About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular Evaluation: Understanding the Process
Introduction
Cardiovascular evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of heart and blood vessel health. It is essential for diagnosing heart diseases, assessing risk factors, and planning treatment strategies.
Why Is Cardiovascular Evaluation Important?
- Detects early signs of heart disease
- Helps in risk assessment for conditions like hypertension, coronary artery disease, or heart failure
- Guides lifestyle changes and medical treatments
- Reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes
Key Components of Cardiovascular Evaluation
1. Medical History and Physical Examination
- Family history of heart disease
- Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness
- Blood pressure measurement, pulse examination
2. Laboratory Tests
- Lipid profile (cholesterol levels)
- Blood sugar levels (for diabetes screening)
- C-reactive protein (CRP) (to assess inflammation linked to heart disease)
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
- Records the electrical activity of the heart
- Detects arrhythmias, heart attacks, or heart muscle damage
4. Echocardiogram
- Uses ultrasound waves to create heart images
- Assesses heart function and structure
5. Stress Test
- Evaluates how the heart performs during physical activity
- Can detect blood flow problems in the coronary arteries
6. Imaging Tests
- CT or MRI scans for detailed images of heart structures
- Coronary angiography for detecting narrowed or blocked arteries
Additional Considerations for Cardiovascular Risk
- Hypertension and diabetes monitoring
- Obesity and cholesterol control
- Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, smoking cessation)
- Use of medications like statins, blood pressure drugs, or aspirin where necessary
Conclusion
Regular cardiovascular evaluations are essential for heart disease prevention and management. If you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of heart disease, consult your doctor for a proper assessment.
Source recommendations
1. 2023 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Guidelines
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001168
- https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37471501/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2024/02/05/11/43/2023-ESH-Hypertension-Guideline-Update
2. 2021 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36906668/
3. 2020 American Heart Association Recommendations for Routine Cardiovascular Assessment
- https://cpr.heart.org/-/media/cpr-files/cpr-guidelines-files/highlights/hghlghts_2020_ecc_guidelines_english.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29618598/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://elearning.heart.org/course/437
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.