Monthly Archives: November 2016

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All You Need to Know About Heart Failure

All You Need to Know About Heart Failure

Heart Failure

Deaths in India due to heart failure do not have a surveillance program to check prevalence. However, it is estimated that around a million people die each year due to this condition. Heart failure occurs when the heart’s muscles fail to pump blood efficiently. There are a number of conditions including narrowed heart arteries and high blood pressure that can affect the heart, leaving it too weak to pump blood as well as it should.

The conditions that can lead to subsequent heart failure are not all reversible, but it is possible to treat the symptoms that can in turn help you live longer. Certain lifestyle changes can also play a major role in treating the symptoms of heart failure.

One of the ways that can be employed to prevent imminent heart failure is to control the conditions that might lead up to it.

The Symptoms

Heart failure is a condition that may be chronic, or it may be acute. The various symptoms of heart failure may include:

  • Shortness of breath following any exertion or while lying down
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Swelling in legs, ankles and feet
  • Persistent cough or wheezing
  • Reduced stamina or ability to exercise
  • Increased urination
  • White or pink blood-tinged phlegm
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Nausea
  • Lack of appetite
  • Chest pain (if the heart failure is caused by heart attack)
  • Decrease in alertness

The above mentioned symptoms can be a sign of heart failure, or they could signify some other condition as well. In such scenarios, let the specialists diagnose and analyze. For instance, if you are in the Pink City, then it is always better to consult Jaipur best heart failure specialists instead of trying to diagnose the condition all by yourself.

Risk Factors

There are a number of factors that act as risk factors for heart failure. A single factor is also enough to trigger heart failure. These include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Diabetes
  • Certain diabetes medications
  • Heart attack
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Medications
  • Sleep apnea
  • Viruses
  • Alcohol use
  • Tobacco use
  • Obesity

Diagnosis

For diagnosing heart failure, the doctor takes into account your symptoms, medical history, risk factors and a physical examination. After these, the following tests may be ordered:

  • Blood tests (including kidney, liver and thyroid function)
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Chest X-ray
  • Stress test
  • Echocardiogram
  • Coronary angiogram
  • Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Myocardial biopsy

Treatment

Once the condition has been diagnosed, the doctor will take into consideration the many factors that may affect the patient. Based on these, the patient can be prescribed different medications or even surgical procedures. The most renowned heart failure specialists will tell you that changes in lifestyle like reducing the salt intake, increasing exercises, etc. can go a long way in treating the symptoms of heart failure.

Everything You Need to Know About Balloon Valvuloplasty

Everything You Need to Know About Balloon Valvuloplasty

Balloon Valvuloplasty

The procedure undertaken to widen the narrowed heart valve by bringing a balloon catheter in use is known as balloon valvuloplasty. It is practiced in cases of aortic stenosis wherein the exit of the left ventricle of the heart, right where the aorta begins, gets narrowed. Aortic stenosis may result in acute chest pain, loss of consciousness, and heart failure as it tends to worsen overtime. Balloon valvuloplasty helps in improving the blood flow by widening the valve opening.

When is it Needed?

Since not all kinds of stiffening of the heart valves can be treated with a balloon valvuloplasty and not all people can be recommended to go for it, it is essential to learn as to when such a procedure can be needed.

  • Adults and children with a narrowed heart valve are the ones who are given a balloon valvuloplasty with a goal to improve the function of the valves and allow efficient flow of blood through them.
  • Our hearts have four valves – aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid. The systematic opening and closing of these valves regulate blood flow which is efficient for the proper functioning of the heart.
  • Generally a balloon valvuloplasty is used for the treatment of the blockages of aortic, pulmonary and mitral valves.
  • Stenosis of the valves can both be acquired or congenital. The younger people generally suffer from a valve blockage that is congenital while the older ones tend to most commonly have acquired as the cause.

What to Expect?

Procedure – A valvuloplasty procedure involves the insertion of a small balloon catheter into the blood vessel through the skin in the groin region and is advanced to the narrowed heart valve. Once the catheter has been successfully installed, it is inflated to remove the valve blockage.

Under the supervision of the best balloon valvuloplasty doctors in Jaipur Heart and Multispecialty Centre, the procedure may last four to five hours and includes the attachment of IV drips to the patient, monitoring of vital signs and delivery of local anesthesia to numb the pain of insertion of the catheter. Professional physicians take care that the patient is well relaxed for the procedure and may even provide oral sedatives depending on the patient’s condition.

Once the procedure is completed, the vital signs are again monitored and the patient is allowed bed rest the duration of which may be extended by the doctor depending upon the patient’s condition. The highly trained professionals at Jaipur Heart and Multispecialty Centre are known to provide the best and safest treatment and healthcare along with guiding their patients about how to take best care of themselves at home to ensure quick and easy recovery. The patient may also be advised to pay regular health visits to the doctors if the need arises.

Here’s What You Should Know About Coronary Angiography

Here’s What You Should Know About Coronary Angiography

Angiography

If you have signs or symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD), then your doctor may recommend you a coronary angiography (X-ray of the heart). If you are living in Jaipur and want to get an angiography done, you must take a note of consulting the best coronary angiography doctors in Jaipur.

What is Coronary Angiography?

Coronary angiography is a special X-ray test that is done to find out your heart’s health. Angiography helps create a picture of the heart to know if your coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, where and by how much. This helps the doctor plan the course of the required treatment, such as angioplasty, bypass surgery or medical therapy.

What Happens During Coronary Angiography?

