13. Cardiovascular Diseases: The Heart of Eosinophilia
Cardiovascular diseases can sometimes be associated with eosinophilia. This section explores how heart and blood vessel conditions can lead to an increase in eosinophil levels, the types of cardiovascular diseases involved, and their implications for health and treatment.
In certain heart conditions, such as endocarditis or myocarditis, eosinophils can accumulate in heart tissue. This infiltration is part of the immune response but can contribute to heart tissue damage and inflammation, complicating the underlying condition.
Eosinophilic myocarditis, though rare, is a notable example where eosinophils directly affect heart health. Other conditions like eosinophilic endocarditis also involve a significant eosinophilic presence. These conditions can lead to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, heart failure.
Diagnosing eosinophilia in the context of heart disease involves a combination of cardiac imaging, blood tests, and sometimes cardiac biopsy. Identifying the presence and extent of eosinophil involvement is key to effective treatment.
Treatment focuses on addressing both the heart condition and the eosinophilic response. This may involve medications like corticosteroids to reduce eosinophil levels and other treatments specific to the heart condition, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressants. (13)
