Heart Problems in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) not only affects the skeletal muscles but also poses a significant risk to the heart. The progressive deterioration of muscle tissue in DMD extends to the heart muscles, impairing its ability to function properly. This results in an enlarged heart, which directly affects its efficiency. While medication can sometimes improve heart functioning, there are cases where a heart transplant becomes the most viable option if pharmaceutical interventions fail to yield satisfactory results.
The Difference in Symptom Severity and Progression in DMD and BMD
When diagnosing Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), medical professionals assess the severity of muscle damage and the presence of breathing and heart complications. However, there are cases where the gene mutation causing DMD manifests differently. In such instances, individuals may exhibit milder symptoms and experience a slower progression of the disease, leading to a diagnosis of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Unlike DMD, which typically presents symptoms in early childhood, BMD may not become apparent until the patient reaches their teenage years.