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 Disease (CVD) Testing
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Early detection is crucial for preventing severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes. In this lecture, we will cover the main tests used to diagnose and monitor CVD.
Common Tests for CVD
1. Blood Tests
- Lipid Profile: Measures cholesterol levels to assess the risk of atherosclerosis.
- Troponin: Detects heart muscle damage, commonly used for heart attack diagnosis.
- C-reactive Protein (CRP): Indicates inflammation, which is associated with heart disease risk.
- Blood Glucose & HbA1c: Evaluates diabetes status, which is a major risk factor for CVD.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
- Records the heart's electrical activity.
- Helps identify arrhythmias, ischemia, and past heart attacks.
3. Echocardiogram
- Uses ultrasound to visualize heart structure and function.
- Assesses heart muscle performance, valve diseases, and congenital abnormalities.
4. Exercise Stress Test
- Measures heart function under physical exertion.
- Detects ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle).
5. Cardiac CT and Coronary Calcium Score
- Detects calcium deposits in coronary arteries, assessing atherosclerosis risk.
- Used for early detection in asymptomatic patients at risk.
6. Cardiac MRI
- Provides detailed imaging of heart structures and tissues.
- Useful for diagnosing cardiomyopathies and myocardial inflammation.
7. Coronary Angiography (Cardiac Catheterization)
- Involves the injection of contrast dye into coronary arteries to visualize blockages.
- Recommended for patients with suspected severe coronary artery disease.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis through appropriate testing is essential in managing cardiovascular disease effectively. Your doctor will recommend tests based on your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000677
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/leading-cardiologists-reveal-new-heart-disease-risk-calculator
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
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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.