Cardiology

1. Subspecialties of Cardiology

2. Nuclear Cardiology – 

3. This subspecialty uses nuclear imaging techniques in non-invasive study of cardiovascular diseases & disorders, including myocardial perfusion imaging, planar imaging, single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) & infarction imaging. Nuclear cardiologists basically use radioactive materials.

4. Interventional Cardiology – 

5. This subspecialty involves using intravascular catheter based techniques along with fluoroscopy for treating valvular, congenital cardiac & coronary artery diseases. Interventional cardiologists generally perform coronary thrombectomies, congenital heart defect corrections, valvuloplasties & angioplasties.

6. Echocardiography – 

7. This subspecialty uses ultrasound waves for creating images of heart valves, heart chambers & surrounding structures. Echocardiography effectively measures as to how well the heart is able to pump blood (cardiac output) along with determining level of inflammation around heart (pericarditis). Echocardiography is also utilized to identify infections or structural abnormalities of heart valves.

8. Cardiac Electrophysiology – 

9. This involves the study of spread, mechanism & interpretation of electric currents occurring inside heart muscle tissue. This is the system which eventually generates the heartbeat. During electrophysiology study or EPS of the heart, catheter is threaded into vein at top of the leg & guided under fluoroscopy making its way to the heart. These catheters are meant to measure electrical signals within the heart. EPS of heart is usually performed so as to determine if the patient requires a pacemaker & why the patient is fainting when other tests found no cause & to help decide the best treatment option for patients with abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). EPS can also determine how prone a patient is to accelerated heart beats (tachycardia). 

   Understanding the Heart

   Heart is basically a pump. It is a muscular organ which is about the size of a fist & is situated slightly left of center in chest. Heart is further divided in the left & the right side. This division is meant to protect oxygen-rich blood from mixing with blood which is poor in oxygen. Oxygen-poor blood is blood which returns to the heart after circulating throughout the body. Right side of the heart comprises of the right atrium & right ventricle. It collects & pumps blood to lungs through pulmonary arteries. Lungs basically refresh blood with newer supply of oxygen. Lungs also help in eliminating carbon dioxide as a waste product. Oxygen rich blood subsequently enters the left side of heart which comprises of the left atrium & the left ventricle. Following this, left side of the heart pumps blood through aorta to supply blood containing oxygen & nutrients to tissues throughout the body.

10. Heart Valves – There are four valves within the heart which keep blood moving in the right way by opening in a synchronized fashion only when it is required. Moreover, these valves must be properly formed to function perfectly & must open all the way & also close tightly so that there is no leakage. The four valves of the heart are as follows.
    • Aortic
    • Pulmonary
    • Mitral

11. Causes of Cardiovascular & Heart Diseases

    Atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of cardiovascular disease. This is commonly caused by correctable problems like being overweight, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet & smoking.

    ·Causes of Heart Arrhythmia

    Common causes of arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms or conditions which lead to arrhythmias include the following.

12. Congenital Heart Defects
13. High Blood Pressure
14. Coronary Artery Disease
15. Diabetes
16. Valvular Heart Disease
17. Stress
18. Drug Abuse
19. Smoking
20. Excessive Alcohol
21. Excessive Caffeine
22. Some Over-the-Counter Medications
23. Prescription Medications
24. Dietary Supplements
25. Herbal Remedies

26. Healthy people with a normal healthy heart are unlikely to develop fatal arrhythmia without any outside trigger like an electric shock or use of illegal drugs. This is primary because healthy heart is free from abnormal conditions which cause arrhythmia, like an area of scarred tissue. However, electrical impulses of a diseased or deformed heart may not start properly or travel through the heart & therefore make arrhythmias more likely to develop.

    ·Causes of Congenital Heart Defects

    These heart defects usually develop while the child is in the womb. Starting about a month after conception, these defects also develop as the fetus heart develops & usually change the flow of blood in the child’s heart. Some medications, medical conditions & genes are found to play a role in causing these defects. Sometimes, these heart defects can also develop in adults. As these people age, the structure of the heart can change & cause a heart defect.

