Cardiac Deterioration and Weight Loss: Understanding Cardiac Cachexia and Its Implications
In the realm of heart health, a lesser-known yet significant condition is cardiac cachexia. This condition, which affects individuals living with heart failure, is characterised by weight loss, skeletal mass loss, and muscle wasting [1].
Cardiac cachexia is more than just a physical manifestation. It also triggers inflammation and impacts several organs, contributing to a worsened prognosis, especially in severe heart failure patients [2][3]. The primary causes of cardiac cachexia are systemic inflammation, metabolic disturbances, and neurohormonal activation, leading to progressive loss of cardiac and skeletal muscle mass [4].
The inflammatory process in cardiac cachexia is marked by elevated cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), promoting cardiac fibrosis, remodeling, and muscle degradation [1][3]. Additionally, metabolic dysregulation, particularly disruptions in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle, contributes to muscle loss [2].
The clinical effects of cardiac cachexia are far-reaching. They include loss of body and muscle mass, reduced exercise capacity, worsening heart failure symptoms, and poorer prognosis [3][5]. Cardiac fibrosis decreases cardiac output, while systemic catabolism leads to muscle wasting beyond the heart, contributing to frailty and increased mortality.
While the exact cause of cardiac cachexia is not fully understood, it is believed to be multifaceted, involving factors such as food intake, imbalances between anabolic and catabolic processes, gastrointestinal abnormalities, neurohormonal activation, immunological activation, nutrient malabsorption, and poor cardiac output [6].
Symptoms of cardiac cachexia include slow wound healing, reduced strength and ability to exercise, impaired immune function, muscle wasting, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, inflammation, and poor cardiac output [7].
It is crucial for individuals living with heart failure to speak with their doctors if they experience unexplained weight loss, as this could be a sign of cardiac cachexia. Diagnosis criteria may include more than 5% weight loss over 12 months or a BMI of less than 20, as well as symptoms such as anorexia, fatigue, decrease in muscle strength, anemia, increase in inflammatory markers, and low blood albumin levels [7].
In an effort to prevent and treat cardiac cachexia, doctors and medical professionals often recommend focusing on psychological and behavioral factors. These strategies may address how a person eats and feels, potentially helping to maintain a moderate weight and improve overall health [8].
While weight loss can be beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, it is important to note that rapid weight loss may be detrimental for those living with cardiovascular disease [9]. Additionally, diet pills, exercise, caffeine intake, nutritional disturbances, or electrolyte abnormalities can trigger heart palpitations [10].
In conclusion, understanding cardiac cachexia is crucial for those living with heart failure. By recognising the symptoms and working closely with healthcare professionals to manage weight and overall health, individuals can potentially improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of premature death associated with this condition.
- Cardiac cachexia, a condition in heart failure patients, also triggers depression and mental health issues, worsening the patient's prognosis.
- In the realm of medical-conditions, obesity and chronic diseases like heart failure, depression, and weight-management play significant roles in cardiac cachexia.
- The predictive marker for cardiac cachexia can be arrhythmia, as it is a symptom of systemic catabolism that leads to muscle wasting beyond the heart.
- Science is delving into exploring the impact of nutrition and weight-management on cardiovascular health, particularly in governing the progression of chronic diseases like cardiac cachexia.
- AQ, a potential diagnostic tool for cardiovascular-health conditions, could aid in the early detection and management of cardiac cachexia linked to weight loss.
- The worsening cardiac-cachexia symptoms, such as weight loss, anemia, and inflammation, can increase the risk of severe heart failure and cardiovascular diseases.
- In the field of health-and-wellness, it's essential to address the link between mental-health, nutrition, and weight-management in preventing and alleviating the effects of chronic diseases like cardiac cachexia.
