Heart CT Scan – Purpose, Procedure & Risks

The acronym CT scan stands for Computer Tomography scan. It is a test available in most of the cardiology hospital; it uses x-rays to examine specific parts of the body. The scan obtains detailed images of the body with the help of a safe quantity of radiation; these images with the help of a computer can be used to create a 3D image of the whole heart. It is a painless procedure and allows the doctor to spot ailment in the part of the body that is under examination.

The test can be taken the same day it has been prescribed by the doctor; the test is quick and involves almost no complications.

Purpose of Conducting a Heart CT Scan

The purpose of this cardiology test is to find out if your heart is functioning normally or not. Your cardiologist may prescribe this test if they observe symptoms like chest pain, irregular breathing, trouble with the breathing, excess sweating, weakness, etc.

Other symptoms that suggest to the doctor that you are suffering from heart problem can lead for him to advocate or demand this test. The purpose of this test is:

• It helps the doctor detect coronary heart disease
• Problem with the functioning of heart and its valves
• Calcium buildup in the arteries
• Defects of the heart that exist by birth
• Tumors within or outside the heart
• Plaque that builds up in the artery
• Clotting of blood in the chamber of the heart

There are different types of CT scans conducted for different purposes. A CT scan can also be used to examine if the tumor in the heart is responding to treatment or not. It can also be used to plan the radiation therapy. CT scan is a very important scan with numerous possibility; not just for the heart, but other regions too.

Procedure:

The test may be conducted at the radiology department or at a clinic that specializes in such tests. The procedure usually does not last more than 15 minutes in most cases, but can take as much as 1 hour if you include the preparation time.

Beta blockers will be provided to you that will slow the heart rate. Before the test is conducted the technician will inject a dye into your veins; this dye usually contains iodine. The dye is used to make your blood vessels more prominent, this helps in creating a clearer image. The dye to harmless and can be flushed out of the body.

The CT scanner is a large round cylinder that has a table going into it. You will lie on the table and it will slide into the tunnel-like cylinder. At the beginning of the test, the technician will ask you to lie on the table in a position that he or she thinks is suitable. You may also be strapped with a belt to keep you stagnant on the table. During the test, while the pictures are being taken, the technician might ask you to hold your breath for about 10-20 seconds.

You will go into the cylinder several times during the scan; the whole time you can talk to your technician or they might talk to you to make you comfortable. After about 15 minutes your test will be over and the pictures will be ready for the doctor to examine.

Risks Involved in a Heart CT Scan

The test usually does not involve many risks, there are more things killing you in your everyday life than this test. But in a rare instance, this test could prove allergic to those people who have an allergy to the dye, with this test there is also a slight chance of cancer because the test uses radiation. Therefore, it is recommended by cardiologists not to take the test more than the prescribed times.

Hypertensive Heart Disease Recorded As the No. 1 Killer

Today, there is a spike in the rate of death caused by hypertensive heart disease all around the country. This disease is caused due to prolonged high blood pressure. Having a high blood pressure puts you at the risk of many cardiac diseases and stroke. A top cardiologist in hyderabad suggests that adults above the age of 18 must be diagnosed at least every few years and every year for those with cardiac complications (age 39 and above).

Types of Hypertensive disease

Many diseases are caused due to high blood pressure. The specialists across the country agree that high blood pressure is the root cause of at least these two ailments.

• Coronary Artery Disease

This disease is also known as ischemic heart disease (IHD). In this condition, muscles of the organ start getting narrow and the quantity of blood flow to the organ starts to reduce; this leads to the hardening of the arteries.

It critically hampers the ability to perform its primary function of pumping blood to the rest of the organs. This could lead to cardiac-attack.

• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy  

Due to high blood pressure, it becomes difficult for your heart to pump blood to the other organs of the body. It forces the organ to work extra hard to perform its function; this excess effort compels the organ to change its function and it thickens and expands.

This change occurs in the left ventricle of the main chamber & thus the name of the disease left ventricular hypertrophy.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of this disease largely depend on the stage of your heart’s conditions. There may not be any symptoms if it is not accompanied by the organ failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and  hypertension or you may experience symptoms such as:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Frequent chest pains
3. Fatigue
4. Swelling on the leg or ankle
5. Lack of appetite
6. Orthopnea
7. Abdominal pain
8. Palpitations

If an individual above the age of 39 experiences any one or more of these symptoms, they must immediately consult a doctor for the diagnosis of the heart.

