Increasing presence of calcium deposits in coronary arteries will gradually lead to their narrowing down, triggering a heart attack if preventive measures are not taken. Everyone above the age of 18, especially those with a family history of heart blockage, should undergo the calcium-score screening heart test once a year.

A calcium-score screening heart test, also called coronary calcium scan, uses Computerized Tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in coronary arteries. Ultra-low dose CT scan can detect coronary calcium score. It takes roughly five minutes and uses only 1/50th radiation of a conventional CT scan.

The scanner takes multiple pictures of the heart in thin sections, which are then combined to produce a view that reveals calcium deposits as white specks. The machine’s software then calculates a score based on the amount of calcification. Any score above zero indicates the presence of plaque.  we are currently seeing a 20% positive rate for heart calcium among people getting themselves tested. This means that one in five people carry calcium deposits in their heart arteries, which will gradually keep increasing if nothing is done.

High risk of heart attack or any other heart disease

The calcium score reflects the total area and density of calcium deposits in heart arteries. A score of zero means no calcium is seen in the heart, translating to a very low chance of heart attack in the future. When calcium is present, the higher the score, the bigger is the risk of heart disease. A score of 100 to 300 indicates moderate plaque deposits and is associated with a relatively high risk of heart attack or any other heart disease over the next 3-5 years. A score greater than 300 is a warning sign of extremely high risk of disease and heart attack.

A change in lifestyle is necessary

If the calcium score is high, you have to consult a cardiologist for specific treatment. A change in lifestyle is necessary, apart from taking recommended medicines. I advise people to continue moderate exercise but not do vigorous exercise. The more you exercise, the stronger your heart gets, which lowers the risk. Eat healthy foods such as whole grains and reduce the intake of refined foods and sugar. Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol increase the risk of heart problems. High cholesterol levels play a major role in causing plaques in your heart, hence controlling intake of oily, fried food and cholesterol rich foods will also help reduce your risk of heart attacks.

In 2016, the estimated prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in India was 54.5 million. Mortality associated with CVD in Indians is 20–50% higher than any other population. CVDs contributed to 28% of total deaths in the country in 2016.

Dr. Tausif Ahmed Thangalvadi

Medical Director

NURA diagnostic centre

The post Calcium deposits in coronary arteries – early sign of heart trouble appeared first on Health Vision.

The most commonly performed adult heart surgery all over the world  is coronary artery bypass surgery popularly known as bypass surgery. First bypass surgery was done in India in 1975. In1990s about 10000 surgeries were performed  annually. Now about 60000 surgeries are performed in India, annually. Bypass surgery means, to overcome blocks in blood vessels of heart and create new pathways in heart blood vessels so that heart gets new channels of blood supply whichprevents future heart attack.

Normally there are three arteries in heart which supply blood to the heart muscles. Over a period of time these arteries get blocked due to different reasons.That leads to chest pain initially which is called as angina and later on leads to heart attack.

Blocks in heart arteries are a very common problem

Blocks in heart arteries are a very common problem in present generation and it is going to increase with rapidly changing lifestyle in India. These blocks are commonly caused by smoking, diabetes, high BP, excess cholesterol in blood, sedentary lifestyle, stress, family history of heart blocks,  poor diet habits and kidney problems.

Blocks in heart can be tackled by two ways either by Stenting or Bypass surgery. These two procedures everybody should understand because stenting seems like an easier and quicker choice as compared to bypass surgery.

Angioplasty and stenting means, the blocks in heart artery to some extent opened up by a small balloon and an artificial tube is inserted across the block. This is ideal in case of a sudden heart attack or single block in arteries. It is not suitable for people with main artery blocks and for patients three and more blocks.

Stenting may solve problem temporarily

Stenting may solve problem temporarily but in long term it leads to problems. Multiple stenting is unnatural, a foreign body is inserted in heart. These stents get blocked over a period of time especially more so in diabetics. The pattern of re-blockis unpredictable, it can happen any time.

A person spends lot of  time taking care of his heart in future life with stents. Multiple hospital admissions, re angiograms, re procedures and ultimately heart function reduces over a period of time. Many times, people are afraid of operations so they opt for stenting.

