What tests are taken to check the heart? How to check your heart

A large number of people aged 35-40 years lose their ability to work due to heart problems. To maintain good health, it is important to periodically undergo a complete heart examination. This procedure in Russia costs from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles.

What is this?

A complete heart examination is a study conducted to obtain objective indicators of the condition and performance of the heart to assess the risk of cardiovascular pathologies. A complete examination of the organ allows you to prevent and detect the disease in time, minimizing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Pain behind the sternum.
• Frequent migraines.
• Weakness.
• Shortness of breath on exertion.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Dizziness.
• Numbness of arms and legs.
• Heartbeat disturbance.

The doctor will first conduct a full examination of the patient for the presence of cyanosis of the lips and swelling. Then he will listen to the heartbeat and evaluate the rhythm, the presence of failures, and pathological noises. Pressure is also measured with a tonometer.

Then the number of heart contractions per minute is calculated and the resulting value is compared with the approved standard. Based on the data obtained, a preliminary diagnosis is made. To accurately identify the cause of poor health, the cardiologist refers the patient for additional examination.

To assess the functioning of the heart muscle, research methods are used that show:

1. The performance of the left ventricle in a calm state. For this purpose, radionuclide angiography and echocardiography are used.
2. Presence of ischemia. ECG monitoring is carried out.
3. Functioning of the heart during physical activity. Special tests are used. They are inexpensive and highly sensitive.
4. Myocardial perfusion. They do drug tests.

The complex of a full examination depends on the patient’s health status and is selected individually.

What does the price depend on?

The cost of undergoing comprehensive heart diagnostics depends on a number of factors:

• Presence of previously established pathology of the heart muscle.
• Difficulties in identifying the disease.
• Number of techniques used.
• Efficiency and modernity of the equipment used.
• Patient's health status.
• Kind of like a medical facility.
• The prestige of the clinic where the examination is planned.

The more types of examinations a person needs to undergo, the higher the price of the medical center, the more money they will have to pay for the diagnosis. It is cheaper to get examined in a public clinic than in a private center.

Types of complete examination of the heart muscle

All methods of heart research are divided into:

1. Objective. This includes a visual examination, measurement of pulse, blood pressure.
2. Laboratory. This is a blood donation for a general or biochemical analysis.
3. Instrumental. They are carried out using special diagnostic equipment. This group includes echocardiography, X-ray, MRI, positron emission tomography, catheterization, and cardiac ultrasound.

The examination also includes:

• Radionuclide (characterized by minor exposure of the patient).
• Electrophysiological (assessment of rhythm disturbance).

Price

Approximate prices for a complete heart examination in Russian medical institutions:

• Examination by a cardiologist – from 3000 rubles.
• Cardioscreening-express – from 5500 rubles.
• 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, ECG – from 2000 rubles.
• Electrocardiogram with interpretation – from 1700 rubles.
• Treadmill test – from 2100 rubles.
• Stress echo – from 3000 rubles.
• Bicycle ergometry – from 3800 rubles.
• Ultrasound – from 1500 rubles.

Where is the best place to examine the heart?

If your budget is limited and you have free time, you can examine the work of the heart muscle at a public clinic at your place of residence. If you don’t want to wait in line for an appointment, then it’s better to visit a private center. The advantage of private medical clinics is the modern equipment of their offices. This gives more accurate results. It is desirable that in addition to the cardiologist, the center would have endocrinologists, surgeons and neurologists. Having a laboratory is also important.

Ignoring signs of heart dysfunction leads to exacerbation of chronic diseases, heart attack or stroke.

But along with this, modern cardiology offers a variety of methods for studying the heart and blood vessels. Diagnostics are very diverse, which allows examination for any course of diseases and individual nuances of a person.

This article describes the most popular methods of studying the cardiovascular system, their features, to whom and when they are prescribed, as well as how they are carried out. Additionally, the issue of examining the organ through the esophagus will be covered. As you read, the reader may have additional questions.

Competent specialists of the portal are ready to give a detailed answer on a topic that interests you free of charge online.

With us you won’t find complicated terminology – we talk about complex things in an accessible way!

Examination of the heart and blood vessels

Disorders in the cardiovascular system occupy first place in terms of incidence. This is due to the fact that treatment is slow and can sometimes last throughout life. That is why cardiology specialists strongly recommend that a healthy person undergo heart tests at least once a year. Those patients who are diagnosed with the disease need to be examined according to the plan drawn up by the attending physician.

A disease detected early means a high probability of rapid healing. Timely diagnosis has already saved many lives.

Many of our readers actively use a well-known method based on natural ingredients, discovered by Elena Malysheva, to treat HEART DISEASES. We recommend that you check it out.

