Dr. Guillermo Mazzanti Mignaqui Adult cardiologist in
Tarragona &
Reus

Stress Test

It is known as stress test or treadmill test electrocardiographic medical examination which is generally used for diagnosis and assessment of heart failure or angina. Over the years, its use has expanded the use of this test but can not be performed on all patients suffering from heart diseases because it can pose some risks for the efforts involved in their implementation. To realize this, a static or ergonometric bicycle is used, following a methodology of progression overload thereof as a strong official protocol. The patient is monitored to control the test pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption and electrocardiographic changes and clinical response to stress (pain, fatigue ...). ...

Valvular

The valve disease is a typical disease of the heart valves. The valves can be damaged for various reasons, for example infections or aging.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medical program for people suffering from heart problems. It aims to help people to have an active life and reduce the risk of other problems. It is intended for people who have suffered a stroke coración a anginoplastía, angina, heart failure, a repair or replacement of heart valves or heart transplant or lung.   ...

Atrial fibrillation

AF is the most frequent arrhythmia in daily clinical practice with a high incidence of health in terms of social cost to the point of being considered a health epidemic, representing a very high volume of hospital admissions and increasing up to five times the potential risk of To suffer a stroke in the people who suffer it, therefore requiring in a very high percentage of oral anticoagulation cases. AF is a rapid flutter of the atria, generating a high number of electrical impulses that pass to the ventricles irregularly, producing the perception of a rapid and arrhythmic pulse. As a consequence of this arrhythmia, two other types of phenomena of enormous transcendence in the individual and potentially in society and in their surroundings occur in addition to the rapid and irregular pulse. On the one hand, the loss of normal and synchronous atrial contraction with the ventricles implies a significant reduction in the mechanical efficiency of the heart as a pump, contributing to a greater degree of fatigue and fatigue, and on the other hand, this atrial flutter allows the backflow of the heart. Blood in its interior, facilitating the blood coagulation and therefore the formation of thrombi in its interior that if they move to the circulatory torrent, can produce a stroke. However, although the atria is the one that suffers the problem, the initial origin of the onset of this heart rhythm disorder originates predominantly in the pulmonary veins. Patients with this cardiac rhythm disorder are usually born with muscle fibers that abnormally connect the pulmonary veins to the left atrium and are potentially activatable in response to a series of point stimuli or specific clinical conditions, modulated very importantly by the influence Of the autonomic nervous system, which is the visceral nervous system, that of the emotions, (which we can not control), playing this, a role modulator frequently in the abnormal electrical activity of the pulmonary veins that can at a specific moment activate electrically Anomalously and generate between 300 and 600 electric pulses per minute that literally "bombard" the left atrium, causing it to lose normal heart rate and initiating this flutter. ...

Cardiac ablation

Once the electrophysiological study, and / or during the electrophysiological study, has been carried out, after having located with millimetric precision the origin of the abnormal electrical activation responsible for the tachyarrhythmia or tachycardia, to the therapeutic procedure that follows the same and consists of elimination of the Abnormal electrical tissue responsible for the arrhythmia, is called ablation, and can be performed by Radiofrequency, producing the least heat injury by Heat between 45 ° C and 60 ° C, enough to destroy the abnormal electrical tissue responsible or cold, producing In this case a freezing thermal injury, which is used in the electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins of the left atrium or even in some supraventricular tachycardias in children, with abnormal electric circuit locations near the normal cardiac conduction system, with less possibility To produce a blockage. ...

Cardiac MRI

  Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive medical diagnostic test that does not use X-rays, but creates a strong magnetic field is obtaining accurate images of the heart and vessels from many views. The signals emitted electromagnetic waves are collected and translated into images that can be observed on a monitor, allowing the clinician to study. Cardiac MRI are used especially to evaluate or diagnose the severity of heart damage following myocardial infarction and to detect the presence of tumors or masses in the heart muscle. This test typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and requires prior preparation of the patient. Furthermore, with this tool experts can perfectly distinguish the different anatomical structures for a clearer and more complete diagnosis.   ...

