[MTC Global] 8 tests that can tell if you have heart disease

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Good morning.

About heart diseases.

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http://health.india.com/diseases-conditions/8-tests-for-heart-disease/

8 tests that can tell if you have heart disease

Shraddha Rupavate April 2, 2014 at 6:47 pm

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Heart disease does not develop overnight. It may begin to develop early in adolescence and may rapidly advance in adulthood. So if you have religiously followed a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating practices while you were young, you have an increased risk of developing heart disease after you cross your 40s or 50s. Plus, other risk factors like obesity, high BP,diabetes also contributes to raise your chances of suffering from heart problems.

Because the symptoms of heart disease are not seen, you should be aware about screening your heart function, especially if you have high cholesterol, triglycerides or high BP. Here are some tests that are regularly used for screening heart diseases.

1. Blood tests: Blood tests are a basic and the most important diagnostic test used for screening heart diseases like and heart failure coronary artery disease. Your blood contains various biomarkers that are useful for identifying factors contributing to heart disease.

• Blood glucose level: Tells you if you're a diabetic
• Lipids and triglycerides level: Tells you if you have high cholesterol
• Fribinogen level: Tells you if you are at a risk of blood clot
• C-reactive protein: Tells you if you have atherosclerosis

2. X-ray: Chest X-ray is a simple, useful imaging test for diagnosing a lot of heart conditions like congestive heart failure, enlargement of the heart and heart infections.

3. ECG: ECG or electrocardiogram is a useful test to assess heart rhythm and related heart conditions. It measures electrical activity of the heart. In this test, electrodes are attached to the patient's chest, legs and arms. These electrodes are connected at the other end to an ECG device. The signals from these electrodes are received and captured by the device and an electrocardiograph is generated. Here's why you need to have an ECG test done. 

4. Stress test: A stress test is a test that helps determine the level of strain that your heart can handle (and has nothing to to with mental stress). A simple exercise stress test can identify how well your heart functions under exertion. The test uses an ECG device to record electrical activity of the heart while exercising. So the patient is instructed to perform activities like walking on the treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle.

5. CT scan: A CT scan or a computed tomography scan uses the X-ray imaging technology to generate a three-dimensional image of the heart and the nearby arteries. A CT scan is usually suggested to detect arteries narrowed as a result of plaque deposition (in atherosclerosis).  

6. Echocardiography: Echocardiography is basically real-time imaging of the heart (similar to sonography). It makes use of high-frequency radio waves to determine aspects like the size and the structure of the heart while it performs the function of pumping blood. It is especially helpful in diagnosis of valvular heart disease, which remains silent for several years.

7. MRI: MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is another imaging test used to obtain detailed images of the heart structure. It helps to identify irregularities in the heart muscle and valves. It detects irregular or disrupted blood flow pattern, typically seen in ischemic heart disease. Coronary MRI helps to detect congenital abnormalities of coronary arteries.

8. Holter Monitoring: A more advanced method of determining and recording heart beats or electrical activity of the heart is the Holter monitoring test (or dynamic electrocardiography). It is expensive and requires the patient to have the electrodes attached to the chest for a period of 24-48 hours. A mini recorder that monitors the heart rhythms can be kept in the pocket or worn around the neck. The test is usually used to diagnose brachyardia (slow heart rate), atrial fibrillation, palpitations and arrhythmia. It is also used for patients who have suffered a recent heart attack.

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With regards,

 

Dr. K. Sampath Kumar,  B.A. (Economics), BGL, M.Com., M.Phil., Cert. A.I.I.B.,
                                        MBA (Finance), MBA (HR & Marketing),  ACS, FCMA, Ph. D.,
Professor, SSN School of Management
C/o. SSN College of Engineering
Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR)
KALAVAKKAM - 603110
Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India
Landline :  044-24860668
Mobile    :  9094405733
 
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