The table below shows the groups of people who are most often prescribed a heart test.

The study of the cardiovascular system is divided into two categories - objective and instrumental. Let's take a closer look at both categories.

Objective diagnostic methods are used during the initial examination of the patient. The history provided by the person allows the doctor to make a preliminary diagnosis and identify the problem. These methods include:

1. Palpation. It happens as follows: the doctor places his hand on the patient’s chest so that the hand touches the ribs, and the area of ​​the heart is felt with his fingers. This approach allows you to listen to the strength, height and localization of shocks in the heart. In this way, a number of diseases are identified. For example, valvular and aortic stenosis, tachycardia, cardiac dysfunction and others.
2. Percussion. Determines the approximate size and position of the organ, as well as the vascular “bush”.
3. Auscultation of the organ. This is done using a stethoscope. Allows you to determine the properties of heart tone, murmurs and possible abnormalities. Heart examinations are carried out in absolute silence.
4. Measurement of pressure in arteries. Tonometers of any kind are used. In this way, you can find out the development of hypertension and hypotension.

These methods are used by the doctor during a face-to-face examination of the patient. If there are deviations, it is necessary to undergo further examination of the cardiovascular system.

Instrumental diagnostics studies of heart function

The table below provides information on normal parameters of the heart and blood vessels.

In addition to objective methods, there are also instrumental diagnostics that identify the disease with high accuracy. Of course, the most common is an electrophysiological study of the heart (ECG), but there are other ways to examine the organ and vascular system:

1. ECG is a method of recording electrical impulses that are emitted by the surface of the body. These impulses are identical to the cyclic activity of the organ. The examination allows you to identify myocardial infarction, ischemia, arrhythmia, and conduction dysfunction. Today, there is an innovative approach to this method - the examination is carried out remotely using a PC or mobile device, and information is collected during the patient’s daily activities.

The figure below shows how the procedure is carried out.

Having carefully studied Elena Malysheva’s methods in the treatment of tachycardia, arrhythmia, heart failure, stenacordia and general improvement of the body, we decided to offer it to your attention.

1. Ultrasound diagnostics. Identifies pathological processes in organ parts. The task of ultrasound is to study the system. The latest update of the equipment allows you to monitor the activity of blood vessels, blood clots, and detect the presence of plaques.
2. EchoCG. Monitors the activity of the valve apparatus, the dimensions of the walls of the heart, and also assesses blood flow. EchoCG is an advanced method in diagnosing blood clots, defects, oncology, ventricular and aortic aneurysms. This examination is recommended for patients who have had a heart attack.
3. Myocardial scintigraphy. It is carried out using a special pharmaceutical preparation. Once in the blood, it records the blood flow, thereby making it possible to assess the condition of the vascular system.
4. MRI. Tomography reveals murmurs, localization of ischemia and vascular dysfunction.

Methods for studying the functioning of the heart can be carried out as independent procedures or in combination. Preventive methods based on research are a guarantee of high results. Of course, this is not the entire range of instrumental methods. There are also Holter diagnostics and through the esophagus; they will be discussed in the following sections.

It should be noted such diagnostics as functional tests of the cardiovascular system. These samples are used for physical education research. The results obtained from the indicators are in addition to the physical fitness of the subjects.

You can find out how diagnostics are carried out by downloading the free file “Functional tests of the cardiovascular system,” which presents the examination technique and standards.

Holter study

The Holter technique is named after the American scientist Norman Holter. Diagnostics consists of monitoring the heart's function over a 24-hour period. The examination is indispensable when analyzing data on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Holter cardiac monitoring is carried out using a mobile device that the patient wears during the day on a belt or over the shoulder.

The weight of the device is 0.45 kg, so a person does not feel any discomfort caused by wearing it. From this device there are wires that end in electrodes. The latter are attached to the body and transmit information to a disk in the device.

There are two Holter diagnostics - fragmented and full-scale.

• A full-scale examination can take up to three days and is used very often today. Due to the fact that data recording occurs throughout the day, the survey result is highly informative. Thus, the doctor can analyze the activity of the organ and identify the cause of the failure. A classic ECG is capable of recording no more than 50 heart beats, and the Holter method is capable of recording beats.
• A fragmented Holter examination is used if the patient has a heart failure that occurs in rare cases. The monitoring time range may be longer, because It is necessary to understand the cause of periodic failures. Data can be recorded continuously or only during moments of discomfort and pain.

Holter diagnostics are of particular value in cases of heart rhythm disturbances. After all, using a traditional ECG it is quite difficult to identify symptoms. And the Holter method allows you to track the onset of arrhythmia and, accordingly, understand the cause. This monitoring is useful for unexpected loss of consciousness, frequent dizziness and unexplained chest pain. These signs indicate diseases of the organ, and such diagnostics can confirm or refute suspicions.