    ·Causes of Cardiomyopathy

    Cause of cardiomyopathy is enlarging or thickening of the heart muscle. This may further depend upon the following types.

27. Dilated Cardiomyopathy – This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy, but the cause of this is often unknown. It may sometimes be caused by toxins, infections, ischemic heart disease (reduced blood flow to heart) & certain drugs. Dilated cardiomyopathy can also be inherited from a parent. This usually dilates (enlarges) the left ventricle of the patient.
28. Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy – This is a type in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. Usually inherited, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also develop over a period of time due to aging or high blood pressure.
29. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy – This is the least common type of cardiomyopathy which can cause the heart muscle to become less elastic & rigid. Occurring for no known reason, it is sometimes also caused by illnesses like hemochromatosis (excessive iron build-up in body), connective tissue disorders or due to some cancer treatments like radiation & chemotherapy.

30. ·Causes of Heart Infection

    Heart infections like myocarditis, endocarditis & pericarditis are caused when irritants like virus, bacterium or chemicals reach the heart muscle. Most common causes of heart infections include the following.

31. Viruses
32. Bacteria
33. Parasites

34. ·Causes of Valvular Heart Disease

    There are several causes of diseases of heart valves. Some people are born with valvular disease or heart valves may have been damaged by conditions mentions below.

35. Connective Tissue Disorders
36. Infections like Infectious Endocarditis
37. Rheumatic Fever

38. Signs & Symptoms of Heart Disease

    Signs & symptoms of heart disease however depend upon the type of heart disease which the patient has.

    ·Signs & Symptoms of Atherosclerotic Disease (Blood Vessels)

    Cardiovascular disease is generally caused by stiffened, narrowed or blocked blood vessels which prevent the heart, brain or other parts of the body from receiving adequate blood. Cardiovascular disease signs & symptoms can however be different for men & women. Like for instance, most men are more likely to have chest pain while women are likely to have signs & symptoms like extreme fatigue, nausea & shortness of breath. Some signs & symptoms of Atherosclerotic diseases include the following.

39. Angina (chest pain)
40. Shortness of breath
41. Pain in back, upper abdomen, throat, jaw & neck
42. Coldness, weakness, numbness or pain in arms or legs when blood vessels in these parts have narrowed

43. Quite often, patients may not be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease until they have heart failure, stroke, angina or a heart attack. It is therefore important to watch for signs & symptoms of cardiovascular disease & discuss concerns with the doctors. Cardiovascular disease can sometimes be identified early with regular examinations.

     

    ·Signs & Symptoms of Heart Arrhythmias (Abnormal Heartbeats)

    Heart arrhythmias involve abnormal heartbeats. Heart may beat slowly, irregularly or too quickly. Heart arrhythmia signs & symptoms can include the following.

44. Syncope (fainting) or near fainting
45. Dizziness
46. Lightheadedness
47. Shortness of breath
48. Discomfort or chest pain
49. Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
50. Trachycardia (racing heart beat)
51. Fluttering in chest

52. ·Signs & Symptoms Caused by Heart Defects

    These include serious congenital heart defects or defects which patients are born with. These usually become evident soon after birth. Heart defect signs & symptoms among children could include the following.

53. Cyanosis (pale gray or blue skin color)
54. Swelling in areas around eyes, abdomen or legs
55. Shortness of breath during feedings leading to poor weight gain in infants

56. Less serious congenital heart defects usually go unnoticed until a time later in childhood or during adulthood. Signs & symptoms of such congenital heart defects which are not immediately life-threatening include the following.

57. Swelling in feet, ankles or hands
58. Tiring easily during activity or exercise
59. Shortness of breath during activity or exercise

60.  

    ·Signs & Symptoms Caused by Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Weak Heart Muscle)

    This is the stiffening & thickening of heart muscle, cardiomyopathy in early stages may not display any signs & symptoms. However, as the condition worsens, signs & symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include the following.

