Cardiological diagnostics supervised by Dr. Med. Stefanie Holle-Wölfel
What is meant by cardiological diagnostics?
Cardiology is the study of the heart, its structure, function and possible diseases of the cardiovascular system. At the specialist internists Sauerlach you are in the best hands to have your complaints treated by modern and individual care. Regardless of whether it is a question of high blood pressure, prevention of coronary artery disease, follow-up treatment after a heart attack, cardiac muscle weakness or valvular heart disease. We are at your disposal with all our experience. An always open ear competently to the side. For cardiological diagnostics, we have various examination and treatment methods at our disposal, which we would like to present to you below.
How does echocardiography work?
Echocardiography is an ultrasound examination of the heart and forms the basis for further diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms. In echocardiography, sound waves are emitted into the body by an ultrasound machine, reflected by the organs in the body and received again by the machine's transducer. The information received in this way is displayed pictorially and makes it possible to z.B. To assess the heart cavities and the pumping function of the heart. The treatment is uncomplicated. Can be performed painlessly. In addition to echocardiography, color-coded duplex sonography can be used to determine. Doppler sonography is used to examine the blood flow. The speed and direction of the blood flow is displayed in color and analyzed.
What can be assessed with echocardiography?
– heart size and heart muscle function with z.B. Signs of previous heart attacks or heart muscle weakness – Wall thickness of the heart muscle (important in cases of high blood pressure and congenital heart muscle diseases) – Visualization and assessment of heart valve function (constriction, known as stenosis, or backflow, known as insufficiency) – Malformation within the heart, e.B. Defects in the cardiac septum and changes in the aorta – Evidence of fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac (pericardial effusion) – Blood clots in the heart's internal organs
How does an exercise ECG work??
Exercise ECG (ergometry) is the recording of an electrocardiogram under physical stress. This examination is usually performed in a sitting position on a bicycle ergometer. If you z.B. If you suffer from shortness of breath or a feeling of pressure in the chest, the recording of a resting ECG does not provide sufficient information. Only during the load by driving on the Ergometer the typical ECG changes show up, which permit conclusions on blood circulation disturbances of the coronary vessels. We evaluate these ECG changes and decide on the basis of the findings whether further examinations, such as imaging of the coronary vessels using computer tomography or a cardiac catheter, are necessary.
In healthy people, ergometry can be used to determine the individual performance limit and exercise capacity z.B. Before starting an exercise program such as jogging or cycling.
How does a long-term ECG work??
When the pulse gets out of sync and becomes irregular – slow, fast, or a combination of all of these – this is called cardiac arrhythmia. A feeling of heart stuttering, misfiring, fluttering or speeding occurs. In the worst case, unconsciousness can also occur.
The normal resting ECG is not sufficient for an accurate assessment of the cardiac arrhythmia. In these cases a long-term ECG is recorded. This is done with the help of a small digital recording device that records each heartbeat for 24 hours, up to a duration of 72 hours in special cases. The data is then read into a computer and evaluated.
It is not uncommon for patients to experience no symptoms whatsoever despite significant, sometimes even dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. In these cases, the long-term ECG is a great diagnostic aid.
How does long-term blood pressure measurement work??
Long-term blood pressure measurement is used for general diagnostics or to check the effectiveness of drug treatment in patients with high blood pressure. This involves placing a blood pressure cuff on your upper arm. The blood pressure is then recorded by a device for up to 24 hours through regular measurements. We evaluate the collected data. Discuss the further procedure with you depending on the findings.