Holter monitoring is most often prescribed to the following categories of people:

• have had a heart attack;
• when diagnosed with angina or suspected;
• if the myocardium is enlarged;
• with prolonged QT (author's note - disruption of the ventricles with a high probability of death).

Thanks to the scientist’s developments, diagnosing a disease such as ischemia at an early stage has become accessible to any patient. If a person experiences discomfort, they should contact a medical facility. And then there is a high probability of being cured of the disease and continuing to enjoy life for many years to come.

Transesophageal heart diagnosis

Transesophageal examination is primarily used to evaluate patients for ischemia. The main aspect is the assessment of the state of the coronary reserve. A distinctive advantage of diagnostics is non-invasiveness. For example, an electrophysiological study of the cardiac activity of the sinus node is carried out using tactile contact with the surface of the body.

To a certain extent, transesophageal examination is the safest, because no physical activity is required, which cannot be said during tests with physical activity.

Most often, monitoring through the esophagus is prescribed to those people who cannot be physically overloaded. Such patients include:

• musculoskeletal disorder;
• for diseases of the respiratory system;
• with affected veins and arteries;
• high hypertension;
• lack of physical preparation.

This method is strictly contraindicated for diseases of the esophagus.

For diagnostics through the esophagus, each treatment center has a separate room containing cardiac equipment, resuscitation and registration equipment. The patient takes a horizontal position, and without the use of anesthetics, a wire from 25 cm to 45 cm is inserted into the esophagus through the nasopharynx, with an electrode at the end. Movement control is carried out using an electrogram coming from the esophagus.

To assess arrhythmia, a multipolar electrode is mainly used, which allows stimulation and data recording. Thanks to the use of innovative equipment, in some cases the His bundles are examined using this method. For diagnostics through the esophagus, pacemakers are used, which create pulses up to 20 mm with the ability to adjust up to 50 V.

The figure below shows a diagram of heart diagnostics through the esophagus.

To summarize the article, it should be noted that there is a wide range of diagnostic methods for the heart and vascular system. Thus, medicine gives every person the opportunity to monitor the state of the main organ of the human body, respond in a timely manner to changes in its work and, accordingly, maintain health. Don’t ignore the signs of illness, sign up for a consultation with a cardiologist and your heart will give you long healthy years of life in gratitude!

• Do you often experience unpleasant sensations in the heart area (stabbing or squeezing pain, burning sensation)?
• You may suddenly feel weak and tired.
• The pressure is constantly fluctuating.
• There is nothing to say about shortness of breath after the slightest physical exertion...
• And you have been taking a bunch of medications for a long time, going on a diet and watching your weight.

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What tests should be taken for cardiovascular diseases?

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are by far the most global problem in medicine, because they are the reason why the largest number of people die every year. Heart attack, heart failure, hypertension and stroke affect people of all ages. Even children nowadays suffer from such ailments from a very early age and learn what shortness of breath or pain in the heart area is. The reasons may be hereditary predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle, and even poor ecology. The most important point in treatment, on which the further prognosis of the outcome of the disease and the possibility of recovery depends, is timely tests.

What tests can detect problems with the heart and blood vessels?

It is worth noting that some stages of various diseases of the cardiovascular system can be completely asymptomatic. And only preventive visits to the doctor and his appointments for tests can identify the problem in time and take measures to eliminate it. Let's consider what tests need to be done first.

1. Lipidogram. This is a blood test taken from a vein in the morning on an empty stomach to check for high cholesterol levels.
2. Coagulogram. Needed to determine blood clotting time and identify problems such as blood clots.
3. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Such an analysis is required to detect changes in the activity of the AST enzyme, which is involved in amino acid metabolism. An increase in activity several times is a sign of a pre-infarction state.
4. Creatine kinase. This is the establishment in the blood of indicators of the intracellular enzyme crest kinase, which acts as an indicator of myocardial damage.
5. Lactate dehydrogenase. This is also an enzyme that is present in the muscles of the heart, and enters the blood only when they are destroyed.

Thus, identifying and identifying some catalysts and anomalies in hematopoietic processes is very important and can save a person’s life.

How is the heart checked and examined if pathology is suspected?

Modern people often develop heart and vascular diseases due to stress, fast pace of life, environment and other factors. They may not know about the pathology until a critical situation arises. In this case, it will be difficult for doctors to help and cure the patient, therefore, to maintain heart health, it is important to carry out preventive diagnostics, and we will tell you how to check the heart in this article.

