HEART

HOW TO STUDY THE HEART ARTERIES PROPERLY?

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The heart is a pump that pushes oxygenated blood through the arteries to the whole body. Heart attack occurs when there is an obstruction caused by fatty plaques of cholesterol in the arteries that prevents the flow of oxygen-filled blood to the tissue. As a result, the tissue dies and there may be pain.

 

The accumulation of fat in the arteries begins in adolescence. Its rate of growth depends on many factors, including inflammatory conditions, family history, diet, habits and lifestyles (physical inactivity, obesity). Fat is deposited in the arteries in the form of plaques, which when injured or broken can produce blood clots.

 

Risk Factors

 

• High Risk

• Diabetes

• Uncontrolled hypertension

 

Medium Risk

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• Overweight

• Stress

• High cholesterol

• Postmenopausal women

• Men over age 40

• Smoker or living with smokers

• Family history of heart attack

 

Low Risk

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• Healthy people

 

Your Appropriate Study

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In healthy people or those with moderate risk factors and without symptoms, the medical recommendation is to have a CORONARY ARTERIES CALCIUM SCORE screening, for men at age 40 and for women after menopause. This is a quick, light and economical study, using the 64-Slice CT Scan to show how much calcium plaque is in the heart?? and calculate the risk of heart attack more accurately.With the results of this test, your doctor can determine if basic or more intensive preventive measures should be taken. A high score indicates an increased risk of heart attack and warrants a deeper study of the heart.

 

If there is chest pain or moderate risks accompanied by symptoms, you have a bypass or stent, or have previously had a heart attack, a CORONARY ARTERY ANGIOGRAPHY is advised. This is the most complete study of the heart, in which the arteries are visualized in their entirety, inside and outside, exposing even the tiniest of fat plaques. A Coronary Artery Angiography is a non-invasive equivalent to a Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization. The detailed results from this screening assist your doctor in deciding on the most effective preventive treatment or resolution of the identified issues in order to avoid a heart attack.

 

Note: An ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (EKG) does not have the ability to identify obstructions until the heart is damaged and there is dead tissue. Similarly, a stress test shows altered results only if the arteries have 70% or more arterial obstruction.

 

How Does a Heart Attack Feel?

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• Chest pain that can radiate to the jaw, back, or left arm

• Feeling of choking or shortness of breath

• Heavy sweating

 

* Some sudden heart attacks don't have any of these symptoms.

 

Symptoms

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In some cases a heart attack is preceded with symptoms of angina pectoris, such as chest pain or pressure that increases in frequency and intensity. At other times death is the first symptom.

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That's why it's crucial to check your body's heart health with these specific and informative tests as preventative measures. Schedule yours before it's too late!

 

Medical Indications for Calcium Score and Coronary Artery Angiography:

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• Chest Pain

• Hypertension or Diabetes

• Smoking

• Family History of Heart Attack

• Suspicious or Unexpected Stress Test Results

• Previous Heart Attack

• Stent or Bypass Evaluation

• Coronary Arteries Not Visualized in Invasive Angiography

• Congenital Anomalies in Coronary Arteries

 

A timely treatment is safer, more economical and will save your life!