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Lifesaving Heart Tests You Should Know About

Lifesaving Heart Tests You Should Know About

Preventive Checkup

A large portion of the Indian population suffers from cardiovascular diseases, or runs the risk of doing so in the near future. Many people generally choose to ignore symptoms like a small pain in the heart or breathlessness. But when it comes to heart, both precision as well as caution is required; even the most seemingly small symptoms can be associated to major ailments.

Mentioned below are some of medical checkups related to heart that can actually be life-saving if taken in time. Read closely:

Cardiac Calcium Scoring

Also known as a heart scan, this preventive heart checkup is a carried out to detect the presence of calcified plaques in the arteries of your heart. These plaques are a warning sign of coronary artery disease which in turn are major causes of heart attack. Since calcified plaques can occur even 10 years before the actual heart attack, taking this test can help your doctor understand the signs and symptoms, and remedy the ailment.

High-Sensitivity C – Reactive Protein Test

As per the American Heart Association, hs-CRP tests are taken by people with an immediate risk of heart attack in 10 years. High levels of hs-CRP in the blood of an individual could signify narrowing of coronary arteries.

A CRP test can be prescribed to you inorder to check for inflammation. Inflammation could indicate infections, rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases, chronic inflammatory disease and so on.

Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness Test

Also known as the Intima-media thickness, this test tracks atherosclerotic ailments. This means it detects arrest, progression or the regression of atherosclerosis. The thicknesses of the two innermost layers of the wallsof the artery, namely the tunica intima and the tunica media,are measured by this. For the measurement anything from an external ultrasound, invasive ultrasound catheter to imaging modalities can be used.

Stress Echocardiography

Mostly used to detect a decrease in the flow of blood to the heart, resulting from narrowing of coronary arteries, this test is also used to see if the heart muscles are working well in pumping blood to the heart. Using the stress echocardiography in addition to the standard stress test increases the accuracy in women upto 85%. It also helps understand if the condition of the patient’s heart disease is severe enough to require a bypass or stent treatment.

Understanding ECG

Understanding ECG

ECG

ECG stands for electrocardiogram, or a machine meant to examine the electrical activities of the heart. Also known as ECG, the machine,during the test, presents the electrical activity of the heart in the form of waves much like line tracings on the paper. The tracings comprise of dips and spikes together called waves.

When Would You Need an ECG Test?

As seen in the best ECG checkup facilities in Rajasthan, an Electrocardiogram can be utilized to check the size and position of the chambers of your heart, the rhythm of your heart and whether it is normal, any damage to the heart or the effects of drugs or devices, such as a pacemaker, that are used to control the heart.

There can be many reasons because of which an individual may be suggested to take an ECG test, some of which are –

  • To detect the reasons behind unexplained pressure or chest pains.
  • To discover the causes behind various symptoms related to heart diseases.
  • To detect if the walls of the chambers of the heart have thickened.
  • To find out the effectiveness of medications, also side effects if any.
  • To check the efficiency of the devices attached to the heart.
  • To examine the state of the heart when a patient is ridden with ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, high levels of cholesterol and so on

An ECG test can also be advised to patients before a surgery or when they have a family history of heart diseases.

What Does it Entail?

An ECG instrument, also known as EKG, is a portable machine which is why the test can be taken anywhere, be it in your doctor’s chamber or during other tests at the hospital. In this test –

  • The patient must lie on a bed or table.
  • The patient’s chest, arms and legs will be shaved.
  • Electrodes will be attached on the body, on areas like chest, arms and legs.
  • The electrodes will be attached to the machine tracing the activity of the heart
  • The doctor may ask the patient to breathe normally or hold the breath during the test.
  • The procedure may take 10-15 minutes approximately.
  • Once the test is done, the electrodes will be detached from the patient’s body.

Based on the instructions provide the top ECG checkup facilities in Rajasthan, patients must discuss their health conditions well with their doctors, prior to the test.

Preventing Heart Conditions for a Hearty Life

Preventing Heart Conditions for a Hearty Life

Heart Treatment

Unlike a common myth, heart diseases,and not cancer,are the number one reason why many people die every year, especially women.The risk of heart diseases tends to increase with an increasing age, andpeople who have a family history of heart diseases at a young ageare alsomore likely to be at risk.