Symptoms of heart failure

Many people do not go to the doctor when heart problems appear, since the symptoms are often vague and can be confused with other diseases, for example, the lungs or stomach. Even if the problem is obvious, and the patient understands that something is wrong with the heart, he often goes to the pharmacy to buy drugs that can relieve the symptoms, but the disease itself is not treated and progresses.

The main symptoms of heart disease, which require medical help and a thorough examination, are as follows:

• Shortness of breath and lack of air. We are talking about shortness of breath without physical exertion.
• Lack of air at night. In a lying position, the symptom intensifies, and when the body is in an upright position, it disappears, which indicates heart failure.
• Edema. This symptom occurs for various reasons, but if there is a pathology of the heart, then initially the legs swell in the evening, gradually the swelling spreads higher, right up to the abdominal area.

• Pain and feeling of tightness in the chest. The symptom appears after and during exercise, but after 5-10 minutes the pain goes away. It disappears if you put nitroglycerin under your tongue. The symptom appears when the patency of the vessels is impaired and they cannot normally cope with the blood supply to the myocardium.
• Pain in the heart. If your heart hurts, there is a stabbing, piercing sensation. When turning or bending, true pain in the heart does not intensify.
• Headache, nausea, tinnitus. Symptoms appear with arterial hypertension. The problem occurs in people over 50 years of age.
• Heart rhythm failure. If your heart begins to beat irregularly and unevenly, it is better to consult a doctor for diagnosis and proper treatment.

Important! In addition to heart rhythm problems, you should consult a doctor if your resting heart rate is more than 90 or less than 60 beats per minute.

Primary diagnosis

The cardiovascular system leads in the number of diseases. A common problem is vascular atherosclerosis. It develops slowly. throughout life. Therefore, doctors advise undergoing diagnostics once a year. If the disease is detected early, treatment will be quick and effective.

Methods for studying the heart in medical practice are divided into two types:

During the initial examination in the hospital, doctors use an objective examination of the cardiovascular system. After the examination, the doctor makes a presumptive diagnosis, then uses instrumental diagnostics.

Objective methods for examining the heart include:

• Palpation. The test is carried out by placing the hand on the patient's chest, so that the hand is in contact with the ribs, after which the fingers are felt around the heart area. This method helps to hear the heart rhythm, the force of the beats, the height and their location. Due to this, it is possible to identify some pathologies, for example, stenosis, aorta, tachycardia.

• Percussion of the heart. This method of studying the cardiovascular system makes it possible to approximately determine the size of the organ and its position in the chest by tapping. Due to this, a preliminary diagnosis can be made.

• Auscultation of the heart. This is done using a stethoscope. This method involves listening and allows you to assess the nature of the heart murmur and the deviation of the sound picture from the norm. The procedure must be carried out in complete silence.

• Blood pressure measurement. In this case, any type of tonometer is used that measures pressure to determine hypertension or hypotension.

The described methods of studying the cardiovascular system are carried out only during the initial examination; if the doctor finds certain deviations from the norm, he prescribes additional methods to check the activity of the heart; in this case, a full examination with special equipment is used.

Electrocardiography

This diagnostic method allows you to record and then study the electrical impulses that the heart muscle produces during operation. If the heart is without pathologies, then electrical excitation passes through different parts of the heart with a certain sequence. If the excitability of the heart muscle fails, this indicates pathologies and possible diseases.

When the myocardium contracts and relaxes, all data is recorded and written in the form of teeth, after which the doctor receives a curve or graph.

The data is recorded by a special device called an electrocardiograph. This diagnostic method allows you to evaluate the frequency and uniformity of the heart rhythm, various electrical processes occurring in the organ. An ECG is performed to detect arrhythmia, ischemia, and heart attack.

Important! Shifts in the ECG curve occur not only due to improper functioning of the heart. The reason may be diseases not related to this organ: pneumonia, pleurisy, obesity, etc.

Electrocardiography may be included in a comprehensive examination of the heart along with other methods.

In addition to taking a cardiogram at rest, other ECG techniques are used:

In the first case, the study continues for a day. Equipment and sensors are connected to the patient, after which round-the-clock recording of indicators of changes in excitability begins. Often, this method is used for severe patients, or if the problem appears periodically, for example, with short-term arrhythmia.

In the second case, an ECG is taken before and after stress on the body. This method allows us to identify the patient’s sensitivity to physical activity. Bicycle ergometry is often used for ischemia, namely exertional angina.

Phonocardiography and echocardiography

Phonocardiography allows you to record all sounds and murmurs of the heart. Recording is performed through a phonocardiograph, which is usually an additional device to an electrocardiograph. This method of instrumental diagnosis allows you to evaluate the symptoms of diseases by sound.