Angiography uses a special dye and camera to take pictures of the blood flow in an artery or a vein. You will be given a mild sedative before the start of the test. The procedure generally lasts for 30 to 60 minutes.The procedure isn’t painful and all that you may feel is a slight warm sensation or a mild burning sensation, as the contrast agent travels through your blood vessels.

What Happens After the Procedure?

Post the test, you’ll be asked to lie still for a few hours, to prevent any bleeding at the incision site. Most people are able to leave hospital on the same day as the procedure

Results of Angiography

During the X-ray test, the camera (fluoroscopy) takes pictures of the blood flow in an artery. The results can be either normal or abnormal based upon your heart’s condition. Your doctor may share the results with you right after the test.

When it is health of your heart that is in question, it is never advisable to take chances. Consult the best coronary angiography doctors in Jaipur at Jaipur Heart and Multispeciality Centre, a state-of- the-art center specially designed and equipped to render specialized pathological procedures to patients. In collaboration with high-caliber radiologists, latest equipment and reputed doctors, we provide accurate interpretations with utmost precision and care.

All You Need to Know about Getting a Pacemaker

All You Need to Know about Getting a Pacemaker

Pacemaker

If a person’s heart is healthy, it acts as a pacemaker itself, regulating the heartbeats. But a number of times, people need some assistance to help maintain a regular heartbeat. That is where a pacemaker comes in. It is actually a small device that is placed under a patient’s skin. The device detects irregularities in the heartbeat and sends electrical impulses to correct that.

Types of Pacemakers

Your doctor will decide what kind of pacemaker you require, based on the condition of your heart. There are three types of pacemakers:

  • Single chamber pacemaker: Sends impulses to the right ventricle.
  • Dual chamber pacemaker: Sends impulses to the right ventricle as well as atrium.
  • Biventricular pacemaker: Stimulates both ventricles.

Problems Treated

A pacemaker can help a patient deal with a number of issues like:

  • Arrhythmia
  • Hearts damaged by aging or heart disease
  • After atrial fibrillation has been performed to treat arrhythmias
  • You are on heart medication (like beta blockers)
  • Fainting spells
  • Heart muscle problems
  • Long QT syndrome

How is it Implanted?

There are two main ways in which a pacemaker is implanted. Your doctor will be able to decide which method is best for you.

  • Endocardial approach: This procedure requires local anesthesia, the incision is in the chest and the leads are guided to the heart through a vein. The pulse generator is placed in the upper chest.
  • Epicardial approach: This procedure requires general anesthesia, and the pulse generator is placed in the abdomen.

After the Procedure

Patients may be required to stay at the center overnight after the implantation. You will be shown how to care of the wound. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you will need to contact your doctor immediately:

  • Increased drainage, bleeding, or oozing from operation site
  • Incision’s opening increases
  • Redness at site
  • Warmth at site
  • Fever or chills

At Jaipur Heart & Multispeciality Centre, we have some of the best pacemaker specialists in Jaipur who will guide you through the entire procedure and make sure that you are well informed about the risks, recovery, and what to expect from the surgery. You will also be given an ID card that will list all details of your pacemaker and the surgeon who performed the procedure. You must carry this card always, in case you need medical services at some other hospital.

The Way Ahead – Taking Care of Your Heart

The Way Ahead – Taking Care of Your Heart

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a procedure that can save a person’s life by putting off signs of damage in the arteries. It can relieve obstructions in blood flow or from the heart and can also be used to treat acute coronary syndrome (ACS), such as heart attack or unstable angina. However, it’s a treatment that prevents symptoms and is not a permanent fix. Therefore, recovery from this procedure normally is a beginning of a new change in a person’s lifestyle, mainly exercise as emphasized by the doctors.

Why Staying Healthy Matters So Much After the Treatment?

It is always suggested to start developing a new heart-healthy lifestyle immediately after angioplasty and the top angioplasty doctors at the Jaipur Heart & MultiSpeciality Centre recommend the same, and are more than persistent about their patients following a healthy routine. This includes having a healthy diet, taking prescribed medication devotedly, not smoking and of course, exercising regularly. While patients may have fears about exercising after the angioplasty treatment, taking a little extra care of your general health helps yield long-term results.

Things to know about Cardiac Rehabilitation

  • The hospital may have its own cardiac rehabilitation program or your doctor can help refer you to one around your area.
  • You’ll be given a personalized physical activity program for a specific amount of time, depending on your needs.
  • Training often starts in a group setting, and you may work with a physical therapist or other health care professional. You’ll gradually build up to more intense aerobic activity.
  • A dietitian will require creating a healthy eating plan for you.
  • The program also includes counseling, advice and education to help you understand and get tips on practicing healthy habits and manage your heart condition.

Exercise Tips for a Healthier Heart

In case your condition allows, the doctor may give you the consent to exercise on your own. Jaipur Heart & MultiSpeciality Centre has some of the top angioplasty doctors in Jaipur who recommend a number of exercises that you can do such as aerobics, walking, cycling, jogging and swimming. However, remember to follow these tips for staying safe while you make your heart fit:

  • Start slow and increase your activity level only gradually day after day.
  • Take 5 minutes for warming up, especially before aerobic activities.
  • Exercise only after waiting for at least 90 minutes after a meal.
  • Stay hydrated at all times.
  • Take another 5 minutes after the activity to cool down.
  • At any point, if you feel fatigued or short of breath, stop exercising and see your doctor for an evaluation.