San Antonio, TX
A 64-year-old female asked:
What exactly is diastolic dysfunction?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Calvin Weisbergeranswered
53 years experience
Diastolic dysfunctio: Good question....The heart in diastole relaxes and the fibers stretch out as the heart fills. When there is diastolic dysfunction the heart doesn't relax normally and it takes higher pressures to stretch out the fibers to where they can efficiently shorten for systole. This is somewhat oversimplified but hopefully gives you the general idea.....
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A Verified Doctoranswered
36 years experience
Diastolic dysf: This occurs when the heart muscle is stiffer than normal and more than a normal amount of pressure is required to fill the heart before it pumps the blood out. If the filling pressure gets too high it results in pulmonary edema and shortness of breath, particularly with exertion. Uncontrolled hypertension is a common cause and can be acute or chronic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 17, 2019
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