61. Fatigue
62. Swelling of feet, ankles & legs
63. Breathlessness with rest or exertion
64. Fainting, lightheadedness & dizziness
65. Irregular heartbeats which feel rapid, fluttering or pounding

66. ·Heart Disease Caused by Heart Infections

    Basically, there are 3 types of heart infections which are mentioned below.

67. Endocarditis – It is affecting the inner membrane of the heart which separates valves & chambers of the heart known as endocardium.
68. Myocarditis – This affects the middle muscular layer of the walls of the heart known as myocardium.
69. Pericarditis – It affects the tissue surrounding the heart & which is called the pericardium.

70. Heart infection signs & symptoms which vary slightly depending upon the type of infection include the following.

71. Fatigue or weakness
72. Shortness of breath
73. Fever
74. Dry or persistent cough
75. Changes in heart rhythm
76. Swelling in abdomen or legs
77. Skin rashes or unusual spots

78. ·Signs & Symptoms Caused by Valvular Heart Disease

    It is easier to treat heart disease when it is detected early. It would therefore be wise to talk to the doctor when a person fells concerned about heart health. They should talk to the doctor about steps which can be taken in order to reduce risk of heart disease when they are concerned about developing heart disease. This is extremely important for people who are having a family history of heart disease. Therefore, it would be sensible that they seek an appointment with the doctor based upon the new signs & symptoms when they think that they may be having heart disease.

    Risk Factors for Heart Disease

    Risk factors for developing heart disease generally include the following.

79. Age – Aging generally increases risk of narrowed & damaged arteries & thickened or weakened heart muscles.
80. Sex – Men are generally at higher risk of developing heart disease. However, women’s risk also increases after menopause.
81. Family History – Having a family history of heart disease also increases risk of developing coronary artery disease. It is more so when a parent had developed it at an early age, usually before 55 years of age for a male relative like a brother or father & 65 years of age for a female relative like sister or mother.
82. Smoking – Since nicotine constricts blood vessels & carbon monoxide can damage the inner lining, smokers are more susceptible to heart diseases like atherosclerosis. This is why heart attacks are more common among smokers than nonsmokers.
83. Poor Diet – Diets which are high in cholesterol, sugar, salt & fat can effectively contribute in development of heart disease.
84. High Blood Pressure – Uncontrolled high blood pressure usually results in thickening & hardening arteries which eventually also narrow the vessels which carry blood to heart muscles.
85. High Blood Cholesterol Levels – Higher levels of cholesterol in blood can subsequently increase risk of formation of plaques so as to cause atherosclerosis.
86. Diabetes – Risk of heart disease generally increases for people with diabetes. Diabetes shares similar risk factors like obesity & high blood pressure.
87. Obesity – Excessive weight typically worsens many other risk factors.
88. Physical Inactivity – Lack of exercise is commonly associated with several types of heart disease & some other associated risk factors as well.
89. Stress – Unrelieved stress may eventually damage arteries & also end up worsening many other risk factors for heart disease.
90. Poor Hygiene – These include not washing hands regularly & not establishing other habits which can help prevent bacterial or viral infections puts an individual at risk of heart infections. This is more so when a person is already having an underlying heart condition. Poor dental health is also a contributor to developing heart disease.

91. Risks & Complications of Heart Disease

    Risks & complications of heart disease include the following.