Fortunately, there are ways that can help us keep our heart fit and active, and reduce the chances of developing a heart disease. Moreover, the availability ofadvanced heart treatment in Jaipur and other cities have made situations less worse, increasing the possibility of cure. And while we all know that prevention is always better than cure, here are a few effective ways to help prevent heart conditions:

Quit Smoking

Smoking surges your probability of having a heart attack to twice more than a regular non-smoker. In fact, if you smoke regularly, you’re much likely to not survive if you do experience a heart attack.

Control Blood Pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressureis becoming commonthese days; inadequate exercise, unhealthy eating and insufficient sleep are the major reasons. Avoiding salt, exercising and proper diet can help, but some people may also need medicines to control their BP.

Improve Cholesterol Levels

People with a cholesterol level of over 200 are more likely to get a heart disease. For a healthy heart, individuals must haveHDL(good cholesterol) level over 40, LDL (badcholesterol) level under 160 and Triglycerides under 150. A diethavinglow cholesterol, saturated fat, and refined sugarsalong with high fibercontent can be beneficial.

Get to a Healthy Weight

Proper body weightcan help lower high BP, and alsohelps manage diabetes. People who are overweight are more likely to contract a heart disease. Therefore, being active and having the right amount of weight is important.

Manage Stress and Anger

Taking stress and getting angry once every now and then is natural human behavior. However, the problem arises when these emotions flare up, causing problems to your heart and the body. Managing your stress and handling anger in healthy ways can puts you back in charge of your own body.

Getting regular checkups and visiting the doctor as soon as you notice any unusual changes in your body is critical becauseearly detectionand heart treatment in Jaipur can help cure your condition in time. Jaipur Heart and Multispecialty Centre offer advance treatments for all heart conditions, and provide solutions for leading a healthy life.

5 Daily Habits That are Harming Your Heart!

5 Daily Habits That are Harming Your Heart!

Heart Treatment

Are you working for long hours at your office? Not getting enough sleep? And not eating healthy as well? While these daily habits might not seem that bad to you at the start, but these habits can make your heart suffer. Yes! There are many common daily habits that have become a part of our routine, and seem quite normal, but actually put you at a higher risk of developing a heart disease.

Heart disease is one of the major lifestyle diseases in the world, which also shares a huge portion of the global burden. Every person wants to have a healthy heart and lead a healthy life. But our unhealthy routine and busy schedules stop us from achieving it!

Here are the top 5 daily habits that can harm your heart: –

Sitting for Long Hours

This is one of the most common habits of a working person. If you sit for long hours at your office desk, you are increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Even if you exercise regularly, this habit can increase your risk of developing a heart disease. If you’ve a desk job, it is advised that you must take short walks, and get up at least once every hour.

Not Sleeping Well

You, your body, brain, and organs, all need rest. Your heart never stops working, doesn’t mean that it can work without any rest. If you don’t get enough sleep, your heart doesn’t get the rest it needs.

Consuming More Salt

Consuming more salt can up your sodium intake, and excessive sodium can lead to high blood pressure. Therefore, high blood pressure can in turn increase your risk of developing a heart disease.

Overconsumption of Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can directly affect your blood pressure, cause stroke, and obesity. All these three things are known to increase your risk of a heart disease.

Taking too Much Stress

Stress causes our body to release stress hormones, which results in an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure. If you keep taking too much stress in your life, then over a gradual period of time, that stress may damage blood vessels and increase your risk for heart attack.

These common habits can be hard on your heart. Make changes to your lifestyle to keep your heart healthy. In addition to maintaining heart health by following healthy habits, you also need to undergo regular checkups at the best heart hospitals in Jaipur like the Jaipur Heart and Multispecialty Centre. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and the best cardiologists, the centre offers routine checkups, treatment and heart procedures, all at economical package.