Diagnosis of the Disease

Cardiologists look for certain signs like your high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, unusual sound, and the fluid in the lungs before conducting certain tests to diagnose the condition of the main organ. These tests will include:

1. Cardiac stress test
2. Chest X-ray
3. Electrocardiogram
4. Echocardiogram
5. Coronary angiogram

Advice:

These days more and more young people are falling prey to hypertensive disease. The treatment of this disease and its types can be done in various ways. The objective of the treatment is to smoothen the flow of blood to the heart and prevent cholesterol and clotting of blood. There are several treatments available with medical science and you must visit a doctor immediately if any of the symptoms reflect.

If you are suffering from any cardiac complication, you must abstain from smoking, fatty food with high amount of cholesterol and must do regular exercise.

ENT Specialist In Hyderabad - Credihealth

Take reliable advice from our medical experts and find the best ent specialist in hyderabad.
Credihealth is a well known name in providing health care services.Also you can book appointments with doctors or hospitals through Credihealth.

Cardiologist In Kukatpally - Credihealth

Get full details about well known cardiologist in kukatpally. Also, get assistance in booking appointments of best doctor after consulting our reliable medical experts.

Orthopedist in Hyderabad - Credihealth

Credihealth helps you in choosing the right orthopedist in hyderabad for you after consultation with our medical experts.We also provide assistance in booking appointments online.

Heart Care After Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery open heart surgery is one of the major developments in managing cardiovascular diseases which is the leading cause of death, globally. This surgery aims to treat chest pains, angina and artery blockages besides diminishing the chances of a heart attack.Bypass surgery unfortunately is attached to a mortality rate of 4 percent, worldwide.Considering that the bypass surgery cost and surgery implications are high, patients only do adequate research before the procedure and neglecting the post-procedure complications.Shortly after a bypass surgery, complications might result in a person’s fatality. The first phase of recovery involves around six weeks where a patient is expected to follow certain instructions in relation to his lifestyle for proper and efficient recovery.

• Taking proper care of the wound – The wound must be kept clean and dry at all times, after the surgery. You must immediately contact your cardiologist if you see the edges of the wound pulling apart, redness around the wound or more oozing than natural. You must also be on your guard if your body temperature rises above 100 degree Fahrenheit and you perceive a shift in your breastbone like a pop or a crack.

• Relieving the pain – Most heart surgeons prescribe medications that aim at diminishing your pain. However, certain amount of pain and discomfort like itching, tightness and numbness are normal and shouldn’t be reasons you worry about. If you had a bypass surgery, your legs are bound to hurt. To ease this pain, a gentle exercise might come in handy. Once you start exercising very gentling, the soreness and stiffness would no longer persist in your body.

• Take part in certain activities – It is recommended by experts of top bypass surgery hospitals to engage yourself in certain activities post your bypass surgery to attain a sense of normalcy in your life. Start by doing little household chores that build up your activity in a gradual process. Take a walk, every day. Unless you have been advised not to, climb stairs with care. You are however advised to not stand in the same place for 15 minutes or to push and lift things that are heavy and weigh more than 10 pounds. You must be able to drive within a month of your surgery but it is advised to engage in physical exercises before doing that.

• Eat a number of small meals a day – It is normal to lose your appetite post-surgery but you must give your body the proper nutrition it deserves after a crisis. It is essential to eat wholesome foods, prescribed by your doctor. While you must eat food that is rich in high protein, you are advised to avoid food rich in high carbohydrates or fat. It is essential that you don’t eat a lot at once. Instead, take small meals throughout the day and also drink between meals. Chew the food properly and do not eat sugar based food in large quantities.

• Keep yourself emotionally happy – Most patients go through a period of sadness and depression after a heart surgery but there are things you can do to keep your heart healthy and happy. Always make sure your spirits are up. Wear good and comfortable clothes. Take a walk every day and talk to people you meet on the way. It is the best time to take up your hobbies and pursue social gatherings. It is always helpful to share how you feel and make sure you always catch a good night sleep that helps you battle all the blues.

• Take proper rest and sleep – While it is essential that you exercise post-surgery, do not over-exert yourself. After taking a walk or doing some household chore, make sure you take proper rest. Do not sleeps a lot during the day so that you can have a proper good night sleep. Avoid caffeine or chocolate consumption that might hamper your sleeping pattern.

It is imperative that you care for your heart by caring for yourself after a bypass surgery and stay healthy and happy.