Global Hypokinesis

What is hypokinesia?

It is the deterioration in the functions of the heart secondary to weakness in some parts of whole parts of the heart.

What is global hypokinesis?

It is a medical condition affecting one of the vital organs of the body, the heart. The condition is described as global because it affects every part of the heart including the arteries, ventricles, and tissue membranes.

It causes the heart to get weak leading to a variety of symptoms that can be felt all over the body. Global hypokinesis is a serious condition and by all means, should not be taken for granted. It usually results in heart failure and could eventually lead to a congestive heart failure. ^{(1, 2, 3)}

Image 1: The anatomical presentation of the human heart.
Picture Source: edc2.healthtap.com

Picture 2: A comparison imaging study of healthy left ventricle and poor left ventricle.
Photo Source: i.ytimg.com

Global hypokinesis symptoms

• Fluid retention – A weak heart cannot thoroughly and efficiently pump blood leading to a decreased blood flow to the kidneys. This leads to fluid retention problems such as bloating, edema, weight gain, and the need to pass urine frequently at night.
• Rapid heartbeat – The heart beats faster in an attempt to supply sufficient blood to the different parts of the body.
• Pulmonary congestion – The fluid goes back up in the lungs causing pulmonary-related issues such as a dry cough, presence of wheezing sound, and a feeling of running out of breath when performing simple physical activities.
• Generalized body weakness – Different parts of the body are not supplied with sufficient amount of blood leading to generalized body weakness, fatigue, lethargy, and dizziness. ^{(3, 4, 5, 6)}

Photo 3: A comparison image of a healthy heart and a heart with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Image Source: edc2.healthtap.com

Image 4: A sudden chest tightness should not be ignored as it can be a warning sign of a heart disease which could eventually lead to global hypokinesis.
Picture Source: medmum.com

What are the causes of global hypokinesis?

• Coronary artery disease – A heart disease that affects the arteries, specifically the one that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart. It is caused by a blockage in the artery or narrowing of the artery causing the heart to not receive all the essential nutrients it needs to function normally.
• Cardiomyopathy – Damage to the heart secondary to conditions not related to insufficient blood supply such as an illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, and/or underlying medical conditions.
• Cardiac system overload – If the patient is suffering from a multitude of medical conditions, especially the severe ones, there is a tendency that the heart becomes weak secondary to overloaded work. Examples are kidney-related diseases, congenital heart defects, valve-related diseases, thyroid diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus.
• Previous cardiac arrest – A previous heart attack increases the chances of having global hypokinesis. Someone who has had a heart attack has a weak heart secondary to the damage to the heart structures.
• Genetics – Those who have a family history of a heart-related disease might also have global hypokinesis, especially if the person has sedentary lifestyle such as excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages, chronic tobacco smoking, illegal drug use, unhealthy eating habits, and the likes. ^{(3, 4, 6, 7)}

Global hypokinesis treatment

Is global hypokinesis curable? It is curable but the success rate depends on the severity of the patient’s condition. There is no single treatment approach. The patient should receive a holistic approach which includes careful monitoring, use of prescription medication, surgical procedures when deemed necessary and lifestyle modification.

Take a look at the following treatment approach based on the severity of the patient’s condition.

#1 – Mild global hypokinesis as well as those patients susceptible to having a heart failure

• Lifestyle modification such as quitting smoking, not taking any types and forms of illegal drugs, moderate alcohol use, and regular exercise.
• Prescription drugs such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. ^{(5, 6, 7)}

#2 – Patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction without prior heart failure symptoms and patients with heart-related conditions (valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and previous heart attack).

• Lifestyle modification.
• Use of prescription drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
• Use of prescription aldosterone inhibitor drugs.
• Surgical repair and replacement of damaged parts of the heart such as the artery and/or valve.

#3 – Patients with systolic heart failure with relevant symptoms like restlessness, breathlessness, and fatigue.

• Lifestyle modification.
• Use of prescription drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
• Use of prescription aldosterone inhibitor drugs.
• For chronic symptoms, digoxin and diuretics are prescribed.
• ICD use and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy such as placing the pacemaker.
• Restrict the intake of sodium and fluid.
• Strict weight monitoring. ^{(7, 8, 9)}

#4 – Patients with systolic heart failure and advanced persistent symptoms even after medical care

• Lifestyle modification.
• Use of prescription drugs such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
• Use of prescription aldosterone inhibitor drugs.
• For chronic symptoms, digoxin and diuretics are prescribed.
• ICD use and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy such as placing the pacemaker.
• Restrict the intake of sodium and fluid.
• Strict weight monitoring.
• Use of ventricular assist devices when needed.
• Intravenous inotropic drug administration.
• Heart transplant when necessary.
• Palliative/hospice care. ^{(6, 9, 10)}

What can you do to prevent global hypokinesis?

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Do not do things that can be extremely harmful to your health such as chronic smoking of tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, and illegal drug use.
• Keep your body fit and healthy by engaging in regular exercises.
• Keep your lipid profile to a healthy level. Make sure that your blood pressure is within the normal range. Limit the intake of bad cholesterol and increase the intake of healthy and nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, you need to take active measures to lose some weight.
• If you have an existing medical condition that can trigger global hypokinesis, then you need to make it a point to manage it. Examples are diabetes, thyroid-related disease, and hypertension.
• If you have a family history of a heart-related disease, then the more you need to be extra careful with your health. ^{(1, 4, 9, 10)}

References:

1. http://medicaltreasure.com/global-hypokinesis/
2. https://doctordecides.com/what-is-global-hypokinesis/
3. https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/mild-global-hypokinesis/show/1471777
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1767210/
5. https://www.healthtap.com/topics/severe-global-hypokinesis
6. http://medmum.com/global-hypokinesis/
7. http://cds.ismrm.org/protected/09MProceedings/files/03747.pdf
8. https://www.healthboards.com/boards/heart-disorders/913591-cardiomyopathy-global-hypokinesis.html
9. http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/forum/heart-talk/1480-global-hypokinesis
10. https://www.healthcentral.com/article/what-implication-dilated-global-hypokinesia-lv-grade-lv-diastolic-dysfunctin