TREATMENTS
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1. CARDIAC CONSULTATION
Why is it recommended
Cardiac consultation is generally required when the patient reports symptoms of a heart issue. It is one of the best ways to learn more about the issue, about its prevention and to find answers to patients’ queries. It is recommended :
- To comprehend the patient’s and his family’s medical history.
- To understand the patient’s lifestyle.
- To learn about the patient’s problems and to offer knowledge regarding the problem.
when is it recommended
- When a patient has had a heart attack or is experiencing symptoms of a heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue, nausea, or pain in the neck, jaw, or back, rapid heartbeats, rapid weight gain, and so on.
- When a patient requires lifestyle improvement advice.
- When a patient requires treatment but also requires consultation to improve their overall health and prevent conditions from worsening.
procedure
- The doctor will investigate the patient’s medical history.
- The doctor will interact with the patient and learn more about his or her lifestyle and family history of heart and other diseases.
- To gain a better understanding of the patient’s heart health, the doctor may request that the patient undergo a few tests, such as an ECG.
- The doctor would explain the issues and answer the patient’s questions before deciding on a course of treatment.
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2. CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY
Why is it recommended
- To assess the cause of restricted blood flow to the heart muscle.
- To determine the number of artery blockages and their severity.
- To gather the information needed to determine how to treat the problem.
when is it recommended
- When a patient reports symptoms of coronary artery disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue, nausea, or pain in the neck, jaw, or back, the test is recommended.
- The test is performed after other non-invasive tests, such as an ECG, have confirmed the possibility of a heart problem.
procedure
- The patient will be given a sedative to keep them calm during the procedure.
A small incision on the patient’s arm or groin will be made. - A catheter, a thin tube, will be inserted through the incision into the patient’s artery.
- To create contrast, a special dye will be injected into the patient’s blood via the catheter, and x-ray images of the artery and heart muscle will be collected.
- These images, known as angiograms, will be used to detect artery blockages.
- Depending on the circumstances and the patient’s fitness, an emergency angioplasty may be recommended.
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3. CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY
Why is it recommended
- To unclog arteries clogged by fatty plaque, which restricts healthy blood flow.
- To increase blood flow through clogged arteries.
when is it recommended
- This minimally invasive procedure is recommended when a patient reports symptoms of coronary artery disease such as chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, extreme tiredness, nausea, or pain in the neck, jaw, or back.
- Angioplasty could be recommended after obtaining angiograms via a coronary angiography test.
- Angioplasty is performed after assessing the patient’s physical fitness, the complexities of the procedure, and determining whether the procedure would offer betterment to the patient’s health.
procedure
- The patient will be given a sedative to keep them calm during the procedure.
- A small incision on the patient’s arm or groin will be made.
- A catheter, a thin tube, will be introduced through the incision into the patient’s artery.
- A small inflatable balloon with or without a stent would be carried by the catheter.
- The catheter would be advanced to the blockage, and a balloon would be inflated to open the artery and place a stent to keep the vessel open and restore blood flow.
- If multiple stents are to be placed, the procedure can be repeated. The catheter and balloon would then be removed from the body.
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4. PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION
Why is it recommended
To implant a pacemaker, a small electronic device inside the patient’s chest.
To ensure that the patient’s heart keeps beating normally.
To rule out the possibility of a cardiac arrest.
when is it recommended
- When a patient complains about something, such as rapid heartbeats.
- When the patient’s heart has been monitored and an irregular heart rhythm has been detected.
- If the cardiologist considers the patient’s arrhythmia to be chronic.
procedure
- The patient will be given local or general anaesthesia, or sometimes just a sedative to help them relax.
- Under the patient’s collarbone, an incision will be made to insert three wires known as ‘pacing leads’ into the heart.
- A small device called a pulse generator will be inserted beneath the skin near the collarbone. The pacing leads will be connected to the pulse generator, which will generate electrical signals as needed.
- The pacemaker will monitor and record the heart’s beating rate.
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5. PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE TREATMENT
OVERview & causes
PAD is a condition that occurs when a patient’s limbs do not receive adequate blood supply due to artery narrowing. This condition develops as a result of fatty deposits accumulating inside the arteries, obstructing blood flow.
PAD develops over time as fatty plaque accumulates on the inner sides of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and obesity are major risk factors that contribute to the disease’s development; fortunately, these risk factors can be controlled, whereas other risk factors, such as family history and increasing age, are uncontrollable.
symptoms
While some patients may have no symptoms, others experience claudication, which is leg pain or cramping while performing physical activity. Usually, such pain goes away after a short period of rest. Other signs are:
- Cramps/pain in the lower body that ranges from mild to severe.
