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| Interview with Prof. Bernhard Meier | |||
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| Prof. Bernhard Meier | |||
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"What are the most common tests for assessing the heart ?" | ||
| The most common test to check
the heart is the electrocardiogram (ECG). It informs about the heart
rhythm at rest and about previous damage to the heart. It also is
the most useful tool to rule out or confirm an acute heart attack
(myocardial infarction). However, it is not sensitive for heart problems
that are only apparent under stress. Therefore, the ECG can be combined
with physical exercise on a treadmill or a stationary bicycle. This
can bring out problems earlier. The function of the heart muscle and
the heart valves can best be checked by an echocardiogram. More sophisticated techniques such as computer tomography or magnetic resonance are gaining importance in detecting and assessing heart disease. They can inform about calcium deposits, function of the heart muscle and the heart valves, blood flow in different areas of the heart, and even metabolism in the heart tissue. The ultimate technique to assess the state of the coronary arteries remains an angiogram which can be done under local anesthesia from the groin or the arm. It does not necessarily need a hospitalization and is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. There are other transcatheter investigations and therapies, such as electric measurements of heart rhythm disorders and correction of these problems, implantation of pacemakers and rhythm regulators, as well as catheter interventions to improve flow in coronary arteries (angioplasty) or to improve function of valves or close leaks. |
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"What are the typical symptoms of a "sick" heart ?" | ||
| There are 3 major forms of
a sick heart. The most common one is coronary heart disease. People
typically first feel chest tightness irradiating into the neck or
the left arm at exercise. These symptoms disappear at rest. They are
due to a narrowing of a coronary artery. If an artery becomes completely
occluded this will lead to a heart attack which produces the same
symptoms, but this time they are unrelenting and more severe and frightening.
The second form is failure of the heart muscle to pump sufficient blood through the circulation. This is called heart failure. It may be the consequence of previous heart attacks or it may be due to a valve problem or an infection of the heart muscle. People get short of breath already at mild exertion or at rest. Their lungs may fill with water and fluid may also accumulate in the legs, which is called edema. The third form is arrhythmia. The heart either beats too fast or too slow or it becomes irregular to a degree that it is a menace to life. The patient may feel palpitations or shortness of breath or may even faint. |
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"What are the most common therapies for treating a heart attack ?" | ||
| A heart attack is caused
by complete clogging of a coronary artery. This is caused by a blood
clot which can be dissolved by medications that are injected into
a vein. Another possibility is to actually locate the place of clogging with a coronary angiogram and to reestablish blood flow with a technique called angioplasty which implies compressing the clot with a balloon and in most cases implanting a small metallic support called a stent. |
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