Echocardiography is performed using ultrasound. Today there are several methods for conducting echocardiography:

1. One-dimensional echocardiography allows you to obtain a projection of the organ in the plane. The heart is examined using this method to determine the thickness of the walls and the size of the cavities. Additionally, the functioning of the valves and the condition of the organ during and after contraction are assessed.
2. Two-dimensional echocardiography provides a three-dimensional image of the organ being examined, so the method is considered more informative.
3. Doppler echocardiography – diagnostics of blood flow inside the heart, used to assess hemodynamics, identify valve and septal defects, and the presence of shunts.

Radiography

Methods for studying the heart and blood vessels using X-rays allow us to evaluate the size and shape of the heart, large vessels, and the volume of fluid in the pericardial part. When using this method, a person receives a dose of radiation, so there is no point in using it unnecessarily. It is used when other methods do not provide adequate information about the condition of a person and his organ.

X-rays cannot be used to examine pregnant women. One of the types of radiography is tomography. The latter method is more informative, since the picture is displayed on the monitor screen, simulating the patient’s organ, however, the radiation exposure in this case is higher than with x-rays.

Radionuclide examination and angiocardiography

An isotope study of the heart, namely the radionuclide method, is carried out by introducing radioisotopes into the blood, which make it possible to further evaluate their distribution. This method helps determine the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, as well as myocardial infarction. In this case, the patient also receives radiation.

Angiocardiography involves injecting a radiopaque contrast agent directly into the heart. With its help, doctors can study many parameters of the heart chambers and blood vessels. A procedure is used to determine the feasibility of surgery on an organ. This method is one of the main ones when examining for blood clots. Angiocardiography is performed by catheterization.

Important! Only the doctor chooses how to check the blood vessels of the heart, by Dopplerography or angiography. The choice of method is influenced by many parameters, including the purpose of the study.

For each person and specific case, a certain type of diagnosis can be used, although in some situations more than one method may be used, but several at once. It depends on the state of health, the age of the patient and the reason why the heart hurts, that is, the existing pathology.

Home testing methods

You can check your heart function at home, and people over 40 years of age are recommended to do this more often in order to detect deterioration of the condition in time. For home diagnostics, a tonometer is used, which can measure blood pressure and pulse rate.

A tonometer can be used of any type, for which you have enough money. Measurements are taken only in a sitting or lying position, at rest. You can do them on both arms, but only on the elbow. If during measurements the pressure is more or less than 110/70-140/90 and the indicator persists for a long time, it is recommended to visit a cardiologist.

To measure your pulse at home, you just need to be at rest and record the beating of a vessel on your neck or arm. The pulsation must be counted for a minute. This method will allow you to catch a rhythm failure, if there is one.

Some types of tonometers can independently count the pulse while measuring blood pressure.

Suspicion of atherosclerosis: examinations that must be completed to confirm or refute the diagnosis

With atherosclerosis, fat accumulates and connective tissue grows in the artery wall. The integrity of the inner lining of the vessels is compromised, their lumen narrows, which leads to an obstruction to the blood supply to organs and tissues. Diagnosis requires consultation with a therapist, cardiologist, and other specialists, as well as a study of the lipid spectrum of the blood, ultrasound of blood vessels, heart, and angiography.

Examination by specialists for atherosclerosis

Most often, an assumption about the presence of atherosclerosis in a patient may arise from a local therapist or family doctor. The process of changes in the walls of blood vessels develops in almost all people after 45 years.

But its manifestations and severity are different. After the doctor ascertains the complaints, he gives a referral for biochemical blood tests to confirm elevated cholesterol levels, low-density lipids and an ECG.

Following the initial diagnosis, as a rule, it is recommended to consult such specialists for a more in-depth examination:

• cardiologist – examines damage to the heart and large arteries;
• vascular surgeon – identifies circulatory disorders in the lower extremities;
• neurologist - determines the degree of blood flow in the vessels of the brain;
• endocrinologist – examines the thyroid gland, hormones, etc. (and atherosclerosis is often a sign of diabetes);
• ophthalmologist - examines changes in vision.

And here is more information about the main signs of aortic atherosclerosis.

What will the doctor reveal during the examination?

To make a diagnosis, the following patient complaints are important:

• headache, dizziness, tinnitus;
• paroxysmal weakness and numbness in the limbs;
• during physical activity there is difficulty breathing, increased heart rate and pain in the chest;
• When walking you need to stop because of pain in your legs.

Upon examination, nonspecific signs are revealed:

• xanthomas - yellow spots on the lower eyelids;
• xanthelasma - cholesterol deposits on the outer surface of the elbow joints and heel tendons;
• clouding of the iris in the form of a crescent;
• tortuous, dense temporal and brachial arteries;
• difference in pulse filling in the extremities.

