Cardiac cachexia is a type of malnutrition and muscle loss that usually occurs during the late stages of heart failure. The clinical definition is at least 5% body weight loss during the previous twelve months with at least three following criteria: decreased muscle strength, fatigue, anorexia, low fat-free mass index, increased inflammatory markers or low serum albumin.
Causes of cardiac cachexia include eating or drinking too little protein, malabsorption of nutrients, imbalance in metabolism, lack of physical activity, and certain medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, COPD, AIDS, and chronic kidney disease.
Symptoms
Cardiac cachexia symptoms include:
- Unintentional loss of 5% of body weight
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Unable to participate in normal daily activities
Tests
Blood tests
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Cardiopulmonary Stress Test
Cardiopulmonary stress test which is also called cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) evaluates how the heart and lungs function during controlled exercise.
Chest X-ray
This test uses a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Stress Tests
Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and chemically induced stress tests.
Treatments
Physicians can prescribe medications to help lower the risk of cardiac cachexia. Once this condition is diagnosed, treatments include:
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Medications, such as beta blockers, anabolic steroids, and human growth hormones
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Diet supplements, such as vitamin C and E, protein supplements, and Omega- 3 fatty acids
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Aerobic exercise
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Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) - A small pump is attached to the heart left ventricle to help the heart pump blood to the aorta and the rest of the body.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Sopagna Banh, PA
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Stephanie B Bellini Richardson, ACNP, MSN
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Jeffrey E. Cohen, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Patrick Correlli, BS, PA-C
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology & Internal Medicine
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Erika D Feller, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Shital Gandhi, MS, PA-C
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Mark Robert Hofmeyer, MD
Cardiology & Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Ahmed N Khan, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Mrinalini Krishnan, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Thomas Edward MacGillivray, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Jillian M Marianos, FNP, MSN
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Nicole M Monte-Bovi, AGACNP-BC, MSN
Cardiac Surgery
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Susan Thornton Oyola, AGACNP-BC, MSN
Cardiac Surgery
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Miguel A Pinilla Vera, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Weining David Xu, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Jonathan R. Gower, MD
Cardiac Surgery & Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.