Heart Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Most heart attacks happen when a clot in the coronary artery blocks the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. A blockage that is not treated within a few hours causes the affected heart muscle to die.
Image: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Diseases and Conditions Index
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Symptoms

It is very important to learn the signs of a heart attack. Fast action can save lives—maybe your own.

Chest pain or discomfort—it may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. It may feel like indigestion. You may also feel pain in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Shortness of breath—often comes along with chest discomfort but can also occur before.
Other symptoms—breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness, upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the neck, jaw, or stomach.

Diagnosis

Key heart tests include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)—This records the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts and relaxes. The ECG can detect abnormal heartbeats, some areas of damage, inadequate blood flow, and heart enlargement.
Blood test—Checks for enzymes or other substances released when cells begin to die. They are “markers” of the amount of damage to your heart.
Nuclear scan—Reveals the damaged areas of the heart that lack blood flow. It also can show problems with the heart’s pumping action. The test uses radioactive tracers to study how blood flows in your heart.
Coronary angiography (or arteriography)—A test that uses dye and special X-rays to show the inside of your coronary arteries.

Treatment

You will need to change your lifestyle to help prevent or control coronary heart disease (CHD) and so reduce the risk of a first or repeat heart attack. Sometimes, though, you may need medicines.

Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, keep blood clots from forming. These drugs help to keep arteries open in those who have had a previous heart bypass or other artery-opening procedure, such as coronary angioplasty.
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) prevent blood from clotting or prevent existing clots from getting larger. They can keep harmful clots from forming in your heart, veins, or arteries. Clots can block blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke. Common names for anticoagulants are “warfarin” and “heparin.”
Digitalis makes the heart contract harder when the heart’s pumping function has been weakened. It also slows some fast heart rhythms.
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors stop production of a chemical that narrows blood vessels. They help control high blood pressure. You may also take an ACE inhibitor after a heart attack to help the heart pump blood better. People with heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs, may also take them.
Beta blockers slow the heart and make it beat with less contracting force, so blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. They are used for high blood pressure, chest pain, and to prevent repeat attacks.
Nitrates (nitroglycerin) relax blood vessels and stop chest pain.
Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels. They are used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain.
Diuretics decrease fluid in the body. They treat high blood pressure. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as “water pills.”
Blood cholesterol-lowering agents decrease LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in the blood.
Thrombolytic agents (clot busting drugs) are given during a heart attack to break up a blood clot in a coronary artery and restore blood flow.

What Is Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)?

Many people hear the term “acute coronary syndrome” related to heart attack. But just what is it? Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a life-threatening form of coronary heart disease (CHD) that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygenrich blood. ACS includes myocardial infarction (MI), also known as a heart attack, and unstable angina, or sudden, severe chest pain that typically occurs when a person is at rest.

Every year, ACS affects an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States and another 1.4 million people in Europe. Even though patients receive intense ACS management while in the hospital, new treatments are needed to reduce the risk of acute heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. ACS patients receive anticoagulant drugs but this treatment is limited to the hospital.

Orthopedics Definition

Orthopedics is the field of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of the musculosketetal system, particularly the spine, joints, and muscles. Orthopedics mainly deals with correction of disorders and deformities related to the musculosketal system; hence, orthopedics is central to the treatment of back pain.

Orthopedic care can employ various pain management techniques, manual treatment, physical therapy, and bracing to treat a variety of spinal dysfunctions including chronic back pain, scoliosis, and sacrioiliac joint dysfunction.

Sinusitis:

• Sinusitis refers to the inflammation of the sinus passages
• Sinus passages are present around:
o Forehead
o Cheeks
o Eyes
o Nasal bones
• These passages produce mucus which prevents infections

Symptoms to look for:

• Excessive sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Pressure around head, eyes and face
• Lack of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Difficulty in breathing

Causes:

• Inflamed sinus causes mucus to collect resulting in bacterial growth

Natural home remedy using black cumin seeds:

1. Take a clean cloth
2. Add 1 tsp black cumin seeds
3. Wrap the cloth
4. Place near the nose and inhale

Natural home remedy using cumin seeds and honey:

1. Roast 1 tsp cumin seeds
2. Crush them
3. Add 1 tbsp honey
4. Mix well
5. Consume every day

Natural home remedy using fenugreek seeds:

1. Take 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
2. Add 4 cups of water
3. Boil the mixture till water level reduces to half
4. Strain the liquid
5. Drink 4 cups of this liquid every day

• This provides relief from fever and eliminates toxins

Tips:

• Consume garlic and onions as a part of diet

These remedies are based on the principles of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing, and are completely natural, non-invasive, and can be prepared at home. Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist. Refer to the terms of use.

Acupuncture is the insertion of high quality disposable sterile stainless steel needles into the skin.

Amanda Roth Acupuncture treatmentAt the AHC the policy is one needle per acupuncture point which is disposed of after it is withdrawn. The needles are designed to insert with minimum sensation moreover, many patients, after the needles have been inserted are unsure if the needles are there. Needles insert into acupuncture points which are gateways into channels of energy in your body. These channels or meridians of energy keep you well and balanced.

Your acupuncturist may apply manual (i.e. twisting) or an electrical stimulation (Electroacupunture) to the needles. Sensations may be experienced after insertions normal sensations include warmth and or tingling, dull ache and/or a feeling of heaviness.

Please inform us immediately if you feel a sharp and or burning pain. Acupuncture is used to keep the body, mind and spirit balanced, to heal specific disease and as preventive medicine to strengthen the body.

Auricular (ear) Acupuncture is a microsystem (small system) whereas the body as a whole is considered a macrosystem (large system) moreover, the whole body is represented in the ear and can therefore treat a variety of conditions. Small needles or seeds may be taped on to specific ear points to enhance and prolong the treatment.

Three-edge needle is a procedure whereby the acupuncturist allows or promotes blood to escape from the acupuncture point in order to bring the required effect to a body area or condition.

Plum blossom needling or Seven star needling, utilizes a tapping instrument, containing seven tiny needles, the intention is to stimulate the channel/meridian overtop of the area to be treated.

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