92. Heart Failure – Heart failure is one of the most common complications of heart disease. This usually occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the requirement of the body. However, heart failure can result from several forms of heart disease, including cardiomyopathy, heart infections, valvular heart disease, cardiovascular disease or any other heart defect.
93. Heart Attack – When there is a blood clot blocking blood flow through a blood vessel feeding the heart can cause heart attack which can possibly damage or destroy part of the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis may eventually end up causing a heart attack.
94. Stroke – Risk factors which lead to cardiovascular disease can also lead to ischemic stroke. This happens when arteries to brain are narrowed or blocked so that very little blood is reaching the brain. Stroke is generally a medical emergency in which the brain tissue begins to die within just a few minutes of stroke.
95. Aneurysm – This is a serious complication which can occur anywhere in the body. Aneurysm basically is a bulge in the wall of an artery. When an aneurysm bursts, the patient may face a life-threatening internal bleeding.
96. Peripheral Artery Disease – Atherosclerosis is also found to lead to peripheral artery disease. The extremities, which are usually the legs, do not receive enough flow of blood, when a person develops peripheral artery disease. This usually ends up causing symptoms which most notably are claudication (pain in leg while walking).
97. Sudden Cardiac Arrest – This happens quite sudden & unexpected. Sudden cardiac arrest is loss of heart function alongside breathing & consciousness which is most often caused by arrhythmia. A medical emergency which if not immediately treated is fatal, sudden cardiac arrest can also result in sudden cardiac death

98. Preparing for Initial Appointment for Cardiac Treatment

    Although some type of heart diseases will be discovered without an appointment, like for example when a child is born with serious heart defect, it will most probably be detected at the time of birth itself, but then other cases of heart disease may only be diagnosed in emergency situations like a heart attack. It would however be ideal for people who suspect they are having heart disease or are worried about risk of heart disease because they have family history, must see a family doctor to begin with. Subsequently, they may however be referred to a cardiologist who happens to be a heart specialist. The following information will help such a patient to prepare for an initial appointment.

99. Beware of Pre-Appointment Restrictions – When patients make an appointment with the doctor, it would be sensible to ask if there is anything they need to do in advance, like restricting the diet. Like for example, patients are required to fast before a cholesterol test.
100. Write Down Symptoms Experienced – This should also include any which seem unrelated to the heart disease.
101. Write Down Key Personal Information – This information should include family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke & any major stresses or changes in recent life.
102. Make a List of Current Medications – This list should include supplements & vitamins along with medications currently being taken.
103. Take Someone Along If Possible – Someone accompanying the patient can help remember information provided during initial appointment & which the the patient may sometimes forget.
104. Prepare to Discuss – Patients must stay prepared to discuss their habits including exercise, smoking & diet. In case they do not already follow an exercise or diet routine, they should talk to the doctor about starting one.
105. Write Down Questions to Ask Doctors – Some basic questions for heart disease which patients can ask doctors are listed below.
     • What is most likely to be the cause of my condition or symptoms?
     • What other possible causes can be for my condition or symptoms?
     • Which tests will I need to undergo?
     • Which is the best treatment option that I have?
     • Which foods should I eat or avoid?
     • What is an appropriate level of physical activity I can indulge in?
     • How often do I need to be screened for heart disease?
     • How often do I need to undergo cholesterol test?
     • What alternatives do you suggest to the primary approach for treatment?
     • How do I best manage my other health conditions along with this?
     • Are there any restrictions which I need to follow?
     • Do I need to see another specialist for my condition?
     • Is there any generic alternative to the medicine you prescribe?
     • Can you provide me with any brochures or other reading materials I can make use of?
     • Which websites you recommend I refer to for information?

106. Do not hesitate to ask any number of other questions that you may have.

     What Doctors Usually Ask Heart Disease Patients

     Doctors are most likely to ask the following questions to heart disease patients during initial appointment.

107. When did you first notice these symptoms?
108. Have these symptoms been occasional or continuous?
109. How severe are these symptoms?
110. What if anything, seems likely to improve symptoms?
111. What if anything, seems likely to be worsening symptoms?
112. Are you having any family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or any other serious illnesses?

113. In the meanwhile it is never to make changes in lifestyle for the heart patient. They can try quitting smoking if they do, eat healthy diets & become much more physically active. These work as primary lines of defense against heart disease & associated complications.

