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 Tests
Introduction
Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, and heart tests help doctors assess its condition and function. These tests can detect heart diseases early, prevent complications, and guide treatment plans.
Common Heart Tests
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Measures the electrical activity of your heart.
- Helps diagnose arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions.
- Non-invasive and quick.
2. Echocardiogram
- Uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart.
- Helps assess heart size, structure, and function.
- Can detect valve problems, heart failure, and congenital defects.
3. Stress Test (Exercise Test)
- Monitors heart behavior under physical stress (e.g., treadmill exercise).
- Helps diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) and assess fitness levels.
- May be done with imaging (Stress Echo or Nuclear Stress Test).
4. Holter Monitor and Event Recorder
- Continuously records heart activity over 24-48 hours (Holter) or longer (Event Recorder).
- Detects irregular heart rhythms not seen in a short ECG.
5. Cardiac MRI and CT Scan
- Provides detailed images of the heart and blood vessels.
- Useful for detecting structural abnormalities, tumors, and coronary artery disease.
6. Coronary Angiography (Cardiac Catheterization)
- Uses contrast dye and X-rays to view coronary arteries.
- Helps diagnose blockages and assess need for procedures (angioplasty, stenting).
7. Blood Tests for Heart Health
- Troponin: Detects heart muscle damage (heart attack).
- BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide): Assesses heart failure severity.
- Cholesterol and Lipid Profile: Evaluates risk for atherosclerosis.
- C-reactive protein (CRP): Measures inflammation linked to heart disease.
Conclusion
Heart tests are essential for diagnosing and managing heart diseases. If you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations, consult your doctor. Early detection can save lives!
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/39/4043/7238227
- 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.