What does detecting diastolic dysfunction indicate in echocardiography?

Detecting diastolic dysfunction in echocardiography indicates impaired filling of the heart. Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood during the diastolic phase is compromised. This can result from various conditions, such as high blood pressure or hypertrophy of the heart muscle, which can lead to stiffness in the ventricular walls. In this state, the left ventricle may struggle to fill adequately, leading to elevated pressures in the heart and potentially causing symptoms of heart failure. Understanding diastolic dysfunction is crucial for assessing heart performance, as it can significantly impact overall cardiac output and patient health even when systolic function might appear normal.