Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Disease

Heart disease is a chronic condition that kills one person every 40 seconds. Treatments involve invasive surgical procedures. Now patients have an alternative to surgery that is showing promising results. 

What is cardiomyopathy?(heart failure)

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. In heart failure, the muscle that pumps the blood through the atria and ventricles becomes weak. This results in less blood being pumped out of the ventricles and a buildup of fluid in the lungs and extremities. 

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

The most common symptoms include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue and edema. If the blood is not pumped out of the heart efficiently, fluid accumulates in the lungs and extremities. Heart failure patients have a difficult time breathing and may have a chronic cough when lying down at night. In severe heart failure they must sleep in a reclining chair or bed. High blood pressure and water retention, especially in the ankles is very common. Due to the lack of blood flow out of the heart, patients may suffer from low oxygen levels and become easily fatigued.

Treatments for Heart Failure

Conventional treatments center around controlling symptoms. The most commonly prescribed medications include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics. Unfortunately, the goal is to manage the symptoms and not to reverse the disease process. Fortunately that’s where stem cells come in.

How do Stem Cells affect the heart?

Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into different cell lines, including muscle cells. Stem cells respond to paracrine signalling which draws them to the area of disease. Once they arrive, they go to work in facilitating healing and the replacement of diseased cells with healthy vibrant cells. At a tissue level, this means a stronger heart muscle.

What results can I expect?

As with any medication or treatment, results vary from patient to patient. Age, general health, and other medical conditions affect the outcome of any treatment. Clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells show promising results and have been shown to be safe. Significant measurable outcomes include increased ejection fraction of the left ventricle and angiogenesis (creation of more vessels). An improved ejection fraction means more blood being pumped through the heart. This results in less fluid in the lungs, improved respiratory function, more stamina and less edema. Stem cells offer patients with chronic heart failure a higher quality of life and a longer life. Along with the stem cell Infusion we encourage and guide our patients on diet and exercise.

How do I get started?

For a complimentary consultation to see if you qualify for a stem cell treatment fill out our online form or call 480-334-8278