Stem Cell Therapies

Stem Cell Therapy

Heart failure is also known as congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart fails to function as it should. The function of the heart is to receive and pump blood to the entire body, however, there are some conditions that impairs or reduces the functionality of the heart. Some of these conditions include the constriction or narrowing of the heart vessels, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and so on.  There are a lot of signs and symptoms that accompany congestive heart failure. Some of them include prolonged and regular fatigue, dyspnea, swelling of the legs and so on. Dyspnea typically occurs on exertion, when the individual is lying down, and also when the person wakes up at night. Patients might also experience chest pain, however, this rarely occurring in heart failure. Congestive heart failure is mostly caused by conditions that affect the vasculature of the heart. These conditions lead to a reduction in the amount of blood the heart receives. Just as mentioned earlier, conditions such as arterial constriction, hypertension, valve disorders, over-consumption of alcohol, infection, and so on. These conditions cause changes in the structure and also impairs the normal function of the heart. Heart failure can be classified based on different criteria. It can be divided into left and right heart failure. It can also be classified based on the presence of cyanosis. This results in cyanotic and non-cyanotic heart failure. Heart failure can be diagnosed based on the complaints of the patient. Doctors also carry out other examinations to diagnose. Some of these include blood tests, electrocardiography, echocardiography, radiography, physical exercise and so on. The treatment procedure of heart failure depends on factors such as the severity of the disease, the etiology of the disease, the general health of the patient and so on. Some of the treatment methods include lifestyle modifications, medications, and physical exercise. Physicians can also buy stem cell injections online that can be processed and differentiated to form cells that can heal the damages to the heart, and replace the damaged tissues.

What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Failure?

Heart failure might present as an acute condition, and might also be chronic. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of heart failure;

  1. Dyspnea: This is one of the most common symptoms of heart failure. People affected by heart failure. Patients complain of breathlessness, especially on exertion, and when they also lie down.
  2. Tiredness: Patients always complain of tiredness. This is because their heart isn’t pumping the sufficient amount of blood the body needs.
  3. Oedema of the leg: People affected by heart failure do present with swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet. This is also as a result of an impairment of the heart function.
  4. Arrhythmia: Heart failure patients do present with irregular heartbeat and rhythm.
  5. Coughing and wheezing: Patients might experience coughing and wheezing. This cough is usually productive, with white or pink stained sputum.
  6. Weight gain: Patients also do gain a lot of weight within a short time. This is because of the fluid retention in the body.
  7. Nausea and loss of appetite: Heart failure patients generally do present with a loss of appetite. In addition, they also feel nauseated.
  8. Difficulty focusing and reduced alertness
  9. Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen: The process by which fluid accumulates in the abdomen is known as ascites.

                          What Are The Causes Of Heart Failure?

  1. Congestive Heart failure: might occur as a result of a condition in which the quantity of blood in the body is more than the capability of the heart. This is known as a high-output It occurs in conditions in which there is fluid overload in the body. Some of the conditions in which this occurs include hyperthyroidism, multiple myeloma, arteriovenous malformations and so on. In addition, infections can also lead to the inflammation of the heart, which would eventually lead to heart failure. Viral infections are one of the commonest diseases that leads to the inflammation of the muscular layer of the heart. Other diseases that can lead to heart failure include amyloidosis. This is a condition in which there is the deposition of abnormal proteins in the heart and other parts of the body. Heart failure can also be caused by autoimmune diseases. An example of this is the autoimmune connective tissue disease systemic lupus erythematosus. Obstructive sleep apnea is also one of the diseases that could lead to heart failure. This disease is mostly associated with another disease such as obesity and hypertension.
  2. Acute decompensation of the heart: Heart failure that has been persistent for a long time can easily decompensate. This usually occurs as a result of conditions such as heart attack, pneumonia, hypertension, medications and so on. Other conditions that can lead to the decompensation of the heart include hyperthyroidism and anemia. In addition, excessive consumption of salt, fluid, and drugs such as thiazolidinedione generally predisposes patients to have heart failure.
  3. Hypertension: Blood pressures that exceed the normal range forces the heart to work harder than usual. This extra exertion that the heart is doing will eventually weaken the heart over time and might lead to heart failure.
  4. Valve disorders: The function of the heart valve is to ensure the heart is flowing in the right direction. Any impairment of the heart valves will make the heart work harder than normal, which could weaken the heart as time goes on, and might lead to heart failure.
  5. Cardiomyopathy: There are many factors that could lead to the damage of the heart. Some of these factors include infections, diseases, alcohol abuse and so on.
  6. Congenital diseases: There are some congenital diseases that could lead to the malfunction of the heart. Examples include septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus and so on.

                          How is heart failure currently treated?

Heart failure is a chronic disease that requires a lifelong treatment. Asides improving the signs and symptoms of heart failure patients, treatment also prolongs their lives and saves them from complications that may arise. Medications are the most common and effective method of treating heart failure. Some of the drugs include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and so on.

Stem Cell Therapy Of Heart Failure

Adipose-derived stem cells are used for the treatment of heart failure. These cells are capable of differentiating into cardiac cells. These stem cells are usually processed in the clinic, and induced to form heart cells before they’re injected back in the body.

References

Butler, J. (2011). Congestive Heart Failure Special Issue on Advanced Heart Failure. Congestive Heart Failure, 17(4), pp.159-159.

Heidenreich, P. (2016). Heart Failure Patients Need More Than Heart Failure Care∗. JACC: Heart Failure, 4(3), pp.194-196.

Kania, G., Boheler, K., Landmesser, U. and Wojakowski, W. (2011). Stem Cells in Heart Failure. Stem Cells International, 2011, pp.1-3.

Ohuchi, H. and Diller, G. (2014). Biomarkers in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Heart Failure. Heart Failure Clinics, 10(1), pp.43-56.