Conditions

Medication Anticoagulants [Dalteparin (Fragmin), Danaparoid (Orgaran)] help to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.  Antiplatelet agents (Aspirin) help prevent clotting in patients who have had a heart attack. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors [Benazepril (Lotensin)] are used to treat or improve symptoms of cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure and heart failure. Beta blockers [Acebutolol (Sectral)] decrease the heart rate and cardiac…

Your doctor may recommend the following tests: ECG (electrocardiogram): This records electrical impulses of the heart and can help the doctor detect irregularities in your heart’s rhythm and structure. Chest X-ray: Reveals whether the heart is enlarged or not. Echocardiogram: To see images of the heart’s structure and function. Cardiac catheterisation (coronary angiogram): This involves running a slim catheter in to the heart. The doctor then uses this to diagnose the condition of the heart and…

Different types of heart disease Angina: This refers to chest pain that is caused by hardened plaque, which narrows the coronary artery and reduces the flow of oxygen- ich blood to heart. Congenital heart disease: This is present at birth. Examples include atrial septal defest, ventricular defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary valve stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy. Congestive heart failure: This happens when the heart is not able to pump blood in the normal manner. This can happen…

The following are the typical symptoms: Anxiety: An impending heart attack may be preceded by feelings of anxiety.  Angina or chest pain: Heart-related chest pain is often centred under the left breast bone. The pain has been described as “an elephant sitting on the chest”. It can also present as an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, squeezing or fullness, or burning sensation in the chest. Cough: Persistent coughing or wheezing as a result of fluid accumulation in the lungs. …

What causes heart disease Smoking: Any amount of smoking, even light smoking or occasional smoking, damages the heart and blood vessels. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), raises blood pressure and damages heart tissue. High amounts of fat and cholesterol in the blood: When there is excess cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of the arteries causing them to harden and narrow. This can slow down the flow of…

How is arrhythmia treated? 1. Medicines: These include drugs that help control your heart rhythm and slow down your heart rate, such as beta-blockers, or antiarrhythmics (amiodarone and flecainide)  2. Surgical procedures: Cardioversion -  A controlled electric shock is applied to the chest from a machine called a defibrillator in order to restore the heart’s rhythm. This may be carried out if you have atrial fibrillation. Cardioversion is usually done under general anaesthesia, but…

Everything you need to know about irregular heartbeats. By Dr Shital Raval What is an arrhythmia? An arrhythmia is a disturbance of the usual electrical rhythm of the heart. It can occur regularly or just occasionally. Arrhythmias are disorders of the heart’s electrical system, which means there is a change in the regular beat. This can be as a result of the conduction pathway being damaged or blocked, or because an extra pathway is present. The heart may beat too quickly (tachycardia), or too…

Some lifestyle changes may prevent arrhythmia: Eat a low-fat, well balanced diet. Exercise on a regular basis. Quit smoking and tobacco use. Avoid or reduce caffeine and alcohol intake. Avoid using any illicit drugs. Reduce anxiety and stress to reduce the intensity or frequency of palpitations. Deep breathing, yoga and meditation relax your body. Check the ingredients in herbal medicines and supplements you are taking if they contain caffeine or substances that can induce palpitations.

What diagnostic tests are conducted to detect an arrhythmia? Your doctor may ask for the following tests: Full blood count (FBC) Electrocardiogram (ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart to see how well it’s working 24-hour heart monitor (ambulatory ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart over 24 hours or longer Exercise ECG – this can check for other problems with your heart and may trigger abnormal heart rhythms Echocardiogram – this uses ultrasound (…