With time, just like any other disease, the rates of heart attacks are increasing and so is the concern of people. Around the world people of all ages are experiencing certain heart health issues. But with the increasing rate of heart issues, the advancement of medical technology has also increased.
With the use of different medical instruments, heart illness can be detected early. If the heart illness is treated before a major cardiac event, then the chances of extending the life expectancy of an individual can significantly increase. So if you are wondering to go for a routine checkup and are wondering what diagnostic tools are used, then wait. Here's everything that will help you discover about a regular heart checkup.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack can be understood as a cause that results from coronary heart disease. It is brought on by atherosclerosis or most commonly due to the buildup of fat in the arteries. This may happen as a result of a poor diet and inactivity.
Before arriving at the hospital or within the first month following a heart attack, some people pass away unexpectedly due to this health issue. Whereas, a lot of people can survive with the right treatment when employed at the right time. Moreover, the chances of heart attack are highly influenced by age. When people tend to age, the likelihood of major problems increases.
Top Major Medical Devices Used in Early Detection of Heart Attacks
The major medical devices that are used in the early detection of heart attacks are given below.
- X-Ray
When the symptoms of heart disease are seen like shortness of breath, a doctor typically requests an X-ray of the patient's chest. These X-rays are sent by the equipment through a tube that passes through the chest of the patient.
Then it is absorbed by the film behind them to produce an image. Besides just the possibility of a heart attack, many other things can be detected like enlargement and more.
- Electrocardiogram
The most commonly requested test is the electrocardiogram or EKG. It is performed in conjunction with echocardiography where ten tiny sticky pads are affixed along the wall of the chest to the EKG machine through the wires.
These wires carry data gathered from the heart's electrical activity. The result appears in the form of an image report which is called tracing. As the doctor logs in the data, he may identify the different stages of cardiac illnesses.
- Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography is one of the widely used diagnostic tools in the detection of heart disease. It is a form of simple CT scan that provides the radiographers with a more detailed picture of the heart. In contrast to X-ray radiography, the CT scanner's detectors do not give a picture.
Rather, how narrow and rotating the X-ray beam penetrates the body during the scan is measured. As the image was captured from several perspectives, the system can obtain the artery depth data in three dimensions by applying algorithms. This is done to reconstruct the image from the raw data.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used at times when a CT Scan or X-ray does not fit the standard due to radiation exposure for the patient. This is mostly used for pregnant patients as there is a chance for the fetus to experience developmental issues in the future.
Also in situations where a CT scan may not be able to detect soft tissue, diagnosing heart illnesses through Magnetic Resonance Imaging seems as the right option.
- Cardiac Catheterization
This test can reveal cardiac artery blockages. A catheter is a long thin, flexible tube which is used in the process. This tube is led to the heart by being put into a blood vessel generally through the wrist or the groin.
The catheter allows the dye to enter the heart's arteries. During the exam, the dye makes the arteries more visible on X-ray images for the doctors to diagnose and proceed further with the treatment.
- Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram comes next in the list that is used to check the heart of a patient. After checking the blood pressure level with the blood pressure monitors, the treatment of the patient is preceded by an Echocardiogram. The technique captures an image of the heart and the structures around it. This procedure is similar to an ultrasound of the heart.
The sound waves from the echo machine are directed through a transducer using a conductive gel. This helps to get a clear image of the organ. The transducer receives the sound waves after they have bounced off of organs like the heart. It then uses this information to convey electricity to the echo machine. This is where it is converted by the unit into an active 2D image.
What are the Right Ways You Can Prevent Heart Problems?
There are many things you can do to keep your heart healthy besides just going for routine checkups. Some of the things which you can regularly keep in mind are
- Do not smoke
- Make sure to eat healthy food items
- It is important to keep your blood pressure under control
- Take cholesterol tests regularly
- Manage diabetes problems
- Engage in several physical activities
- Keep your weight under control
- Do not forget to manage stress
Time to Help Your Heart Become Healthier
If you are thinking of going for a regular heart health checkup, then there is no reason to hold back. On the other hand, when searching for quality products like blood pressure monitors, you do not need to rush. We at Medguard are the leading wholesale and retail suppliers of medical products in the United Kingdom. No matter what type of medical supply you need - we have it all from different brands as well as in-house brands. The best part is that we make delivery right to your doorstep on time. Also, our products are available at highly affordable rates.