- Change in colour or temperature in either leg.
- Hair and toe nails grow more slowly.
- Male erectile dysfunction.
precaution & treatment
Depending on the severity of the condition and other health factors, the doctor may recommend angioplasty, bypass surgery, or thrombolytic therapy. While angioplasty uses a stent to open up narrowed arteries, bypass surgery involves creating a different route for blood flow using a blood vessel or synthetic vessel that bypasses the affected artery. Thrombolytic therapy involves the use of a drug to dissolve a blood clot that is obstructing blood flow. Later, regular exercise and a healthy diet will be recommended, in addition to quitting tobacco consumption in any form.
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6. HEART FAILURE TREATMENT
OVERview & causes
Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart muscle fails to pump the oxygen-rich blood that your body requires. Heart failure can occur suddenly, which is known as acute failure, or gradually, which is known as chronic failure. This could be caused by a number of arterial or heart problems.
symptoms
Heart failure usually develops gradually as other risk factors weaken the heart. As a result, the heart muscle is unable to meet the body’s demand for oxygenated blood. Conditions such as high blood pressure can cause the heart to stiffen, reducing its functionality. Heart failure can be caused by damage to the heart muscle, a previous heart attack, high blood pressure, heart defects, or arrhythmia.
Heart failure symptoms may include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Faster heartbeats
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Abdominal, leg, and foot swelling
- Gaining weight quickly
- Inability to concentrate
precaution & treatment
You would be treated to eliminate the underlying issue or problem, depending on the causes. The doctor will recommend bypass surgery if the arteries are severely blocked. Bypass surgery is a procedure that involves removing a blood vessel from another part of the body and inserting it around the blockage to provide a new blood circulation route.
If there is an issue with irregular heartbeat, which is known as arrhythmia, ICD implantation will be recommended to monitor the heart rhythm and avoid irregular or abnormal rhythms. In the event of a faulty valve, the doctor will either reconnect the valve flaps or cut off the excess tissues. If the valves cannot be repaired, the doctor will replace them.
If the heart chambers are not pumping in unison, cardiac resynchronisation therapy will be recommended. This device, known as a ventricular pacemaker, will be used to solve the synchronisation problem. If no medication or surgery can repair a severely damaged heart that has caused heart failure, a heart transplant is the only option if the patient is determined to be a good candidate.
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7. ANGINA TREATMENT
OVERview & causes
Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a type of chest pain characterised by pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest area. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease caused by decreased blood flow to the heart.
Angina indicates a problem with the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Any artery obstruction, such as fatty plaque deposits, can reduce blood flow and cause angina. In some cases, a blood clot can block the flow of blood to the heart, resulting in angina (chest pain).
symptoms
Men and women experience different symptoms when suffering from angina. Shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue are common symptoms. Men frequently experience constant or travelling pain from the chest to the shoulder, back, or arms, as well as excessive sweating. Men also experience burning, squeezing, and pressurising chest pain. Women, on the other hand, typically experience discomfort in the jaw, neck, and teeth, as well as stabbing chest pain that is sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain.
precaution & treatment
A treatment is recommended based on the type of angina, the severity of the damage, and the patient’s overall health. Lifestyle changes and medication can sometimes be enough to control the damage and lower the risk of a heart attack. However, if the conditions are severe, the doctor may recommend an angioplasty or open heart surgery to restore blood flow through the arteries to the heart.
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8. CARDIOMYOPATHY TREATMENT
OVERview & causes
Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that impairs or limits the heart’s ability to efficiently pump blood. Cardiomyopathy is most commonly caused by family genetics or a long-term risk factor/disease.
The majority of cases have unidentified causes of cardiomyopathy. Though it is inherited in some cases, it can also be acquired as a result of long-term issues such as high blood pressure and a rapid heart rate. Cardiomyopathy can also be caused by diseases such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or infections that are inflammatory to the heart.
symptoms
The disease’s symptoms can be subtle or severe:
- Chest pain/pressure/discomfort
- Swelling in the abdomen or lower abdomen.
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness during physical activity
- Lightheadedness/fainting/dizziness
precaution & treatment
Treatment is determined by the type of cardiomyopathy, risk factors, and the patient’s overall health.
More non-invasive methods are sometimes recommended to manage symptoms first, followed by preventive measures to keep the condition from worsening. If non-invasive methods and medication fail to control the disease, devices such as an ICD, pacemaker, or VAD can be implanted to treat the cause. However, if the conditions are severe, a heart transplant or septal myectomy may be the only options.