Heart Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

Bangalore is one of the densely populated cities in India. The capital of Karnataka houses over eight million people. Most of the residents are employed in some of the city’s biggest corporations, including the thriving information technology (IT) industry that made the city known as “Silicon Valley of India.”

Because of the hectic lifestyles of those living in the city, recent reports revealed that a significant number of Bengalureans have cardiovascular diseases. Those who have these diseases only reach out to a cardiologist when their ailments are already in the advanced stage. It is a common occurrence, even if it is easy to find the best cardiology hospital in Bangalore when needed.

The risk of getting severe heart diseases increases if you fail to consult with your cardiologist whenever you see the first sign of any heart problem. Here are some of the most common signs of heart diseases and how cardiovascular specialists diagnose and treat these ailments.

Early Signs Of Heart Diseases

Most people believe that they can only acquire heart diseases when they get old or have excessive weight. Nowadays, even the younger generation and those who are always fit and active may still have an underlying heart condition.

Some of the early signs that you must watch out for include sudden and lasting chest discomfort, unexpected indigestion, nausea, or stomach pain. Other patients who are on the verge of having a heart attack feel lightheaded or dizzy. An unexplainable pain that slowly spreads to the arm, pain on the throat and jaw, and a consistent feeling of exhaustion. Some of these may be silent signs of a heart attack.

Other common symptoms include snoring, persistent cough, and swollen extremities.

How Do Doctors Diagnose A Heart Disease?

The best cardiology hospital in Bangalore is often equipped with state-of-the-art technologies used for diagnosing heart diseases. Aside from chest X-rays and blood tests, the cardiologist will ask you to get the following.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – The cardiologist will monitor your heart’s electrical signal through this painless and fast test. It will help determine unusual heart rhythms while resting or during a controlled exercise.

Echocardiogram – It is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart’s structure. It will let the doctors see how your heart pumps blood and how it beats.

Holter Monitoring – A Holter monitor is a device that works like a portable ECG. It aims to have a continuous record of your heart’s rhythm for a specified period.

Stress Test – It is the kind of test that requires you to raise your heart rate through medicine or exercise while a device is attached to your heart. It aims to check how your heart reacts during an activity.

Cardiac Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan – The laboratory technician will ask you to lie down on a table that will be sent inside a doughnut-shaped apparatus. It will collect images of your chest and heart for your cardiologist’s evaluation.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – Your cardiologist may ask you to get a cardiac MRI scan to develop detailed images of your heart’s chambers.

Cardiac catheterization – A short tube is placed into your vein or artery on the arm or leg. It will let the doctor see your blood flow to check if there are any blockages that may cause potentially fatal conditions in the future.

How To Treat Heart Diseases

Cardiologists may provide various treatments for different heart conditions. But generally, the most common types of remedies for heart diseases include:

Lifestyle Changes – Changing your lifestyle can significantly improve your heart health. You may try switching your junk food and processed food consumption to a low-sodium and low-fat diet. The doctors will also ask you to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercises per day. Most importantly, your heart health will improve by minimizing alcohol intake and quitting smoking.

Medications – If the lifestyle change is not enough to fix your condition, the doctor will prescribe medicines that could alleviate your symptoms. The prescription will depend on your condition. Prescriptions can be filled online at a pharmacy like Canada Drugs and shipped directly to you if you’re having trouble getting to a brick-and-mortar store.

Surgery or other procedures – There will be times when medications won’t be enough. If this happens, the cardiologist may recommend various procedures and surgeries that could save your life in the long run.

Prevention is definitely always better than cure, especially if you think you have problems with your heart health. So always make time to consult with your cardiologist to determine if you have any underlying condition to address before it gets worse.

Originally posted 2021-04-29 00:49:03.