Diastolic dysfunction

Diastolic heart failure occurs when the lower left chamber (left ventricle) is not able to fill properly with blood during the diastolic (filling) phase. The percentage of blood pumped out (ejection fraction) often is normal.

Diastolic dysfunction most often is caused by an incomplete relaxation (stiffness) of the ventricle muscle, which may develop from untreated high blood pressure.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: August 25, 2008
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology
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