What are the earliest warning signs of heart disease that should never be ignored?
Answer: The earliest signs of heart disease are fairly simple and easy to catch, and may include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, pain that extends towards the limbs paired with a fast pulse (greater than 120 bpm at rest)
When should chest pain be treated as a medical emergency?
Answer: Any type of chest pain accompanied by chest tightness, jaw stiffness, pain in the arms and dizziness is considered a medical emergency and it is advised to immediately contact your nearest heart hospital for emergency care.
How can I tell whether my chest pain is due to a heart problem or acidity?
Answer: Symptoms of acidity and heart problems often have a fine line of distinction but what separates the two is the burning sensation in the lower chest or throat after eating in patients with acidity. Heart pain feels like pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest and may spread to the arms, neck, or jaw. In each case, it is important to not self diagnose and consult a doctor for similar symptoms.
Who is at the highest risk of developing heart disease?
Answer: People with underlying conditions like type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, or a history of heart disease combined with unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Heart diseases are also common in people over age 45.
Which tests are commonly recommended to diagnose heart problems?
Answer: Heart specialists usually prescribe tests and scans for diagnosis of heart disease only when necessary. Simple tests may include an ECG or EKG to check for arrhythmias, stress test to monitor heart during physical activity. Other tests include a blood workup with special emphasis on troponin, lipids that indicate level of cholesterol and extent of heart muscle damage. Depending on these results, a hearty specialist may need an Angiography to correctly ascertain heart blockage or a CT Angio to understand the heart's anatomy completely.
How is coronary artery disease diagnosed and treated?
Answer: Coronary artery disease is the blockage in the main artery that carries oxygenated blood to the body. CAD can be diagnosed using ECG, stress tests, and coronary angiograms that help a heart specialist ascertain the location and extent of blockage there is.
What is the difference between coronary angiography and coronary angioplasty?
Answer: A coronary angiography is a diagnostic test to visualize the heart's blood vessels to check for blockage whereas an angioplasty is a treatment modality wherein a stent is placed to hold the narrowed vessel open and restore blood flow. In short, an angiography is a diagnostic procedure whereas an angioplasty is a treatment procedure.
When is a heart stent recommended instead of bypass surgery?
Answer: A heart stent is generally recommended for less complex cases involving two to three blocked arteries. A stent is also more suitable because it is minimally invasive, warrants shorter hospital stay and offers quick recovery.
What are the symptoms of a blocked heart artery?
Answer: The classic symptoms of a blocked heart artery are angina, shortness of breath, radiating pain in the arms, jaw, or back, unexplained fatigue and/or dizziness. Some subtle signs may also include nausea and constant fatigue, especially in women.
What is TAVI/TAVR, and who is eligible for this minimally invasive valve replacement?
Answer: A TAVI procedure is a minimally invasive treatment option to replace a diseased aortic valve without the need for an open heart surgery. An experienced heart specialist uses a catheter to replace a diseased valve and push the old valve aside to restore blood flow. Eligibility for TAVI depends entirely on a thorough evaluation by a specialized heart specialist while taking into consideration symptoms and overall health.
How long does recovery take after angioplasty, bypass surgery, or TAVI?
Answer: While recovery times may differ from patient to patient according to their pre-existing conditions, generally speaking recovery from angioplasty takes 3-4 days, TAVI may take up to a week and a bypass surgery 6-12 weeks to recover from.
What lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke?
Answer: To reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke it is important to include healthy habits in your daily life such as exercising daily, maintaining an active lifestyle, avoiding tobacco & alcohol and eating a balanced diet. These strategies can help maintain weight, reduce cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
Can high blood pressure permanently damage the heart if left untreated?
Answer: Yes, there is a high chance that untreated high blood pressure can permanently damage heart muscle. Hypertension may force your heart to work double and harder to pump blood which may weaken the arteries, damage the heart muscle and increase the risk of life threatening heart conditions.