Cardiovascular diseases have become somewhat common. Doctors recommend getting your symptoms checked before the situation worsens. These diseases are chronic and life-threatening. They cause a significant number of deaths if not carefully observed and managed. Dr. Jose A. Silva, MD, FACC, FSCAI, a board certified cardiologist in Chalmette, offers his patients varied cardiovascular treatment options like cardiac interventions, heart attack care, and high blood pressure treatment. With a team of cardiology and vascular experts, Dr. Silva will help you live a healthy life.
What Is A Heart Attack?
Also referred to as a myocardial infarction, a heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in your blood vessels, causing the blood flowing to your heart to stop. When this blockage happens, your heart is denied oxygen and essential nutrients. A heart attack is not abrupt. It starts gradually with warning signs and mild symptoms for days or weeks before it occurs.
How Will You Know If You Could Be Having A Heart Attack?
Heart attacks are caused by several risk factors ranging from lifestyles to family history. Additionally, you are at risk of having the episode if you are a cardiovascular ailment victim. Mostly characterized by chest pains, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness, heart attack symptoms will not be the same in everyone. Some common symptoms of heart attacks include:
· Chest pains that feel more like pressure
· Breaking out in a cold sweat
· Pains in your neck, arms, jaw, or abdomen
· Nausea and vomiting
· Heartburn
What Is Stress Testing?
Stress testing is a way of checking your heart changes during an exercise. This test, usually done in a controlled environment, will help your doctor diagnose and monitor your heart problems. Your cardiologist will request this test, either as part of a physical exam or as part of a diagnostic process, if he suspects you could be having heart problem symptoms. You may also be recommended to go for the test if you are on heart medication.
How Does Stress Testing Work?
On your visit to the cardiologist, the doctor will have you exercise on a treadmill machine while your heart is connected via small leads to an electrocardiogram machine (EKG). This EKG machine is the one used to monitor your heart rate on different activity levels. An EKG technician can operate this machine. Any individual can operate this machine but first, he will have to learn how to become an EKG tech. While on the machine, you will start walking and gradually increase your speed for approximately 15 minutes, then you rest. Your doctor then monitors your heart rate, making sure it goes back to normal before he releases you to go home.
What Happens If You Cannot Take A Stress Test?
Not every heart patient is strong and healthy enough to do stress testing. In such a case, Dr. Silva advises that you go for a nuclear stress test. This test produces the effect of an exercise without physical exertion. The doctor records your resting blood pressure plus your EKG readings as you lay down then injects a drug into your veins to increase your heart activity.
Do not hesitate to seek help from the heart experts at Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Services if you have a heart condition or stroke risk. Book your appointment online or call the facility for more information on heart health.