High blood pressure, systolic murmur at the apex of the heart, accentuated 2nd tone above the aorta are often detected.

What tests to take for atherosclerosis and their interpretation

The diagnosis of atherosclerosis can take place in several stages. First, the lipid composition of the blood is examined, and then instrumental diagnostics of the vascular network is carried out.

Blood tests, including biochemical

A general blood test is not very informative; sugar may be elevated, which requires an in-depth study of carbohydrate metabolism.

The coagulogram reveals symptoms of increased blood coagulation, decreased activity of fibrinolysis and platelet functions. This may be useful in assessing the risk of blood clots.

To further assess cardiac risk, the following indicators are determined:

• c-reactive protein, ALT and AST for suspected myocardial infarction;
• blood potassium is increased during tissue ischemia.

Determination of lipid metabolism

The main laboratory sign of atherosclerosis is impaired fat metabolism. Its signs:

• increased cholesterol, triglycerides and low- and very low-density lipoproteins;
• reduction of high density lipoproteins;
• apolipoprotein A1 is below normal;
• apolipoprotein B is high.

To determine the risk of cardiovascular pathology, an indicator called the atherogenicity index is used. This is the ratio of the concentration of total blood cholesterol to low-density lipoproteins. If it is below 2.9, then the patient’s probability of developing atherosclerosis is low, the average risk is up to 4.9, and higher values ​​indicate 100% atherosclerotic vascular damage.

Ultrasound of blood vessels, including lower extremities

The patency of the arteries is determined, the disturbance of blood flow, the presence of signs of thrombosis or blockage by atherosclerotic plaque are assessed. The method is used for reduced pulsation in the feet, popliteal and femoral arteries, as well as differences in pulse filling in the lower extremities. An indirect symptom is slow healing of wounds at the site of impaired blood supply.

X-ray examination

Allows you to establish signs of atherosclerosis of the heart (coronary arteries), aorta, pulmonary artery:

• the size of the heart is increased, mainly due to the left ventricle;
• there may be symptoms of a wall aneurysm - a bulging area, most often on the left;
• elongation of the aorta, pathological bending, increased shadow contrast, areas of calcification;
• when the pulmonary artery is damaged, the pulmonary pattern is enhanced, and there are aneurysmal changes in the branches.

On an x-ray (direct projection): a penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcer with a false aneurysm (shown by an arrow).

Cardiogram (ECG)

With coronary heart disease, as the main manifestation of atherosclerosis, the symptoms on the ECG during a routine study are not very specific, especially in the initial stages: left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmia, conduction disturbances. Therefore, more complete information can be obtained from load tests.

Stress testing for atherosclerosis

Several options for physical activity are used to determine its tolerance:

• climbing onto a step platform (Master's test);
• bicycle ergomertry – riding a special bicycle;
• treadmill - walking on a treadmill.

Bicycle ergometry

In case of joint diseases or thrombophlebitis, as well as general detraining, they are replaced with pharmacological tests with Isadrin or Ergometrine.

These studies are considered positive (the diagnosis is confirmed) if the patient experiences chest pain of a typical nature for angina pectoris, a greater than normal increase in heart rate, a decrease in pressure by 25% or less, a change in the location of the ST segment in relation to the isoline.

Ankle-brachial index

The pressure on the shoulder is measured in a standard way in the supine position, and then the cuff is installed 5 cm above the ankle. The index is calculated by dividing the systolic pressure indicators - ankle by brachial. The norm at rest is from 1 to 1.3.

When the coefficient changes, the following pathology can be suspected:

• less than 0.4 – severe arterial blockage, risk of trophic ulcers and gangrene;
• from 0.41 to 0.9 – moderate or mild degree of circulatory impairment, angiographic examination is necessary;
• from 0.9 to 1 – the upper limit of normal, pain may occur during physical activity;
• more than 1.3 – the vessel wall is dense, rigid, a symptom of diabetes or kidney failure.

Dopplerography

Using Doppler, the speed of blood flow in the vessels of the neck, brain and lower extremities is determined. Most often, a duplex or triplex study is prescribed, in which scanning is performed using ultrasound and visualization on the screen of blood supply disorders and the location of atherosclerotic plaques.

Ultrasound of neck vessels: stenosis of the external carotid artery due to atherosclerosis

Vessel contrast

By filling the vascular network with a contrast agent, narrowing of the lumen, obliteration (blockage), the affected area and the state of regional blood flow, and the development of bypass pathways - collaterals can be detected.

The following types of diagnostics are used:

• aortography,
• angiography of peripheral vessels,
• coronary angiography.

