Hello @harmonybentley and welcome to Mayo Connect,

I am glad that you mentioned this topic. Yes, stiff heart, is a rather unusual term. It can also be known as diastolic dysfunction. This is something that I have as well. There are different reasons for it. In my case, it is related to valvular disease (aortic valve). Here is link from Mayo's website about this, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-valve-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353727.

Here is some information from the American Heart Association about the term, stiff heart, https://www.heart.org/en/search?searchText=Stiff+heart

While stiff heart does sound like a very ominous disorder, it's not all that bad. It depends a lot on your ejection fraction (EF). You can find out what your EF is by looking at your echocardiogram report. While I've had diastolic dysfunction for well over 20 years, my EF is still high so I don't have any serious symptoms like edema (swelling) in the extremities. I do, however, get very tired after exercise.

There are great meds to help the heart function better when it is stiff and not pumping the way it should. ACE Inhibitors are very good, I take one a day. Also, beta blockers are good as they keep the heart rate from getting too high. I take one of those as well.

@harmonybentley, How long ago were you diagnosed with "stiff heart"? What type of heart-related symptoms do you have, i.e, shortness of breath, swelling of hands, feet, pain, fatigue when you exercise, etc.? Are you taking any meds now?

Jump to this post