Heart Healthy Foods to Add to Your Diet

Heart Healthy Foods to Add to Your Diet

Cardiologist

Big changes start with small steps. These days, the incidences of heart failures and heart conditions in younger people have increased phenomenally. A lot of this can be attributed to the lifestyles followed. Small changes in your routine however, can help make a big difference to your heart health and life.

Adding a few heart healthy foods to your diet are not just good for your heart, but also for your waistline. In fact, if you add certain foods to your daily intake, you can significantly lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Competent cardiologists in Jaipur can tell you that a whole foods diet can benefit you a lot in the long run. Such a diet would include a number of healthy foods that are good for your heart, like whole grains, fish, fruits, and vegetables. And to reward yourself, you could even have a glass of red wine or some dark chocolate. Here’s a list of some healthy foods that you can swap into your diet:

Snacks

Whenever you wish to snack between meals, remember these tips to make a healthy difference to your diet:

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  • Healthy nuts like walnuts or almonds are good for the heart and will also satisfy your hunger.
  • Spinach has a lot of benefits, so switch the lettuce in your salads and sandwiches for some spinach.
  • Fruits that are rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and beta-carotene, like papaya, cantaloupes and oranges also make good snacks.
  • Fresh broccoli, dipped in hummus, is also an amazing healthy and delicious snack and is rich in a lot of nutrients like fiber, calcium, folate,potassium,vitamins C and E, etc.

Breakfast

Some days, a switch in your breakfast habits can help you begin the day in a healthier manner. Here are a few of the good options:

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  • Berries are full of hearthealthy phytonutrients and fiber. Try addingraspberries, cranberries, strawberries, orblueberries to your cereal or yogurt in the morning.
  • Flaxseeds have omega-3 fatty acids and fiber that help boost heart health.
  • Oatmeal has always been a nutrient powerhouse, as well as a great comfort food.

Meals

The main part comes in when we talk about the main meals like lunch and dinner. Just because you want to eat healthy, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on taste. There are a lot of flavorful and healthy recipes available online. Here’s what you should be eating: –

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  • Fish that is high in omega-3s, like tuna, salmon, mackerel, trout,andherring.
  • Dark beans are high in B-vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
  • Vegetables that are yellow, red, or orange, like carrots, red peppers, and sweet potatoes, are full of vitamins, carotenoids, and fiber. This includes tomatoes, even if it is counted as a fruit.

Rewards

A good diet regime deserves rewards time and again:

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  • A glass of red wine (4 ounce) per day can help improve the HDL levels in your blood
  • Dark chocolate is also rather good for the heart, as long as it has at least 70% cocoa

Your heart health is in your hands and only you can take the steps towards a healthy heart. Minor changes in diet and physical activities can make big difference in your overall well-being.

Things to Know About a Holter Monitor Test

Things to Know About a Holter Monitor Test

Holter Monitoring

Regular attempts are being made at making improvements in medical practices and the use of technology for curing ailments. Although the traditional method of checkups and tests make for quiet an aid, yet there are times when they fail to be of use.

Similarly, when a traditional test of the heart rhythm like an ECG fails to give expected results, a Holter monitor test is recommended. A Holter monitor test is generally suggested when a patient is suspected of having irregular heartbeats. A Holter monitor is a small device that is worn by the patient to keep a track of the heart rhythms. Gaining quick popularity through the use of both standard and wireless Holter devices, a Holter monitor test, whether in Bani Park, Jaipur or some other place, is carried out under the guidance of specialized and experienced doctors.

Reasons for Taking the Test

While a wide number of heart diseases exist, a Holter monitor test is advised to a patient with unexplained fainting or showing symptoms of irregular heartbeat. It may also be suggested to patients who are suspected of suffering from arrhythmia in the future.

What to Expect?

A Holter monitor test includes the following steps:

  • Placement of the heartbeat sensing device on the chest of the patient
  • Attachment of the electrodes to a recording device for the purpose of recording the data transmitted from the electrodes
  • Maintenance of a note of all the activities done by the patient, the entire time the device was worn

Things to Take Care of When the Device is ON

  • The monitor must not be removed by the patients for bathing as the device must not get wet.
  • The monitor must not be taken off anytime, and must be on even when sleeping.
  • Any pain in the chest, breathlessness, rising or falling heartbeat must be noted in the diary.