Bypass surgery is superior to stenting

Bypass surgery is most natural way of treating this problem.  In this operation patients own blood; vessels are used to bypass the blocks. This operation is one-time treatment which clears all blocks in one go in the most natural way.Surgery generally takes 3 to 5 hours.

In this procedure patients own artery from chest and veins from legs are used for bypass the blocks. All the blocks are cleared in this operation at one time . Patient is kept on ventilator post operatively and a few days in ICU. Normally total hospital package is given for 8 days by most of the  hospitals.

Bypass surgery is superior to stenting as it gives a long-term benefit. It gives longer life, better quality life, much lesser hospital visits in future life and much lesser consumption of medication over lifetime of patient. Reducing cost of treatment for whole lifetime  is important benefit for Indian population with bypass surgery than stents.

People are worried for life risk when they think about heart surgery. It is a most commonly performed operation all over the world. This surgery is very safe operation. Success rate is about 99%.

Advances in bypass surgery

There are advances in bypass surgery. We try and do surgery on beating heart without using heart lung machine whenever possible. In India most of  Bypass surgeries are carried out on beating heart. Few patients we operate  by smaller cuts or key hole surgery, this gives smaller cuts to patients, less pain and quick recovery of patients.

However, which technique to use for surgery, depends on patient’s problem. Surgeon performs operations keeping  safety of patient in mind. Patients resume normal life and return to work by about one month. Self-driving re recommended after 6 weeks.

Patients may lead absolutely normal life up to 20 yrs and above  after  bypass surgery.

Comparison between Bypass surgery versus Stenting

Dr. Satish M. Kini
MBBS, MS, MCh, FACCS (USA)
Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon
#131, First Cross, R K garden,
New B E L road, Bangalore 560054
Mob : 9901753729
Email: smkini2000@yahoo.com

Author Dr.Satish.M.Kini  is Fellow Texas Heart institute, Houston, Texas, USA, Fellow Transplantation, Houston, Texas, USA and Fellow Royal Price Alfred hospital, Sydney, Australia. Dr.Satish.M.Kini is one of the leading Cardio-thoracic & Vascular Surgeons in Bangalore. He performs the Bypass surgery on a beating heart without using any artificial machines and   must have performed over 10,000 major surgical procedures in this field.

The post Why Bypass surgery has become common in India? – A comparison between Bypass surgery versus Stenting appeared first on Health Vision.

Don’t lose heart. Even after a heart attack, one can lead a healthy and productive life. It has been well established that even after a heart attack, taking preventive measures and avoiding the various risk factors, one can prevent further damage to the heart and prevent further heart attacks.

Even the damage to the heart can be corrected by various new methods of treatment that are available now and iff you try hard, heart attack can be prevented. After returning from hospital with proper treatment, some of the guidelines to be followed are given below:

• During the first week at home you should continue pretty much as you were doing when you left the hospital. To live on the ground floor bed room with toilet facility is ideal. However if you live on upstairs, climb stairs slowly, and if possible once a day only. Use the commode if toilet facilities are not available in the same floor.
• In the second week you should gradually increase your activities. e.g., you may climb one flight of stairs twice a day, or walk about inside the house freely as you like.
• By third and fourth week you should be able to undertake light household activities.

Physical activity should be gradually increased as weeks go by. Those patients who have been physically inactive prior to the heart attack are encouraged to become more active and to take regular exercises like walking, gentle jogging etc. on the advice of your doctors. Those who have been practicing Yoga may restart after the 2nd week. However sudden and severe form of physical exertion like sprinting, football, weight lifting, bull worker exercise, pushing a car etc., must be avoided. Outdoor physical activities are best avoided in cold windy weather. Should you feel tired initially do not get discouraged but try to concentrate on becoming more and more active. Your physical exercise programme will be advised after an exercise test.

