Arrhythmias or abnormal and irregular heartbeats are the results of the electrical pulses in your heart incorrectly coordinate the natural rhythm. Arrhythmias are not uncommon and can often be harmless. There are times that they can be alarming and become an emergency situation. This guide will help you distinguish these two types and what you should do in the event of them. What Causes Arrhythmia? There are 14 different types of arrhythmia, depending on where it originates. Atrial arrhythmia ... [Read More]
heart health
WHAT IS A HOLTER MONITOR – AND WHY WOULD I NEED ONE?
It may sound like a top-secret gadget employed by the CIA or MI-6, but in fact, a Holter monitor is just a battery-operated portable device that continuously measures and records your heart’s activity for 24 to 48 hours or longer. It’s the size of a small camera and has wires with electrodes that attach to your chest, so it can record your ECG (electrocardiography) as you go about your daily business. You may be wondering why anyone – including you – would want or need to wear a Holter ... [Read More]
Diagnosing Structural Problems in The Heart: Echocardiograms and Your Heart Valves
Could You Have Heart Disease, and Not Know About It? If you have been experiencing fatigue, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, leg cramping, or chest pain/tightness, you could have a heart condition and should see your doctor for evaluation. About 60 million people, or 20 to 25 percent of adults in the United States, suffer from structural heart defects. These heart defects include diseases of the heart valves (valvular). What Is Structural Heart Valve Disease (SHD)? Heart valves ... [Read More]
Why Would Your Doctor Request an Echocardiogram?
Cardiovascular or heart health is an important medical topic that should not be taken lightly, but rather seriously. Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women? To put it in perspective, approximately 610,000 people in the United States die from heart disease or heart related issues annually, which equates to one in every four deaths. So, when your doctor recommends certain diagnostic scans such as an echocardiogram, it’s time to get serious about your heart ... [Read More]