Undertaking a Holter Monitor test is nothing to be afraid about; it just depends on the nature of your heart’s condition, and is utilized to make an accurate diagnosis.

Introduction to Heart Failure

Introduction to Heart Failure

Heart Failure

Demographics suggest that a vast multitude of people in India are either suffering from, or are prone to cardiovascular diseases. As you might know, an ailment like heart failure is fatal. However, it is not that there is no way out. With proper care and treatment, patients can not only prevent heart failure conditions from worsening, but also live a healthier life.

Here are a few things about heart failure that everyone must know:

What is Heart Failure?

Heart failure, also recognized as congestive heart failure, is a condition of the heart where the heart fails to pump blood that is required to maintain the flow of blood needed by the body. This may be the case when either the structure or the functioning of the heart is changed. Some of the reasons behind the occurrence of this condition are – high blood pressure, infection, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and so on. Delay can be detrimental when it comes to heart failure treatment, regardless of whether it is in Jaipur or somewhere else.

Signs and Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, swelling of legs or feet, excessive tiredness, swollen abdomen, lack of appetite or nausea etc. The symptoms of heart failure are common to some other ailments including anemia, obesity, liver problem or kidney failure.

Tests and Diagnosis

Since a large number of people fall prey to heart issues every year, it is important that individuals above the age of 30 opt for tests.

Some of the methods undertaken for the diagnosis of heart failure issues are:

  • Blood Tests – Blood tests are carried out to look for issues with liver, kidney, thyroid etc. that may affect the heart or cause heart failure.
  • Electrocardiogram – This tests the electrical activities of the heart by using electrodes to detect issues with the heart rhythm.
  • Echocardiogram – Used specifically for detecting heart failure, this test uses waves to help doctors see the size and functioning of the heart, differentiate between the systolic and diastolic heart failures, detect previous heart attack evidences etc.
  • Coronary Angiogram – This test is used to identify the narrowing of heart vessels that can lead to heart failures. It involves the inclusion of a catheter into blood vessel.

These tests mentioned above mark the first step towards the treatment of heart failure. If you are looking for heart tests in Jaipur, consulting the experts at the Jaipur Heart and Multispeciality Centre is one of the best ways to go about it.

Annual Heart Checkups That You Should Get Done

Annual Heart Checkups That You Should Get Done

Heart Treatment

If you own a car, you know how important regular servicing is for the well-being of the car. A regular fine-tuning, an oil change, and checking for any issues that might have surfaced are what keep a car running well, for a long time. It is not much different with your heart. Many times, heart issues progress without anyone even knowing about them. This is why it is very important to go for an annual heart checkup, to ensure that everything is in good condition. Here are the main tests that you need to get done at least once a year:

ECG

An electrocardiogram or an ECG test is a test where electrodes are taped to your chest to record the electrical signals of your heart. These electric signals are responsible for making your heart beat and are shown as waves on an attached monitor or computer. For those who live in Bani Park, Jaipur, prefer to have an ECG test done at the Jaipur Heart and Multspeciality Centre which has a number of affordable healthcare packages available.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a test that utilizes ultrasound to produce images of the heart. With this test, a doctor is able to see the patient’s heart beat, and pumped blood. These images can then be used to identify if the patient is suffering from a heart disease. There are several types of echocardiograms, and which one a particular patient needs is decided by the doctor, depending on what information they need.

Blood Sugar Test

This test measures the amount of sugar, called glucose, in the blood. Generally, blood sugar levels increase right after eating, which triggers the pancreas to release insulin to keep the levels under control. If one’s blood sugar levels remain high for too long, it may damage their eyes, nerves, kidneys, and blood vessels. Blood sugar can also be checked at home, and should be checked more regularly, like at least once a month.

Holter Test

After a regular ECG has been done, a patient may also be asked to wear a Holter monitor, if the ECG wasn’t enough to give the doctor enough information. It is a small and wearable device that tracks the heart’s rhythm for a day or two. The information from the Holter monitor is then used by the doctor to see whether the patient has a heart rhythm problem.

