Ultrasounds and Heart Disease

One in four deaths in the US each year are from some form of heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for men and women in most ethnic groups. This covers a range of potentially fatal heart conditions, many of which are survivable if caught early enough. For that reason, tests and screenings are vital to determine the severity of a heart condition, including getting an ultrasound.

Dr. Rogers S. Walker and Walker Urgent & Family Care have years of experience helping patients with diagnostics and treatment for many problems, including heart conditions.

Understanding heart disease

Also referred to as cardiovascular disease, heart disease is the general term for a number of conditions. The heart is the organ responsible for circulating blood throughout the body, moving deoxygenated blood to the heart and sending oxygen-rich blood out. 

The problems that affect the heart are often either narrow or blocked blood vessels, damage to the heart valves and muscles, or issues with the heartbeat rhythm. This also includes different kinds of heart defects.

Many habits or other conditions can affect the risk of getting heart disease, including hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, and smoking.

Types of heart disease

These are some of the conditions that can affect the heart:

 

 

Many of these and other conditions present with a variety of symptoms like chest pains, lightheadedness, a slower or faster heartbeat, numbness, or fatigue. Getting help early is vital, so see a doctor when these symptoms start.

How ultrasounds help

An echocardiogram (also called a diagnostic cardiac ultrasound) is a type of test used on your heart, which uses soundwaves to take pictures of your heart. This test allows doctors to examine how well the heart functions. It can show the thickness of the walls in the heart, its size and shape, pumping strength, and how the heart moves. It can also determine if your heart is leaking blood, see how wide or narrow the heart valves are, or check for tumors.

The results of the test can see if things like blood clots, abnormal holes, or problems with the heart lining or blood vessels are responsible for heart problems and make it much easier to determine treatment.

Most heart diseases, if caught early, can be managed with treatments and lifestyle changes. So if you have symptoms you think may be related to heart disease, make an appointment with Dr. Walker and Walker Urgent & Family Care to get checked out today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Back-to-School Physicals: 3 Steps to Prepare

We hope that you and your child have had a blast during the summer and continue to enjoy the weeks left during the fun time. But school is coming up soon, and that means your child will need to prepare for the school physical.

Why Summer Is the Best Time for Botox Treatments

Whether you’re planning on making a trip to the beach or spending some time enjoying the sun in your backyard, summer’s here, and you want to look your best! Read on to find out how Botox can help you achieve that goal.

4 Early Signs of Diabetes and When to Worry

Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and catching it early is the best chance of avoiding complications that can affect quality of life. Read on to find out what early signs of diabetes you may notice.

When Should I Seek Care for a Minor Laceration?

Everyone will experience cuts, scrapes, bruises, and lacerations. If you’re active at all, those wounds are all but inevitable. How do you know when to treat a wound at home or seek professional medical assistance? Find out here.

How to Ensure Natural-Looking Botox

Botox® is the most popular choice when it comes to cosmetic treatments for wrinkles, but what is the best way to guarantee you get the best results you can from the procedure? Read on to find out how to get the most natural look with Botox.