And here is more information about the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis.

Tomographic research methods

With this technique, a contrast agent is injected intravenously, and then an image of the arterial vasculature is obtained using a tomograph. Using the device, disturbances in the structure, location and functioning of large and peripheral vessels are detected. To diagnose atherosclerosis the following is used:

• MRI of extremity vessels;
• CT scan of the aorta;
• peripheral tomographic arteriography;
• multislice CT of the aorta, coronary vessels, renal and extremity arteries.

MRI of vessels of the lower extremities

These methods are among the most informative; they are used to determine the scope of surgical intervention and in complex diagnostic cases.

To identify atherosclerosis, the patient’s complaints and examination data are taken into account, but in order to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an analysis of the lipid composition of the blood, as well as ultrasound and angiographic examination of the arterial network. The most informative are tomographic methods.

Useful video

For information on modern approaches to diagnosing atherosclerosis, watch this video:

Thrombosis/Embolism. Surveys. Ask a cardiologist a question. Atherosclerosis of neck vessels. By stenosis (or occlusion) of the carotid arteries we mean.

Thrombosis/Embolism. Surveys. Ask a cardiologist a question. . Atherosclerosis is a thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, in which it “quietly and slowly” narrows.

For a preliminary examination and prescription of medications, you need to contact a neurologist, and a nutritionist or nutritionist will help you choose nutrition for atherosclerosis.

Thrombosis/Embolism. Surveys. Ask a cardiologist a question. Why does obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities develop and how is it treated?

Diagnosis of cerebral vascular atherosclerosis consists of brain examinations and laboratory tests

We will publish information soon.

We hope that most FITFAN readers are careful about their health. You exercise actively, eat right and take various supplements wisely. Most likely, you no longer remember what a medical card looks like or whether it exists at all!))

And yet, sometimes you can catch some kind of bacillus or just feel a general malaise. In this case, you should definitely see a therapist who will prescribe the necessary procedures.

But even if you feel excellent, you can sometimes (once a year) take an extended blood test in any paid laboratory. After all, nothing speaks volumes about your health like numbers!

We are not going to go into numbers and talk about normal values, as these values ​​may vary depending on how the results are displayed. Wherever you get tested, the printout will indicate the normal limits. You will see which values ​​exceed the norm.

Also keep in mind that each of the tests is closely related to the others and only a qualified doctor can accurately determine the problem (hello Dr. House!).

For example, abnormal levels of calcium in the blood may be a sign of lymphoma, bone tumors with the appearance of metastases, vitamin D poisoning, Addison's disease, acromegaly.

Thus, self-diagnosis may lead to misdiagnosis.

General blood test

The simplest and fastest analysis, the results of which can be obtained within a few hours after blood collection.

Hemoglobin is a complex protein whose main function is the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body and the removal of carbon dioxide.

Reasons for the increase:
smoking
diseases accompanied by an increase in the number of red blood cells
congenital heart defects, pulmonary heart failure
blood thickening (dehydration)

Reasons for the downgrade:
increased loss of hemoglobin during bleeding - hemorrhagic anemia
lack of iron necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin, or vitamins involved in the formation of red blood cells (mainly B12, folic acid) - iron deficiency or B12 deficiency anemia
increased destruction (hemolysis) of red blood cells – hemolytic anemia
disruption of blood cell formation in specific hematological diseases - hypoplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia

Red blood cells- the most numerous elements of blood. The main function is the transfer of hemoglobin. In addition, red blood cells perform an enzymatic and nutritional function - the red blood cell membrane is capable of transporting amino acids and lipids from the gastrointestinal tract to organs and tissues. There are also antibodies on the surface of red blood cells that allow them to perform antitoxic functions. The average lifespan of red blood cells is 120 days.

Reasons for the increase:
congenital heart defects
dehydration
polycythemia, i.e. increased number of red blood cells per unit volume of blood
insufficiency of adrenal cortex function

Reasons for the downgrade:
decreased bone marrow function
iron deficiency
hemolytic anemia (increased destruction of red blood cells)
vitamin B12 deficiency
bleeding

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). In acute inflammatory and infectious processes, changes in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are noticeable 24 hours after an increase in temperature and an increase in the number of leukocytes.