Cardiovascular Medicine

Cardiovascular medicine is the branch that is responsible for the circulatory system (heart, blood and blood vessels, ie arteries and veins). In particular, it refers to the branch of medical care in charge of the treatment of diseases or conditions that have to do with the heart. These disorders may include: abdominal aortic aneurysm, congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease (angina and heart attack), heart failure, heart valve problems, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), peripheral arterial disease (APP) or accident cerebrovascular. The doctors who treat these diseases are cardiologists, vascular surgeons, thoracic surgeons and primary care physicians. ...

Cardiovascular Risk

The factors that provide an cardiovascular risk are those who are associated with a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease such as cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, genetic inheritance, stress, obesity and heart rate. These agents affect both the arteries of the heart as the other parts of the body such as the brain, kidney and lower limbs. The most common consequences are myocardial infarction or cardiovascular events such as thrombosis, embolism and cerebral hemorrhage. There are aspects that predispose people to suffer them as age, sex, race and, above all, family history. Also, maintain a balanced diet also prevents the control of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. ...

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a sterol (lipid or fat) that the human body needs to function properly, but too much cholesterol in the blood is bad because it can cause heart disease and stroke, among other problems. The cholesterol tends to increase with age but usually causes no symptoms, only detected with a blood test. People with family history of overweight or consuming lots of high-fat meal are very likely to have high cholesterol levels. You can lower cholesterol by performing exercise and consumption of fruits and vegetables. ...

Congenital Heart Disease

  Congenital heart defects are abnormalities of the heart or great vessels that occur in utero. The best known and most common are: atrial communication, interventricular communication, and Ebstein anomaly Tetralogy of Fallot. Medical advances have allowed the treatment of these diseases and that more and more people with such anomalies comes with a good quality of life to adulthood. However, these heart disease require special attention and regular monitoring because they can be associated with other health problems. Currently, for the diagnosis and control of such diseases, there is a variety of techniques, such as echocardiography, cardiac catheterization or CT multidetector, an additional test suitable for the discovered congenital heart disease in adults or surgically corrected the childhood. ...

Coronary angiography

  Coronary angiography or cardiac catheterization or catheter is a diagnostic test in which images are used to study the blood vessels supplying the heart and that are not visible by conventional radiology. Is an invasive cardiology (causing pain to the patient) and is performed by inserting a catheter into an artery, usually the femoral, that through the aorta goes to the heart. whether it is a blood narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries: With this radiographic images that provide insight into what the specific problem of the patient is obtained. Despite being a very reliable test, coronary angiography can lead to complications, such as the onset of severe arrhythmias, angina pain or heart attack. There are other techniques such as computed tomography where you can inject contrast or without it, also providing information on the location of the vessels of the affected organ. ...

Coronary CT

Coronary CT is a diagnostic test that helps assess the state of the coronary arteries. It allows you to analyze very small structures but not to treat them. An image of the heart are obtained in 3 dimesiones. ...

dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart and is characterized by being weakened and enlarged. This leads to the result that the heart can not pump to the body enough blood. The main causes of this disease are coronary artery disease and hypertension. Dilated cardiomyopathy symptoms such as pain or pressure in the chest, coughing, fatigue, loss of appetite and swelling of the feet, among others. ...

Echocardiogram

  The echocardiogram is a diagnostic test based on the use of ultrasonic techniques using ultrasound emission on the chest area, heart reach several structures reflecting on them again to be collected, analyzed and represented through graphics. The echocardiographic analysis or ultrasound of the heart represents a histogram of the mobility of the heart muscle and is especially useful for the study of the functioning of heart valves and their pathology. Also, this diagnostic test is useful for post-surgical follow-metal stents them. Furthermore, the development of B-scan is a plane scanning ultrasonic viewing images in real time that allows calculation of volumes and areas of valvular orifices, which serves to complete medical diagnostics. ...

