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.
Understanding Heart Scans
Introduction
A heart scan (also known as a cardiac imaging test) is a medical procedure used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. It helps detect heart diseases, assess risks, and guide treatment decisions.
Types of Heart Scans
There are several types of heart scans, each serving different purposes:
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Measures the electrical activity of the heart.
- Helps detect arrhythmias, previous heart attacks, and other heart conditions.
2. Echocardiogram
- Uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart.
- Evaluates heart valve function, muscle strength, and structural abnormalities.
3. Coronary Calcium Scan (Heart CT Scan)
- Uses a low-dose CT scan to detect calcium deposits in coronary arteries.
- Helps assess the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).
4. Cardiac MRI
- Provides detailed images of the heart’s structure and function.
- Useful for diagnosing heart muscle diseases, congenital heart defects, and inflammation.
5. Nuclear Stress Test (Myocardial Perfusion Imaging)
- Involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material to observe blood flow to heart muscles during rest and exercise.
- Helps diagnose coronary artery disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
6. Coronary Angiography
- Uses a contrast dye and X-rays to visualize blockages in coronary arteries.
- Typically performed in patients with suspected severe coronary artery disease.
When is a Heart Scan Needed?
A doctor may recommend a heart scan if you have: - Chest pain or discomfort - Shortness of breath - High blood pressure - Irregular heartbeats - A family history of heart disease - Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, or obesity
Conclusion
Heart scans are powerful diagnostic tools that help detect and prevent serious heart conditions. If your doctor recommends a heart scan, it is important to discuss your options and understand which test is appropriate for you.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cardiovascular Imaging
- https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circimaging
- https://professional.heart.org/en/professional-membership/scientific-councils/cvri
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/value-creation-through-artificial-intelligence-and-cardiovascular-imaging
- https://education.heart.org/productdetails/circulation-cardiovascular-imaging-webinar-series-usefulness-advanced-non-invasive-imaging-to-guide-structural-heart-disease-intervention-learning-from-real-cases
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiac Imaging
- https://www.escardio.org/Sub-specialty-communities/European-Association-of-Cardiovascular-Imaging-(EACVI)
- https://academic.oup.com/ehjcimaging/article/16/9/919/2399830
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Scientific-Documents/Recommendations-and-position-papers
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19733789/
- https://www.escardio.org/
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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.