may be normal, the ventricles do not relax adequately during diastole, impairing their ability to fill with blood.

Key Features of Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure:

• Impaired Relaxation of the Ventricles: The primary characteristic of chronic diastolic heart failure is impaired relaxation of the ventricles. This leads to decreased ventricular filling during diastole, resulting in reduced stroke volume and cardiac output.
• Normal Ejection Fraction: In chronic diastolic heart failure, the ejection fraction (EF) is typically normal or near-normal. The percentage of blood expelled from the left ventricle with each heartbeat is known as the "ejection fraction." While the heart's ability to contract may be preserved, its ability to relax is impaired.
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Chronic diastolic heart failure is often associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, a condition characterized by an increase in the size and thickness of the left ventricle. This is a compensatory response to the impaired filling of the ventricle.
• Increased Left Atrial Pressure: The impaired filling of the left ventricle leads to increased pressure in the left atrium, which can result in pulmonary congestion and symptoms such as shortness of breath.

What is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a type of heart failure that occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands. This leads to a buildup of fluid in the body's tissues, resulting in symptoms such as swelling, shortness of breath, and fatigue. CHF can affect the left side, right side, or both sides of the heart.

Key Features of Congestive Heart Failure?

• Fluid Buildup: The hallmark feature of congestive heart failure is the buildup of fluid in the body's tissues, a condition known as edema. This can cause swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, and abdomen.
• Reduced Cardiac Output: Congestive heart failure is characterized by a decrease in cardiac output, which is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute. This leads to a decrease in oxygen delivery to the body's tissues, resulting in fatigue and weakness.
• Left-sided vs. Right-sided Heart Failure: Congestive heart failure can affect the left side, right side, or both sides of the heart. Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle is unable to pump blood effectively to the body, leading to pulmonary congestion and symptoms such as shortness of breath. Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle is unable to pump blood effectively to the lungs, leading to systemic congestion and symptoms such as swelling in the legs and abdomen.

Similarities Between Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure and Congestive Heart Failure

• Symptoms: Both conditions can cause similar symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling.
• Treatment: The treatment approach for both conditions may involve lifestyle modifications, medications, and cardiac rehabilitation.
• Diagnostic Tests: Diagnostic tests such as echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and blood tests are used to diagnose both conditions.
• Complications: Both conditions can lead to serious complications, including arrhythmias, kidney failure, and death.
• Risk Factors: Common risk factors for both conditions include hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and obesity.