     Tests & Diagnosis for Cardiac Treatments

     Patients are required to undergo these tests for diagnosing heart disease depending upon the condition which the doctors think patients have. Doctors are most likely to perform a physical examination irrespective of the heart disease patients have alongside asking personal & family medical history of the patient. Besides chest x-ray & blood tests, other tests meant to diagnose heart disease may include the following.

114. Electrocardiogram (ECG) –

115.  ECG effectively records these types of electrical signals & which can help the doctor detect any type of irregularities in the structure & heart rhythms.

116. Holter Monitoring – 

117. This is a portable device which the patient can wear in order to record continuous ECG & which is usually done for 24 – 72 hours of time. Holter monitoring is also used for detecting heart rhythm irregularities which are not found during regular ECG examination.

118. Echocardiogram –

119.  This is a noninvasive examination which includes ultrasound of chest while showing detailed images of the structure & function of the heart.

120. Cardiac Catheterization – 

121. A short sheath (tube) is inserted into artery or vein in arm or groin area during this test. A hollow & flexible guide catheter (long tube) is subsequently inserted into the sheath. Aided by x-rays on a monitor, doctors will thread the guide catheter through the artery or vein until it reaches the heart. Pressure in the heart chambers can then be measured & dye can also be injected. These dyes are visible on x-rays & which eventually help doctors see flow of blood through the patients’ heart, valves & blood vessels in order to check for any abnormalities.

122. Cardiac Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan – 

123. This is a test which is often utilized for checking problems of the heart. Cardiac CT scan patients lie upon a table attached to a doughnut-shaped machine. X-ray tube inside the machine is designed to rotate around the body & collect images of the chest & heart.

124. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – 

125. Heart disease conditions generally vary by condition. Like for example, patients having heart infection are most likely to be given antibiotics. Generally, treatments for heart disease invariably include the following.

126. Changes in Lifestyle – 

127. Lifestyle changes include eating low-fat & low-sodium diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake & getting at least 30 minutes of modern exercise on most days of the week.

128. Medications –

129.  When lifestyle changes alone are not enough, doctors may prescribe medications in order to control heart disease. These medications will however depend upon the type of heart disease.

130. Medical Procedures Including Surgical Intervention –

131.  When medications are also not proved useful, it is quite possible that doctors may recommend surgery or some other specific procedure. Type of procedure will however depend upon the type of heart disease & the extent of damage to the patients’ heart.

     Types of Cardiac Treatments

     ·Surgery for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

     Basically a weakened area in upper part of aorta which is a major blood vessel feeding blood to body, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm is also known as Thoracic Aneurysm & Aortic Dissection (TAAD) as it can lead to tear in artery wall causing life-threatening bleeding. Although slow-growing & small TAAD may never rupture, but fast-growing large aneurysms are much likely to do so. Therefore treatments may often vary from watchful waiting to emergency surgery depending upon the size & growth rate of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Surgery for TAAD nevertheless, will need to be planned in accordance with condition. Cardiac diagnostic services in India are excellent & will eventually help international patients plan best treatments for a variety of medical conditions.

     ·Endovascular Stent Graft

     Endovascular Stent Graft is a tube utilized in surgery. It is composed of fabric supported & strengthened by a metal mesh. Coronary Stent Surgery is used for a variety of medical conditions involving blood vessels, but most commonly to reinforce weak spots in arteries called aneurysms. Blood pressure & other associated factors over time are found to create this weak bulge like balloon in arteries which can enlarge to rupture in cases. Stent grafts are designed to tightly seal above & below aneurysms. As this graft is stronger than the weakened artery, it allows blood to pass through it without pushing or straining on the bulge. Surgeons typically use Endovascular Stent Graft to repair conditions arising out of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

     ·Coronary Angiography

     also known as Arteriography is a medical imaging technique utilized to visualize the inner view of blood vessels & organs inside the body. Laying particular interest in veins, arteries & heart chambers, the traditional method involves injecting radio-opaque contrast agent into the blood vessel while using x-ray based techniques like fluoroscopy for imaging. The resulting image of blood vessels is called angiograph or an angiogram. However, Angiography is not the best method for determining the presence or absence of atheroma or atherosclerosis within arterial walls.