• Many patients find benefit from a nap in the afternoon. If you don’t get good night’s sleep a sleeping tablet might help you. However don’t make a habit of this.
• DIET: If you are over-weight, you put extra strain on the heart and you should lose weight by going on a low calorie diet. Avoid fatty foods, butter, ghee, fatty meat etc. Avoid coconut preparations and coconut oil for cooking as it has high contents of cholesterol. Oils containing poly-unsaturated fats eg., Sun flower oil, can be used for cooking. Avoid heavy meals. Evening meal is preferably taken couple of hours before your bed time. Alcohol in small quantities example a glass of beer or a peg of whiskey or gin may be allowed on occasions. Avoid regular intake of alcohol or excess alcohol, as it will add to your calories and is also harmful to the heart.
• SMOKING: If you were a smoker before your heart attack then you should give it up now. This is crucial in preventing further narrowing of the coronary blood vessels. By continuing to smoke or even reducing the number, you are increasing the risk of further heart attacks.
• BACK TO WORK: Many patients with light office work should be able to return to their previous jobs by two or three months after their heart attack. Those who were doing hard physical work may have to look for lighter employment. A medical fitness certificate from your family Doctor or the hospital specialist may help you in achieving this.
• BUSINESS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: If you have had excessive business or social responsibilities and were taking on too much prior to your heart attack, then this is an opportunity to reassess your responsibilities and consider reducing some of them.
• TRAVEL AND DRIVING: You are advised not to drive vehicle for some time after leaving the hospital. When you restart, try and avoid stressful situations such as rush hour traffic or long journeys at first. If you think it is too much of a strain, you are advised to give up driving completely.
• SEX LIFE: Sexual intercourses are best avoided for about a month after leaving the hospital as it puts extra strain on your heart. However as your physical health improves no undue restrictions are necessary.
• DRUGS: You may need to continue on drug treatment following heart attack often to provide protection for the future. The hospital specialist or your family doctor will advise you regarding this.

 Ways to reduce Heart attack

It is the fastest disease to kill people. It is our life style that is responsible for its attack. It means it is our habits that kill us.

• The chance of heart attack can be reduced by 70% with the change of our life style.
• Know to what extent you are successful from the chart given below:

Dr Mahantesh R. Charantimath
Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist

Tathagat Heart Hospital at Mallige Medical Centre premises,
No. 31/32, Crescent Road, Bengaluru – 01
Phone : 080- 22358888 | 9900356000
E-mail: mahanteshrc67@gmail.com
http://tathagathearthospital.com/

The post How to lead a normal life after heart attack? appeared first on Health Vision.

Severe crushing pain in the chest, often spreading to one or both arms, the neck and the jaw is the main symptom of a heart attack.

Patient becomes breathless and sweats profusely, he may suffer sudden giddiness,

Management – If conscious

• Put him in a half sitting position with head and shoulder supported with pillows and knees bent. In this position hearts works economically than when a person is lying down.
• Loosen his clothing around the neck, chest and waist,
• Do not give anything to drink/eat
• Do not allow him to move as it increases strain on the heart.
• Do not allow him to fall forwards.
• Shift the patient immediately to the hospital.

External cardiac compression

• Place the casualty face upwards. Lift the jaw upwards, thus straightening the neck,
• Kneel close to the patient’s side.
• Achieve the Xiphoid notch by sliding the index finger of the hand.
• The heel of the other hand is then placed on the lower half of the sternum.
• The heel of the other (first) hand is then placed over and parallel to the hand (which is on the patient’s sternum).
• Only the heel of one hand is in contact with the lower half of the sternum. Then interlock the fingers of both the hands.
• Exert pressure vertically downwards through both arms to depress the adult sternum 1l/2 to 2 inches.
• Keep your elbow straight and to deliver pressure vertically down.
• Heel of the hand should not be removed from the chest during relaxation.
• If you are on your own do 15 compression to 2 ventilation.
• If two people are providing, give 5 compression to 1 ventilation.
• Compression and relaxation should be rhythmic and of equal duration.
• The heel of the hand should not be removed from the sternum
• Pressure on the sternum must be released, so that it can return to its normal seating position between compressions.

To know more about first aid click here

Read more on World health organisation’s tips on  Medical kit and toilet items

K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation

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