Fatty degeneration of the heart

The term Fatty heart disease, also Fat heart or Lipomatosis called, refers to various diseases of the heart region. In the process, connective tissue is transformed into fat cells. This can have various causes, such as damage to the heart muscle tissue or obesity.

What is fatty heart?

At a Fatty heart disease it is either a side effect of obesity or an independent degeneration of the heart muscle. In the case of obesity due to obesity, the right ventricle is particularly affected, which can lead to right heart failure. However, myocardial damage can also occur as a result of chronic alcohol abuse, for example.

The fatty degeneration of the heart also affects the left ventricle and is occasionally associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. The term must be distinguished from the so-called fatty myocardial degeneration, which occurs among other things in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Furthermore, it is important to distinguish fatty degeneration of the heart from coronary artery disease (“calcification” or “obesity” of the coronary arteries), for which the term is sometimes incorrectly used as a synonym.

causes

As a side effect of general obesity, the heart is surrounded by a thick layer of fat when the heart is fatty. If the disease occurs as an independent degeneration of the heart muscle, this is the result of the gradual conversion of the muscle tissue into fat tissue. The main causes of obesity in the heart are a high-fat and high-calorie diet and alcohol abuse.

Persistent overexertion of the heart and diseases of the heart blood vessels can also cause the syndrome. Long-term high fever is another risk factor for fatty heart disease. This occurs, for example, in typhus, smallpox or pyaemia. The diseases that can cause the disease to develop include anemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, scurvy, and prolonged suppuration and bleeding. In particular, women and the elderly are affected by fatty heart disease.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Coronary symptoms such as palpitations and heart failure are among the side effects of fatty heart disease. General symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid fatigue, asthma, shortness of breath, anxiety, fainting spells and dizziness can also be signs of the disease.

Fatty heart as a result of obesity begins with right heart failure. This causes different symptoms, such as blocked and dilated neck veins, edema, congestive kidneys or congestive gastritis. If the left ventricle is affected, it can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy. Among other things, this causes progressive left heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, embolisms and Cheyne-Stokes breathing as a sleep-related breathing disorder.

Diagnosis & course of disease

A fatty heart usually initially leads to right heart failure, which over time spreads to the entire heart. Dilated cardiomyopathy often develops as a long-term consequence. Right heart failure can be diagnosed clinically.

With the help of an echocardiography and a chest x-ray, the enlargement of the heart can be shown. At diagnosis, a widening of the azygos and superior vena cava including the right atrium can be observed. When the right heart is enlarged, the heart is shifted to the left and the apex is raised.

Echocardiography can also be used to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy. The dilation of the ventricles and the left atrium, hypokinesia and wall movement disorders can be determined. An MRI examines the anatomy, heart function and valve function. A biopsy and pathohistology may be used to rule out ischemic causes.

While fatty heart disease can be treated well in the early stages, a severe course with sudden onset of cardiac paralysis can be fatal. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted at an early stage at the first signs. This is the only way to prevent the obesity from causing irreparable damage to the heart.

Complications

A fatty heart can cause a number of complications. First, an oily heart leads to circulatory problems such as high blood pressure, sweats and palpitations. These symptoms are usually accompanied by shortness of breath, exhaustion, and dizziness. This is often associated with a decrease in general well-being and, depending on the degree of fatty degeneration of the heart, the development of psychological problems.

In the further course, right heart failure can develop, which can later develop into complete heart failure. If the left ventricle is affected, dilated cardiomyopathy can develop later. This can lead to left heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and the development of embolisms.

Sleep-related breathing disorders such as Cheyne-Stokes breathing can also occur. A fatty heart as a result of obesity can also lead to dilated neck veins, edema and congestive kidneys. In general, fatty heart disease increases the risk of heart attacks and other life-threatening complications.

If the underlying disease is not treated, the result is usually permanent heart failure, which in turn is associated with symptoms. Major complications are unlikely with the medical treatment of a fatty heart. Only with rapid defatting cures and zero diets is there a risk of overloading the heart.

When should you go to the doctor?

If there is increased shortness of breath, shortness of breath, dizziness or a racing heart, the heart may be fatty. A doctor should be consulted if the symptoms persist for more than a few days or if other symptoms are added. Disturbances in consciousness and fainting spells must be clarified immediately by a doctor. Should there be any major complaints, such as persistent shortness of breath or heart pounding, this should also be examined promptly. People who are overweight are particularly at risk.

Patients who generally eat unhealthily, drink a lot of alcohol or have a disease of the metabolic system are particularly likely to develop fatty heart disease. Anyone who belongs to these risk groups should consult a doctor in the event of the symptoms mentioned. If pronounced heart failure is suspected, the disease may already have progressed well. Then the family doctor should be consulted immediately. Other contacts are the cardiologist or a specialist in internal diseases. In case of doubt, the emergency medical service can be contacted first. In the event of severe complaints, it is advisable to call the emergency services.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

In the early stages of fatty heart disease, it is important to quickly take countermeasures to stop the disease progression. To this end, emotional and psychological stress and excessive physical exertion should be avoided. In order to strengthen the heart muscle and prevent the formation of further fatty tissue, daily walks with slowly increasing levels of stress are recommended.