      

     ·Coronary Angioplasty

     Coronary Angioplasty is a great non-surgical procedure which can be utilized to treat certain heart diseases including blocked heart arteries. Stent placement can also be ideally performed using Angioplasty. This procedure is typically performed in Cath Labs (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory) with help of a specialized cardiologist along with a team of cardiovascular technicians & nurses. Alongside relaxation medications, the surgeon will numb the site with local anesthesia where the catheter will be inserted. The main surgical procedure will last for about 90 – 150 minutes, but preparation & recovery time add several hours. Patients will normally be asked to stay overnight at hospital for observation. Best Angioplasty treatments in India also include Peripheral Angioplasty Surgery.

     ·Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

     Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) or Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is a surgical procedure restoring blood flow to heart muscle by diverting normal course around a section of blocked artery in heart. CABG uses another healthy blood vessel or graft taken from patient’s chest, arm, abdomen or leg so as to connect arteries in heart to bypass disease or blocked area. CABG or Coronary Artery Heart Surgery effectively improves blood flow to heart & which undoubtedly is a good option for treating heart disease. Symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath due to poor blood flow to heart & most often relieved through CABG along with an improvement in functioning of heart. India is well known for low cost treatments for heart diseases. Cardiac Surgery procedures including Bypass Surgery is world class & available for just a fraction of the cost you will have to pay anywhere else in the world. Your heart disease treatment in India in fact would be heartening in many ways.

     ·Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

     Heart valve replacement surgery procedure is required when any one of the four heart valves involved in normal functioning of the heart does not function properly. In treatment of heart valve disease, cardiac surgeons generally repair or replace defective heart valves. Diseases which can be addressed by heart valve surgery include aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, pulmonary valve disease & tricuspid valve disease. Results derived from heart valve surgery are prolonged & improve quality of life of the patient with reduced symptoms of disease enabled by preserving normal function of heart muscle. Although open heart surgery involves some amount of risk, most major complications are now quite rare due to technological advancements & improved techniques in surgery.

      

     ·Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

     As an alternative to open-heart surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery is normally performed through small incisions made on the right side of the chest. Cardiac surgeons are able to operate from between ribs this way without splitting the breastbone. This in turn causes less pain & much quicker recovery time for most patients. Moreover, while using minimally invasive cardiac surgery, heart surgeons have better view of some parts of the heart when compared to open heart surgery. However, both surgical procedures require temporary stoppage of heart & diversion of blood flow from heart with help of the heart-lung machine. Nevertheless, only a cardiac surgeon can determine if minimally invasive cardiac surgery is the right operative procedure in a particular case.

     ·Robotic Cardiac Surgery

     Robot-Assisted Heart Surgery or Closed-Chest Heart Surgery mimics exact maneuvers performed in traditional open-heart surgery by a surgeon only by using robotic arms in this case. Working from a remote computer console the surgeon is able to view your heart in a magnified 3D high-definition image on a monitor. His hand movements from remote console are precisely translated by robotic arms at the operating table moving in tandem with surgeon’s wrist. Assisted by another surgeon & surgical team who change instruments & tools attached to robotic arm, Robotic Cardiac Surgery has in fact changed the way heart operations are now performed.

     ·Pacemaker Implant Surgery is normally performed while the patient remains awake. It typically takes a few hours of time while the patient will be sedated & local area numbed for surgery. During this procedure one or more insulated flexible wires are inserted through a major vein near or under collarbone & guided to the heart with help of x-ray. One end of these wires is secured to appropriate position in the heart & the other end is attached to the pulse generator normally implanted under the skin beneath collarbone. A single day stay at the hospital is normally recommended to ensure the pacemaker is programmed according to your needs. A revisit is often scheduled to verify the correctness of settings. Subsequently, pacemakers can also be remotely checked using cell-phones or radiofrequency signals. Pacemakers are designed to transmit & receive information so your doctor can access data which includes heart rate & rhythm, along with the functioning of pacemaker & battery life.