Electrocardiogram

  The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic test that is a record, with special tools (electrocardiogram) of the electrical activity of normal heart and presenting pathology. It also constitutes one of the most important knowledge and appreciation of most of the heart techniques. Also, electrocardiography provides an invaluable diagnostic aid growth of different heart chambers (atria and ventricles). In many cases, the diagnosis of congenital heart disease is known from the characteristic plot of this. In fact, the ECG provides important data for the evaluation of more than 80% of heart disease. ...

Electrophysiology Study

An Electrophysiological Study is an electrical catheterization of the heart that allows the study, diagnostic assessment and risk stratification of patients with any type of heart rhythm disorder and alteration of the conduction of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles in patients suffering Dizziness, syncope or pre syncope of unknown cause, episodes of abrupt and / or resuscitated sudden cardiac death, study of all types of tachycardias and abnormal palpitations, and adjuvant in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. This requires the introduction of a variable number of electro-catheters in charge of recording normal cardiac electrical activity of the heart, the formation of electrical impulses and the conduction of the same from the atria to the ventricles and subsequently A programmed electrical stimulation process of the heart the possible intramyocardial abnormal electric circuits responsible for originating and / or perpetuating a continuous and rapid circular movement of a tachycardia that could compromise the patient clinically. This requires a very accurate and millimetric measurement of heart activation times, in fractions of milliseconds, through complex and sophisticated methods of advanced technology that allow accurate mapping of normal and abnormal cardiac electrical activity. ...

Fatty liver

Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a disease characterized by the accumulation of fatty acids and triglycerides in liver cells. ...

Heart attack / angina

Angina is a medical pathology manifested clinically by intense thoracic pain, because of insufficient blood flow that supplies the heart through the coronary arteries usually appears abruptly and lasts a short time. Also characteristic is the feeling of constriction in chest level, often radiating to the left arm or jaw. Also, the anginal attack can cause symptoms to generalized level, as paleness, cold sweats, anxiety and strong sense of immediate death, but usually lasts a couple of minutes. Always it is a medical emergency and the medical performance in the first time is critical. Myocardial infarction would be the ultimate expression of angina. ...

Heart attack / angina pectoris

Myocardial infarction occurs when a coronary artery is blocked, dying a portion of the heart muscle. The clogged artery, blood supply to the heart is suppressed. If prolonged, the tissue dies and does not regenerate. ...

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the body in a permanent obstacle is located in the blood circulation. This may be located within the heart muscle or outside, which causes an increase in blood pressure. There are two types of heart failure: systolic, when the heart muscle can not pump blood and ridding the heart; and diastolic pressure when the heart muscles are stiff and not fill with blood. Both are treatable. First, avoid any effort that work overload of the heart, and then, deliver drugs that provide vitality to exhausted heart muscle. Additionally, when the obstacle is within the coronary arteries of coronary insufficiency talk. ...

Heart murmur

  A heart murmur is a noise comparable to that makes the air in a torch, which is usually pathological, although young children may be normal. You can listen using a device called phonendoscope, which is placed at chest level. The heart murmurs are always indicative that there is increased blood flow to heart level, either by an alteration to the level of a heart valve or a noncardiac cause. Besides, the situation blow, the sonic character, location, irradiation, and the variation by reference to the effort and the change of position, are always data to take into account because they offer a lot of information regarding the pathology that He has caused. ...

Holter blood pressure

  Holter blood pressure is a tool for measuring blood. Clinical and physical examination provide little information regarding the diagnosis of hypertension, although sometimes making casual one measurement is sufficient to determine the outcome. The monitoring of blood pressure is to perform, non-invasive way, at least three tests carried out on three different occasions. In general, the position taken by the patient is sitting comfortably and with the forearm resting squarely. The measuring device comprises an inflatable cuff with a pressure gauge (mercury sphygmomanometer) to be calibrated frequently. In the case of obese children and adults appropriate to the thickness of the arm sleeves are used to calculate the systolic pressure. To assess the results, you must consider several factors: the temperature of the room (to be nice), clothing should not compress the arm, and above all, do not eat, smoke or exposure to cold at least 30 minutes prior to the test run. ...

Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of blood cholesterol above normal levels. This increase is often associated with heart problems, diet, sex, lifestyle and endogenous synthesis. Thus the concentration of blood cholesterol hereditary and dietary factors involved, along with other related physical activity. We can distinguish two types of hypercholesterolemia. Primary, derived from problems with cholesterol transporters systems and genetic factors, and the secondary, where the increase in cholesterol is associated with certain liver, endocrine and kidney disease. ...

Hypertension

Hypertension is the increase in blood pressure either transiently, intermittent or permanent, always above a level considered normal values ​​ranging from 160 / 95mmH, according to the World Health Organization. Clinically, it can not give symptoms or, conversely, manifested in the form of severe headaches, congestion face ... Aparate, high blood pressure (hypertension) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate is one of the problems most important public health in developed countries. Hypertension is treated with general measures such as a balanced, low-fat diet and drug therapy. This will prevent in many cases the complications that can result from poorly controlled hypertension, a heart, eyes and kidneys. ...

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), or internal defibrillator is a device through which is circulated a sharp and high-voltage electric current to stop and reverse arrhythmias. It is indicated in cases of cardiorespiratory stops and in which the heart beats out of control and very quick. Under these conditions, the heart muscle is unable to pump blood into the bloodstream, so it is necessary to stop and control this arrhythmia. ICD implantation to an electrode through veins and placed under the skin generator is implanted. With the emergence of rapid arrhythmia, implantable defibrillator detects and automatically emits a loud and sudden shock, enough to send arrhythmia and heart rate returns to normal power. ...

Marfan Syndrome

  Marfan syndrome is a genetic cause clinical disease characterized by a disorder in the growth of connective tissue, mainly affecting the skeletal system, eyes, skin and cardiovascular system. This disease may also affect the lungs, at the eye level and especially on the heart, where they can cause stretching or weakening of the aorta, which is known as aneurysm or aortic dilation. The physical appearance of people with this syndrome is very characteristic and characterized by: one tall, with hands and feet disproportionate; high flexibility; deviation of the spine (scoliosis); They may have sunken chest or very prominent; and his face is narrow and thin, often with a small jaw. ...

Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome, or plurimetabolic syndrome is the association of different health problems that can occur simultaneously or in a sequence in the same patient. Insulin resistance, genetics, environment and lifestyle are the most common causes related to this syndrome that involves a number of risks to their health, so they must be controlled immediately by a specialist. The insulin resistance causes diabetes is associated with a rise in blood pressure, increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, obesity and waist area. The main causes of the appearance of this painting, especially in people over 40 years but also younger, are prolonged stress over time, poor diet, and long fasting between meals. The general pattern of these patients is that of a person who, after a period with this rhythm of life, suddenly suffer a decline in their quality of life and health (commonly called "downer") without seeming be sick. ...

Mitral regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation is a disorder of the heart's mitral valve. It is characterized by reflux of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. The mitral regurgitation surgery aims to repair the mitral valve.     ...

Myocarditis

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. It is a rare disease and can be caused by several factors: infections, allergic reactions, diseases with an immunological basis, etc. In some patients, there are no symptoms, but in most the disease is manifested by chest pain, fatigue, fever, joint pain, or shortness of breath, among other symptoms. For diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a series of tests (general analytic, an ultrasound of the heart and an electrocardiogram), and treatment aims to eradicate what caused the inflammation of the heart muscle by prescribing antibiotics or anti-inflammatory and recommendation salt diet or decreased physical activity. In many cases, recovery with proper treatment may involve the complete cure of the patient, preventing further complications such as heart failure. ...

