Ultrasonography, electrocardiogram, cardiac stress test

The ability to diagnose cardiovascular diseases in advance is a crucial factor in ensuring successful treatment outcomes. The subsequent therapeutic strategies and course of treatment are contingent upon the accuracy of the diagnosis, underscoring the paramount importance of meticulous attention to this stage.

When have to do

Heart rhythm disorder, murmurs.

Heart pain, chest pain.

Frequent dizziness, rapid fatigability, episodes of fainting.

Edema, increased blood pressure.

Dyspnea, respiratory distress.

Acrohypothermy, muscle ache, periodic lameness.

Previous myocardial infarction, abdominal surgery.

The following factors increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease: age over 40, smoking, increased blood pressure, hereditation, overweight, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus.

Advantages

Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) enables the assessment of cardiac dimensions, structure, and specific features, as well as the condition of the heart valves and pressure in large blood vessels (e.g., the pressure in pulmonary artery). It also facilitates the diagnosis of cardiac failure. In our Cardiovascular Surgery Federal Centre, if necessary, we employ three-dimensional imaging of the heart and transesophageal echocardiography to clarify the diagnosis.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is conducted on a 12-channel cardiograph Shiller, which enables the assessment of the state and function of the heart, as well as the determination of the most appropriate treatment strategy in the event of any deviations.

Cardiac stress tests, including bicycle ergometry and stress echocardiography, provide insight into the heart's reaction to physical activity, the body's capacity for endurance, and the potential for undetected pathology.

Holter monitoring enables the assessment of cardiac rhythm and the presence of ischemic changes over a defined monitoring period.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring enables the assessment of arterial tension over an extended period of time.

Method of implementation

Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) is painless and takes an average of 10-15 minutes. During the examination, an ultrasound machine is used which, with the help of a special sensor, records various heart index, according to which the doctor analyses the size, structure, specific features, condition of the heart valves, pressure in the large blood vessels and gives his medical report. This examination is completely safe for the patient. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is carried out with the help of a special device -electrocardiograph, which records all electrical impulses generated by the heart during cardiac function and displays them in a graphic image, on the basis of which the doctor analyses how regular the heart beats are, identifies the frequency of heart beats, cardiac rate, excitation focus of the cardiac muscle, etc. The recording of an electrocardiogram is completely painless and takes about 5 minutes. In cardiac stress tests, the ECG is recorded while the patient is pedaling a bicycle. By gradually increasing the exercise load, it is possible to assess the endurance of the cardiovascular system and detect latent heart diseases that are compensated under normal conditions. Holter monitoring is a diagnostic electrocardiographic technique that records the cardiac electrical activity over a period of time using a portable device. During the monitoring period, the patient leads a normal lifestyle and only undergoes additional stress tests if recommended by the doctor: running, climbing stairs, squats, etc. All activities and important events are carefully recorded in a special diary, which must be time-stamped.

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