     ·Cardiac Radiofrequency Ablation

     Cardiac Radiofrequency Ablation is largely utilized to scar small areas in heart which are causing heart rhythm problems. Planned to eliminate abnormal electrical rhythms or signals moving through heart, small wires called electrodes are placed inside heart so as to measure electrical activity during procedure. These very electrodes are also useful in helping destroy bad areas within heart when diagnosed. Normally performed in a hospital with trained staff, the team includes cardiologists trained in electrophysiology, nurses & technicians, in a safe & controlled setting. Cardiac Ablation is a lengthy procedure which may last for about 4 hours. Your heart will be closely monitored by the surgeon all through this procedure. Heart rhythm problems can often be dangerous if left untreated.

     ·Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

     Pediatric Heart Surgery is complex procedure mostly targeting repair of congenital heart defects. Some common ailments affecting hearts of children include Arrhythmia, Cardiomyopathy, Raised Cholesterol Levels, DiGeorge Syndrome, Heart Murmurs, Heart Failure, Kawasaki Disease, Rheumatic Fever, High Blood Pressure, & Stroke. While AVAN MediTour   covers most children’s cardiac ailments, common pediatric heart surgery procedures include Vascular Surgery, Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery or VSD Closure Surgery & Heart Failure Surgery.

     ·Cardiothoracic Surgery

     Cardiothoracic Surgery is commonly known as heart surgery which is performed on heart by cardiac surgeons. There are various sorts of issues which require cardiovascular surgery like ischemic heart disease complications, valvular heart disease treatments, correct congenital cardiac diseases, rheumatic heart diseases, endocarditis & artherosclerosis. Sometimes it also involves heart transplantation.

     ·Heart Transplant SurgeryIt is just as the name suggests & is used to transplant a diseased heart with a healthy heart from another. It is generally performed on patients facing last stage of heart failure. Heart failure is basically a situation in which the heart is weak or injured, which results in lesser blood pumping to fulfill body’s requirement.

     Lifestyle & Home Remedies for Cardiac Problems

     Heart diseases can often be improved & even prevented in some cases by making certain changes in lifestyle. Making the following changes in lifestyle can effectively help a person improve heart health.

132. Quit Smoking – 

133. Smoking is in fact a major risk for heart disease patients, especially atherosclerosis patients. Quitting smoking therefore is the best way to reduce risk of heart disease & its associated complications.

134. Control Blood Pressure – 

135. Take blood pressure measurements at least once every two years. If the blood pressure is higher than normal or if the patient is having history of heart disease, doctors may recommend more frequent measurements. Optimal blood pressure would be lesser than 120 systolic & 80 diastolic as measured in mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).

136. Keeping Check on Cholesterol – 

137. Ask doctors for a baseline cholesterol test when you are in the 20s & subsequently at lease every 5 years. People need to start testing earlier especially in case high cholesterol runs in the family. Doctors usually recommend more frequent tests in case results are not within desired limits. Most people however aim for LDL level to be below 130 milligrams per deciliter or 3.4 millimoles per liter. In case where the patient is having other factors for heart disease, they should aim for LDL below 100 mg/dL. For patients who are at very high risk of heart disease, like those who already have diabetes or had a heart attack, should aim for LDL even lower, below 70 mg/dL.

138. Diabetes Under Control – 

139. Tight blood sugar control for patients having diabetes will help in reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

140. Exercise – 

141. Exercising helps in achieving & maintaining healthy weight & controlling diabetes, high blood pressure & elevated levels of cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease. For patients having heart defect or heart arrhythmia, there could be some restrictions on activities they can do. They should therefore ensure to do so. With permission from the doctor, patients can aim at charting out a 30 – 60 minute physical activity program for most days of the week.