Pacemaker

  A pacemaker is an electronic device that generates electrical impulses to the heart. They are designed for people who can not keep up and often beats properly because your natural pacemaker is not working properly. The artificial pacemaker is a cardiac pacing system that controls and monotoriza cardiac electrical activity and causes electrical impulses are triggered. There are two types of pacemakers: temporary and permanent. Permanent pacemaker implantation is done by subcutaneous implantation of the generator, while temporary pacemaker generator is implanted in the patient and can be done transcutaneously or intravenously. ...

Pacemaker surgery

  A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is inserted subcutaneously within the body whose function is to maintain the proper heart rate when a problem is detected in the electrical system of the heart. It comprises a generator to send electrical signals when necessary, so corrects the electrical signal sending heart when required. Several types of pacemaker function arrhythmias by a patient, and placing a simple and involves little risk of surgical technique. It involves making an incision in the skin below the collarbone to create a small space as a pocket, which the cable is inserted pacemaker and leads up into a vein in the upper chest. Since that area is guided to the heart chambers and the pacemaker generator is connected to the cable. Finally, in order to regulate the heart rate most suitable for each patient, the pacemaker controls are programmed. ...

Palpitations

Palpitations are heartbeat of sudden onset and violent, sensitive and annoying. Normally the heart action is perceived only in a situation of stress, strong emotion or after the completion of an important exercise. But heart palpitations can occur in certain pathological states in which the heartbeat increase in intensity and frequency, as in the case of tachycardia, which can be a symptom of cardiac or noncardiac disease, such as: a significant anemia , an increase of thyroid function, liver disease, or other conditions; but they can also occur after drinking alcohol, tea, coffee and other stimulants. ...

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation of the serous membrane, ie, the outer coat that surrounds the heart sac. It may be due to an infectious origin, or appear without apparent cause or after a general infection like pneumonia, tuberculosis ... All symptoms are cardiocirculatory from dyspnea heart failure, through oppression or symptoms of decompensation; and clinically manifested with choking and intense stabbing chest pain level. In many cases, it is generally a benign condition that refers to own treatment of the symptoms presented by the patient, but in exceptional cases, surgical treatment may be necessary. Pericarditis can give a very similar clinical cardiomyopathy but it is important to differentiate since the treatment is completely different. ...

Preventive Cardiology

  Preventive cardiology is the set of measures intended to protect the person of the possibility of developing a specific medical condition. The high incidence and high mortality from ischemic heart disease have been raising awareness in the society for prevention campaigns, awareness and mentation, with the aim of trying to prevent and combat the so-called risk factors: obesity, snuff, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, hypercholesterolemia ... This type of action prior to the onset of the disease is called primary prevention, while in high even certain medical or surgical guidelines, such as bypass surgery would be used to improve the quality and survival. ...

Second medical opinion

The second opinion is the medical report containing the diagnostic or therapeutic proposal from the illness of a patient by a different professional who established the first diagnosis. Patients may request a second medical opinion are those who want to confirm or know the valuation of another specialist. If the second opinion is different and the patient chooses the latter option, you can receive assistance both in the center normally attending the patient, as in the center where the final diagnosis is made. ...

Sports Cardiology

  Sports cardiology is the set of tests performed to know the diseases of the heart muscle that may pose a danger to the patient when practicing any sport. Through a series of exercises, this analysis allows to recognize tolerance and adaptation of the heart after intense physical demands. There are treatments that have been changing over time, such as myocardial infarction. At first, it is imposed on the total and complete rest patient while currently there are specialists who prescribe an exercise with increasing intensity. However, this effort must be monitored and supervised always. ...

