How do cardiac cells communicate?
The research found the heart is regulated not only by nervous systems but also by heart cells sending messages to each other through the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
What are the mechanisms or key problems that occur in heart failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs (congest) and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to appear blue (cyanotic).
What is cardiomyocyte hypertrophy?
Cardiac hypertrophy is the abnormal enlargement, or thickening, of the heart muscle, resulting from increases in cardiomyocyte size and changes in other heart muscle components, such as extracellular matrix.
What is the difference between heart failure and myocardial infarction?
Heart attack and heart failure are two conditions that share many of the same risk factors and underlying health conditions. A heart attack is when blood flow is partially or completely cut off to a part of the heart. Heart failure is when the heart cannot effectively pump enough blood to the various parts of the body.
How do cardiac cells achieve coordinated communication?
Cardiomyocytes are capable of coordinated contraction, controlled through the gap junctions of intercalated discs. The gap junctions spread action potentials to support the synchronized contraction of the myocardium.
How do the Fibrocyte and the cardiomyocyte communicate with each other?
Cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts can communicate indirectly and directly via (i) paracrine mediators, (ii) ECM interactions, (iii) electrical modulators, (iv) mechanical junctions, and (v) membrane nanotubes with downstream effects on cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and arrhythmias (Figure 1).
What are compensatory mechanisms?
a cognitive process that is used to offset a cognitive weakness. For example, someone who is weaker in spatial abilities than in verbal abilities might use compensatory mechanisms to attempt to solve spatial problems, such as mentally rotating a geometric figure by using verbal processes.
Why does hypertrophy lead to cardiac failure?
The thickened heart wall loses elasticity, leading to increased pressure to allow the heart to fill its pumping chamber to send blood to the rest of the body. Eventually, the heart may fail to pump with as much force as needed.
What causes hypertrophy in heart failure?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually caused by abnormal genes (gene mutations) that cause the heart muscle to grow abnormally thick. In most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the muscular wall (septum) between the two bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles) becomes thicker than normal.