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Heart Ultrasound as invaluable help to cardiologist
Ultrasound is the best non-invasive and harmless way when we want to assess the state of cardiac muscle, contractility, heart size, and condition of heart valve. The method uses ultrasound beam to display cardiac structures. Cardiac catheter is used on the front chest wall, and because of that, the method is also called Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) of the heart. As noted, the method is non-invasive and completely painless. Latest ultrasound devices using color Doppler technique accurately determine state of heart valves, blood flow speed, and provide final examination assessment. Examination can discover many acquired or inherited conditions. It is also possible to detect congenital heart anomalies, evaluate "noise" of the heart, and assessment of inflammatory heart diseases (Myocarditis), state of cardiac tissue and many other necessary and functional anatomical details. That is why this method is widely recommended as a good and safe one, even for screening of healthy individuals. Angina pectoris Almost everyone has felt discomfort and pain in chest or tightness behind the sternum sometimes. The most frequently asked question is whether symptoms are dangerous or temporary and insignificant. Angina pectoris is a hearth condition when blood vessels, due to narrowing (stenosis) are not able to deliver enough oxygen to heart muscle. Such pain would be described as broadband chest pain that is typically spread in left arm and shoulder, or both shoulders. Duration of pain could be a few seconds, a few minutes or even longer. In such conditions, you should seek assistance as soon as possible, and it is recommended to take nitroglycerin under the tongue and contact your doctor immediately. Diagnosis and prognosis of angina pectoris, or cardiac arrest are time sensitive. That is why the sooner we discover disease, the better. Problems in diagnosis are atypical manifestations of chest pain in patients with diabetes. Sometimes, they do not have chest pain, but more like a sense of tightness, pressure or "dumplings" in the throat. Anyway, diagnosis is based on examination that requires ECG, ultrasound of the heart, and if necessary, certain blood tests. Based on valuable data from these tests, we can assess degree of damage to the heart muscle.
Exercise stress test - ergonometric test Written by MD specialist Nemanja Djenic, cardiologist
Any kind of chest pain requires a thorough cardiac evaluation. Exercise stress testing is one of the basic tests for assessment of, so called, coronary reserve. This test serves to increase requirements for getting adequate amounts of blood through heart blood vessels into the heart muscle. Patient has been tested by a qualified physician, continuously monitoring ECG, clinical condition and blood pressure values. Based on recommendations, test is performed on a treadmill according to the predetermined protocol. One of the most common is Bruce’s protocol, and it consists of four stages of progressive and dosed loads. The goal is to achieve certain heart rate, and it has to be determined for each patient individually. Once we reach the target heart rate, the test is interpreted as normal, so indirect conclusion would be that the blood vessels are clean, not causing pain in the chest. Test may be interpreted as positive, if patient has chest pain during the test, some changes in ECG, or heart rhythm disorder. In that case it is necessary to initiate therapy and planning a treatment. Assessment of the fitness condition, and lung function test can be supplemented with module for Spirometry, as needed, and simultaneously assess function of lungs and heart. Such tests are generally for people who are engaged in sports or intense physical activity.
24 hour ECG Holter, and 24h blood pressure Holter
Examinations and diagnosis performed by:
Prof.Dr Vjekoslav Orozovic Prof.Dr Branko Gligic Dr Nemanja Djenic |