There are several more tests, including the stress test or the PFT, but the above mentioned are the main tests that you should make sure are included in your routine.

Subtle Heart Attack Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

Subtle Heart Attack Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

Cardiologist

We always tend to associate chest pain with heart attacks, but it’s not really the case all the time. While chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack, people can have varied symptoms that may not even be related to chest pain at all. And with the kind morbid lifestyles we are leading these days, we need to be on the lookout for other, subtler symptoms of heart problems.

According to the best cardiologists in Jaipur, when the heart instigates to fail, symptoms may be visible throughout the body, which may often appear minor but can be severe in nature. While these symptoms can be something as trifling as fatigue or neck or back pain, they can prove hazardous for our heart’s health in the long run. Below are the most subtle symptoms that should be watched out for:

Shortness of Breath

As we age, a lack of exercise can cause issues like shortness of breath and occasional hot flashes, leading to excessive sweating. These can signal a heart problem in situations including:

  • Sudden sweating or breathlessness without exertion
  • Continuously worsening breathlessness over time
  • Shortness of breath experienced specifically when you lie down
  • Stress when you can find no real cause for it
  • Chest pain accompanied by sweating or shortness of breath

Unusual Fatigue

Most of us are probably busy most of the time, which may cause fatigue by the end of the day. However, you should pay vigilant attention when:

  • You feel suddenly worn out after your regular exercise routine
  • You have fatigue without actually exerting yourself
  • Simple activities like walking from one room to the other, making the bed, shopping etc. makes you excessively tired
  • While you do feel extremely tired, you also have trouble in sleeping

Neck, Back, Jaw pain

Pain in the jaw, the back or arms may be a signal of heart problem, especially if its origin is unrecognized. Also, if the pain increases with exertion, look out for further hints like:

  • Men can often have pain in the left arm and women may experience unexplained pain in either arm
  • Pain spreading through the chest spreads in the lower or upper back
  • The pain starting suddenly, sometimes even in sleep at the middle of the night
  • Pain specific to the lower left side of the jaw

Reports have proved that people often noticed some of these warning signs a few weeks or a month before the heart attack. The sooner the problem is reported, the better are the chances of catching the issue and treating it to avoid a heart attack. If you too experience these symptoms, consult the best cardiologists in Jaipur at the Jaipur Health and Multispecialty Clinic, as quickly as possible.

5 Steps for a Healthier Life

5 Steps for a Healthier Life

Heart Treatment

These days, much more than the old genetic and age factors, lifestyles have become a major reason behind a number of diseases. The worst part of this is the fact that lifestyle choices can be altered and one may avoid a number of lifestyle diseases.

If you are serious about trying to aim for healthier living, here are the first five changes that you need to make in your life:

Screening Tests

Heart failure is one of the most common lifestyle diseases. Stay on top of it, and make sure that you schedule yearly appointments for heart treatment. If you happen to reside in the Pink City, contact Jaipur Heart and Multispecialty Center for some of the best services in cardiac checkups and heart treatment in Bani Park, Jaipur. Other tests that you should go for, annually, include colonoscopies, physical tests, etc.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Keeping your weight in check is easier said than done. Start with realistic, short term goals. For example, in the beginning, you could concentrate on not gaining any more weight. This too will help improve your health. Later, when you are ready, you should work on shedding the extra weight.

Exercise Regularly

The more you exercise, the better it is for you. But some is also better than none. When you are supposed to exercise regularly, it does not necessarily mean you start hitting the gym and work out for hours. You need to include at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your routine, even if it’s just a walk.

Drinking and Smoking

While you will need to limit the intake of alcohol, smoking is something that would need to be completely stopped. As difficult as it might seem, it is not impossible. It will take about 5 – 6 tries before you will be able to quit, but you need to keep at it.

Eat a Healthy Diet

There is a lot of confusion regarding healthy dieting, but the basic rules are simple. Focus on veggies and fruits, keep red meat intake minimum, cut back on the fats, choose healthy facts, and make nutritious food.

Living a healthier life is not only good for your overall lifestyle, but soon it will also have you feel better and better about yourself.

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