Sudden death

Sudden death is a sudden and natural death. The main cause of sudden death is cardiac arrest. Although there are likely to regain the patient by the cardiopulmonary resuscitation at times. It is estimated that 12% of natural deaths are sudden deaths. In patients with ischemic heart disease, sudden death is the most common form of death. Among infants and adults over 45 years there are more cases of MSC. It is also more common in men than in women. Popularly it is believed that there is a relationship between physical activity and sudden death. But the overall impact is small. To minimize the risk, it is recommended that a preliminary medical examination to sports, especially before a competition. Some drugs, such as diuretics or antiarrhythmics, can cause arrhythmia and so sudden death. Drugs, especially cocaine, also favors this unexpected death. ...

Supraventricular tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia is a disorder of the heart. It is characterized by an accelerated heart rate, which occurs in the atrioventricular node. A tachycardia by definition consists of clinical perception of the rapid heart, or an unusual heart rate. Tachycardia differs from tachyarrhythmias in that in the former the heart is perceived to be fast but always rhythmic, without variations in pulse frequency, while in tachyarrhythmias the heart is also perceived to be rapid, but the pulse is arrhythmic, not regular. Although all tachyarrhythmias are abnormal, not all tachycardias are abnormal, clearly differentiating between a reactive physiological sinus tachycardia, which can be perceived after an emotion, physical exercise, etc. And it has very clear characteristics: it increases progressively until a maximum limit and it descends always progressively, whereas the abnormal tachycardias (that respond to the activation of abnormal electric circuits within the heart), they present / display a characteristic typically common, and are that they respond to The law of "all or nothing", ie the heart is abruptly activated, for example from 60 to 150 beats per minute and is abruptly cut from 150 to 60. ...

Syncope

A sudden and transient loss of consciousness is defined as syncope, with absence of postural tone and falling to the floor (if the patient is standing), but with spontaneous recovery, which does not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers to recover normality ...

Thoracic pain

  The chest pain is a pain in the front of the chest that may be a symptom of many diseases: heart disease, such as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or pericarditis; respiratory infectious type, such as influenza, pneumonia; nerve, such as anxiety attacks; osteoarticular and muscle u. However, keep in mind that despite the feeling severe pain in the chest, often the causes are not dangerous to the health of the individual. Since the cause of chest pain can be multiple, to avoid any mishap, it is essential quick reference to specialist for immediate treatment, in case it is needed. ...

tilt table

  The test tilt or tilt-table test is used to find the cause of syncope suffered by the patient. To perform the test, the subject must be tied by the arms and feet reclining on a special table, and will insert an intravenous catheter in one arm while the other will be placed a bracelet to control blood pressure. In addition, to analyze heart rate, you put a set of electrodes connected to an electrocardiograph for electrocardiograms constant during the time of performing the test. The individual will upset your heart rate to the point where eventually lose consciousness, emulating syncope. Thus, the detailed results of the test will start drug treatment to prevent the patient to return to fainting. ...

Venous insufficiency

  It means venous insufficiency difficulties in the venous return of blood flow through the veins, either by the presence of a stenosis in the vessel, by an insufficiency of valves therein, or because they have lost the elasticity of its walls, expanding and leading to varicose veins. Risk factors that predispose to this disease are obesity, age, genetic factors, multiple pregnancies, remain standing long hours ... Venous insufficiency is manifested by symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin at the ankles and distal part of the foot, swelling, discoloration in the area, superficial varicose veins and leg ulcers, among others. Treatment consists of the use of elastic stockings and avoid spending long hours in one position, and other factors that predispose to its formation. If these measures prove insufficient, the drug treatment will be necessary and / or surgery. ...

Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a very rapid heartbeat. It occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles. Tachycardias differ from tachyarrhythmias in that in the first the heart is perceived fast but always rhythmic, whereas in tachyarrhythmias the heart is also perceived fast, but the pulse is arrhythmic, not regular. Although all tachyarrhythmias are abnormal, not all tachycardias are clearly differentiated between a reactive physiological sinus tachycardia, which can be perceived after an emotion, physical exercise, etc. ...