Under medical supervision, systematic therapeutic gymnastics can also drive the recovery process. A long stay in the fresh forest or mountain air is just as beneficial as strict adherence to a diet. Strong alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea or excessive consumption of water should be avoided as these put a strain on the cardiovascular system.

While sugar, pastries and potatoes should be removed from the menu, the consumption of vegetables and fruit is recommended. In any case, the treatment should be supervised by a doctor instead of independently drawing up a therapy plan. Rapid degreasing cures are not recommended. This eliminates the fatty tissue around the heart too quickly, causing the heart to lose its support.

Possible consequences are heart enlargement and heart failure. In cases that are not too advanced, a careful degreasing cure under medical supervision can lead to complete healing of the patient. Treatment in later stages is more difficult and usually only promises to alleviate the symptoms.

Outlook & forecast

The prospects of recovery from obesity of the heart differ depending on the stage of the disease and the patient's initiative. At an early stage, the disease can be well contained by regular walks in the fresh air and a balanced diet. Stress and excessive physical exertion are not recommended as they put too much strain on the heart and can cause other diseases. The diet should be limited to a strict diet without consuming acidic foods such as coffee, sugar and alcoholic beverages.

A stay in the mountains can also support healing. Here, for example, a stay in a spa facility is ideal. In addition to sufficient exercise, the focus here is also on nutrition. If these criteria are met, the prognosis at this early stage of the disease is very positive.

However, if the fatty heart has progressed, the prospect of a complete cure is very poor. Most of the time, it is just a matter of containing the symptoms and not making them worse. Other serious illnesses should be avoided, which is why close medical care is necessary. However, the prognoses are bad. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted at the first signs of the disease.

prevention

In order to prevent fatty degeneration of the heart as a result of obesity, a healthy diet should come first. This includes largely avoiding high-fat foods or their moderate consumption. Fruits and vegetables should make up 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 far as possible and exercise in the fresh air encouraged. Diseases that put a strain on the cardiovascular system should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible in order to rule out long-term consequences.

Aftercare

In the case of fatty heart disease, the patient usually has very few follow-up measures available. The disease should generally be prevented in order to avoid this complication. In the worst case, fatty heart disease can lead to the death of those affected if they are not treated properly. First and foremost, however, the cause of this obesity must be identified and treated so that the symptoms can be properly limited.

Self-healing does not occur. The treatment itself depends very much on the exact cause of the fatty heart, whereby the doctor usually creates a nutrition plan for the patient. This must be strictly observed. In general, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise also have a positive effect on the course of the disease.

Those affected should also refrain from smoking or consuming alcohol. Since the fatty heart generally weakens the heart significantly, regular examinations should be carried out by a doctor. Whether the disease reduces life expectancy depends to a large extent on the extent of this obesity. Contact with other people affected by the disease can also be useful, as this can lead to an exchange of information.

prevention

In the case of fatty heart disease, the patient usually has very few follow-up measures available. The disease should generally be prevented in order to avoid this complication. In the worst case, the fatty heart can also lead to the death of the person concerned if it is not treated properly.

First and foremost, however, the cause of this obesity must be identified and treated so that the symptoms can be properly limited. Self-healing does not occur. The treatment itself depends very much on the exact cause of the fatty heart, whereby the doctor usually creates a nutrition plan for the patient. This must be strictly observed.

In general, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise also have a positive effect on the course of the disease. The person affected should also refrain from smoking or consuming alcohol. Since the fatty heart generally weakens the heart significantly, regular examinations should be carried out by a doctor.

Whether the disease reduces life expectancy depends very much on the extent of this obesity. Contact with other people affected by the disease can also be useful, as this can lead to an exchange of information.

You can do that yourself

One of the main causes of lipomatosis (fatty degeneration of the heart) is an improper diet, especially a high-fat and high-energy diet, and constant excessive consumption of alcohol. In these cases, the patient himself can do a lot to help his or her health improve.

If the fatty heart is due to obesity, a consistent change in lifestyle is unavoidable. Many people find this very difficult. The support of the family doctor is usually not enough. Since a lack of knowledge and a lack of motivation are often the main causes of severe obesity, those affected should seek professional help. With a nutritionist you will learn which foods are healthy and which foods are better avoided. You will also receive a nutrition plan that is tailored to your health problems and your individual life situation. If necessary, those affected also learn how to properly prepare healthy foods. In addition, it helps many overweight people to join a self-help group, since weight reduction is a lengthy and tough process, especially with severe overweight.

In addition to proper nutrition, regular physical activity also plays an important role. If the weight already limits the ability to move, water sports, in particular swimming and water aerobics, are ideal. There are also gyms in larger cities that specialize in overweight people. The training with special equipment is particularly effective and the membership fees usually motivate to actually use the paid offer.

Anyone suffering from alcohol addiction should start therapy as soon as possible, whereby alcoholics also benefit from membership in an (anonymous) self-help group.