Hello, my name is Gregory. When I was a young lad, I had to enter the health care world in an unexpected way. I developed a serious disease out of the blue that took doctors by surprise. I went through so many different testing procedures before my doctors could diagnose the rare disease. Everyone around me reeled as they tried to understand the purpose and process of the diagnostic tests. I hope to help others understand these important tests better through this website. Please come by often to learn all you need to know about medical diagnostics and working closely with health care professionals.
Talking About Diagnostic Tests For Medical Care
Cardiac Care Centers Are Not Just For Heart Attack Patients
Nanja Bongers
If a patient has a heart attack, they are generally sent to a cardiac care center for ongoing observation and treatment. But what many people do not realize is that cardiac care centers are not just for heart attack patients. These specialized hospital units actually care for patients with a wide array of heart and circulatory system disorders, including the following.
Unstable Angina
Angina is a condition in which some of your heart muscle tissue does not get enough oxygen, typically because the arteries leading to your heart are partially blocked by plaque. When angina is classified as unstable, that means it is severe enough that you're at risk for a heart attack in the near future. Symptoms of unstable angina include chest pain, shortness of breath, and weakness.
Patients with unstable angina may be admitted to a cardiac care center so they can be observed and then scheduled for bypass surgery before they end up having a heart attack. Being in a cardiac care center ensures that if, for some reason, the patient has a heart attack before surgery can be performed, they are seconds away from having the appropriate care that can save their life.
Decompressed Heart Failure
Also known as compressed heart failure, this condition occurs when your heart is simply not able to pump out enough blood to keep all of your body's tissues oxygenated. In other words, your heart is still working, but it just can't keep up with your body's needs. Heart failure can be caused by plaque buildup in the arteries, a previous heart attack, or high blood pressure. It can lead to fluid retention, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats.
The treatment for decompressed heart failure include bypass surgery, the insertion of a pacemaker, and heart transplant. Your doctor may want you to stay in a cardiac care center in preparation for having any of these procedures performed and also when you're recovering from treatment.
Serious Arrhythmias
Some heart arrhythmias aren't overly concerning, but others are. If your arrhythmia has your doctor concerned that your heart may stop beating, that your heart won't be able to keep up, or that you will have a heart attack in the near future, they may want you to go into a cardiac care center. At this center, they can use sophisticated monitors to measure and assess what's going on with your heart and make sure any problems are noted early. While you're there, you may need to have a pacemaker installed, too.
Cardiac care centers are not just for heart attack patients, so do not be surprised if your doctor sends you there for another heart-related ailment. Often, this is the safest place for a patient with any serious heart condition.
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