142. Eat Healthy Foods – 

143. Diet which is heart-healthy & based on whole grains, vegetables & fruits & which is low in saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol & added sugar will be helpful in controlling weight, cholesterol & blood pressure.

144. Maintaining Healthy Weight – 

145. Being overweight generally increases risk of developing heart disease. Waist circumference of 35 inches or less along with BMI which is less than 25 should be the ideal goal of people for treating & preventing heart disease.

146. Managing Stress – 

147. It would be sensible to reduce stress as much as possible. People should practice techniques for management of stress, like deep breathing & muscle relaxation.

148. Dealing with Depression – 

149. Being depressed significantly increases risk of developing heart disease. People should therefore talk to the doctor in case they feel uninterested or hopeless in life.

150. Practicing Good Hygiene – 

151. It would be sensible to stay away from people having infectious diseases like colds. It is recommended that people should regularly wash hands, get vaccinated against flu & brush & floss teeth regularly in order to keep well.

     People should make it a point to undergo regular medical checkups. Early detection & early treatment will set the stage for better heart health lasting a lifetime.

     Coping & Support for Cardiac Patients

     People may feel upset, frustrated or overwhelmed upon learning that they have heart disease. Fortunately there are means & ways to help cardiac patients cope with heart disease for improving their condition. Some of these include the following.

152. Cardiac Rehabilitation – 

153. Cardiac rehabilitation is most often recommended to improve treatment & speedy recovery for patients having cardiovascular disease which has caused heart attack or which has required surgical intervention for correction. Cardiac rehabilitation generally involves nutritional counseling, levels of monitored exercise, emotional support along with education & support for making lifestyle changes in order to reduce risk of heart operations.

154. Support Groups – 

155. Turning to family & friends for support is essential, but then if patients need more help, they should speak with doctors for joining a support group. Heart disease patients should realize that talking to others with similar problems about concerns they are having can be very helpful.

156. Continuing Medical Checkups –

157.  Heart disease patients having chronic or recurring heart conditions should regularly check in with doctors in order to make sure that that their heart condition is being properly managed.

     Preventive Measures for Cardiac Problems

     There are certain types of heart diseases, like heart defects which cannot be prevented. However, there are many other types of heart diseases which can be prevented by making some changes in lifestyle. These changes which can improve a person’s quality of life include the following.

158. Quit smoking
159. Practicing good hygiene
160. Reducing & managing stress
161. Maintaining healthy weight
162. Eating a diet which is low in salt & saturated fat
163. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day (most weekdays)
164. Controlling other health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol & high blood pressure

165. Medical Tourism in India for Cardiac Problems

     After championing Open Heart Surgery in the past, Indian cardiac surgeons have effortlessly moved on to minimally invasive techniques & robotic surgery to resolve a variety of cardiothoracic problems. Cost of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) & ICD Surgery cost in India is comparatively much lower than anywhere else across the world. Moreover, ICD Implant hospital facilities in the subcontinent are some of the best global institutions. Cardiac care in India is capable of correcting most life-threatening conditions. Some of the other affordable cardiac surgery procedures offered in India include Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery, Pacemaker Implantation Surgery, Biventricular ICD Surgery, & Heart Transplant.

     Choosing AVAN MediTour  for Afforable Cardiac Surgery

     Some of the best world renowned top heart surgeons provide best angioplasty in India. Bypass surgery in India is excellent & has gained immense international repute. Best heart treatments in India are available at a fraction of the cost international patients would have to pay elsewhere. Advanced cardiac surgery procedures are available in state-of-the-art medical facilities using world-class sophisticated technology. Affordable cardiac treatments in India are performed by extremely competent doctors who have contributed to global recognition of this country as a leading healthcare industry. India is a specialist destination for cardiac treatment procedures. AVAN MediTour   is associated with the best nationally & internationally accredited hospital multispecialty hospitals in the country so as to offer a wide spectrum of affordable solutions to people from all parts of the world.