Can an EKG Detect A Heart Valve Problem?
Yes, an EKG test can detect a heart valve problem. Heart valve disease can be tested by a number of diagnosis tests. Out of them electrocardiography or EKG is one of the methods to detect heart valve problems. It is a simple non-invasive test that can be done in the doctor’s chamber itself.
How Does the Electrocardiography (EKG) work?
The electrocardiography or EKG is a diagnostic method to detect heart problems. A monitor known as the electrocardiogram records the electrical signal produced by the heart. A graph of the heart beat shows up in the monitor. In case of any underlying heart problem, it can be easily detected through graph. In this way doctors can easily detect the heart problems in their chamber itself when the patient comes for a visit.
What are the Other Methods Of Detecting Heart Valve Disease?
There are a variety of diagnostic tests aimed at detection of heart valve disease. They include-
Chest X-Ray: Heart valve disease may be detected through X-rays of the chest. Due to the radioactive rays the internal organs and their functioning can be seen well under X-ray.
Echocardiography: Echocardiography is another method to detect problems with the functioning of the heart and the heart vessels. The mechanism of the test involves usage of ultrasound in order to pick up the waves of the sound which move throughout the heart. Such waves are seen in form of images.
Nuclear Scanning: Radioactive waves, magnetic fields and other ultrasonic procedures are used to view images of the internal organs in the body through a procedure called nuclear scanning.
Angiography: Angiography helps in determining the intensity of the problem. The test requires a contrast medium to be introduced in the body for problem detection. It is a minimally invasive procedure.
What are the Surgical Procedures Available For Treating Heart Valve Disease?
When the heart valve disease is severe enough affecting the blood circulation of the body, the doctor may recommend the patient to go for a surgery as a method to treat the problem.There are two methods of surgery-
Valve Repair Surgery- When the situation is such that the heart valve problem can be treated by repairing the leak or blockage, as the case may be, the doctor may ask the patient to go for heart valve repair surgery. The surgery basically involves adjusting and altering few tissues and structures of the already present heart valve in order to remove the leakage or block.
Valve Replacement Surgery- In case the problematic heart valve cannot be repaired, valve replacement surgery has to be recommended. In such a surgery, the native valve is first removed and then a new prosthetic heart valve is put in. With medical advancements, prosthetic heart valves come in different sizes according to the patient’s needs and requirements. Most commonly, two of the prosthetic valves are used namely the tissue valves and the mechanical valves.
How can the Occurrence Of Heart Valve Disease Be Prevented?
Although there is no specific method to prevent heart valve disease, general preventive methods can be taken-
Look for Infection: One of the important steps to prevent heart valve disease is to look for any infection and take necessary treatment to get rid of the same. Dental infections or rheumatic fever are an important cause of heart valve diseases. It is important to look for symptoms of such infections and visit a doctor if need be. Daily Exercise and Diet: It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep heart valve disease at bay. Regular exercise and heart healthy diet keeps a person active and fit devoid of any disease.
Routine Checkups: A person must go for routine checkups to the doctor even if there are no symptoms to ensure proper functioning of all the internal organs.
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