Reasons for acceleration:
inflammatory diseases of various etiologies
paraproteinemia (multiple myeloma, Waldenström's disease)
acute and chronic infections (pneumonia, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, syphilis)
tumor diseases (carcinoma, sarcoma, acute leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, lymphoma)
autoimmune diseases (collagenosis)
myocardial infarction
kidney diseases (chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome)
hypoproteinemia
anemia, condition after blood loss
intoxication
injuries, bone fractures
condition after shock, surgical interventions
hyperfibrinogenemia
in women during pregnancy, menstruation, and the postpartum period
old age
taking medications (estrogens, glucocorticoids)

Reasons for the slowdown:
erythremia and reactive erythrocytosis
epilepsy
pronounced symptoms of circulatory failure
fasting, decreased muscle mass
taking corticosteroids, salicylates, calcium and mercury preparations
vegetarian diet
muscular dystrophy
pregnancy (especially 1st and 2nd semester)

Platelets. Small anucleate cells with a diameter of 2 - 4 microns. In blood vessels, platelets can be located near the walls and in the bloodstream. They participate in the formation of blood clots during the blood clotting process to stop bleeding. The lifespan of platelets is 7-10 days.

Impaired platelet concentration can be the result of many serious diseases!

Leukocytes. Blood cells that ensure the recognition and neutralization of foreign components, the elimination of altered and decaying cells of the body's own, effectors of immune and inflammatory reactions, the basis of the body's antimicrobial defense. There are 5 main types of leukocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, which perform different functions.

Reasons for the increase:
inflammatory processes
acute bacterial and viral infections
intoxication, including endogenous (diabetic acidosis, eclampsia, uremia, gout)
burns and injuries, shock
acute bleeding
surgical interventions
infarction of internal organs (myocardium, lungs, kidneys, spleen)
rheumatic attack
malignant tumors

Reasons for the downgrade:
viral infections (selectively), some chronic infections
systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and other collagenoses
taking sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, thyreostatics, cytostatics
exposure to ionizing radiation
some types of leukemia (alukemic phase of acute leukemia, hairy cell leukemia)
splenomegaly
bone marrow hypo- and aplasia
megaloblastic anemia
anaphylactic shock
wasting and cachexia
Felty's syndrome
Gaucher disease
paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Biochemical blood test

AST– aspartate aminotransferase. A cellular enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism. AST is found in the tissues of the heart, liver, kidneys, nervous tissue, skeletal muscles and other organs. Due to the high content of these organs in the tissues, the AST blood test is a necessary method for diagnosing diseases of the myocardium, liver and various muscle disorders.

Reasons for the increase:
myocardial infarction
viral, toxic, alcoholic hepatitis
angina pectoris
acute pancreatitis
liver cancer
acute rheumatic carditis

ALT– alanine aminotransferase. An intracellular enzyme that breaks down amino acids and keto acids. It is a diagnostic marker for a number of diseases.

Reasons for the increase:
damage to liver cells (hepatocytes): viral hepatitis, poisoning, use of drugs leading to the development of toxic hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis
obstructive jaundice
liver cancer (carcinoma)
cirrhosis
fatty liver disease
acute pancreatitis
myocardial infarction
muscular dystrophy
myocarditis
myositis
heart failure (in some cases)
some blood diseases
shock, hypoxia
extensive trauma, severe burns

Reasons for the downgrade:
severe liver damage
vitamin B6 deficiency

Intense training can cause levels of both enzymes to increase due to muscle damage. So don't be alarmed if your numbers deviate a little from the norm. Also, some painkillers can also increase AST and ALT.

Alkaline phosphatase. This enzyme is formed in bone tissue, liver, large and small intestines, placenta, and lung tissue. A biochemical blood test for alkaline phosphatase is carried out to diagnose diseases of the skeletal system, liver, biliary tract and kidneys.

Reasons for the increase:
bone disease, including bone tumors, sarcoma, cancer metastases to bone
multiple myeloma
hyperparathyroidism
lymphogranulomatosis with bone lesions
infectious mononucleosis
rickets
liver diseases (cirrhosis, cancer, infectious hepatitis, tuberculosis)
pulmonary infarction, renal infarction
biliary tract tumors

Reasons for the downgrade:
hypothyroidism
bone growth disorders
lack of zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 or C (scurvy) in food
anemia (anemia)

Bilirubin(general and direct). Bilirubin is part of bile. Bilirubin analysis shows how the human liver functions. The determination of bilirubin is part of a set of diagnostic procedures for many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Bilirubin is found in blood serum in the following forms: direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin. Together, these forms form total blood bilirubin, the determination of which is important in laboratory diagnostics.

Reasons for the increase in total:
lack of vitamin B 12
acute and chronic liver diseases
liver cancer
hepatitis
primary cirrhosis of the liver
toxic, alcoholic, drug liver poisoning
gallstone disease.

Reasons for increasing direct:
acute viral or toxic hepatitis
infectious liver damage caused by cytomegalovirus, secondary and tertiary syphilis
cholecystitis
jaundice in pregnant women
hypothyroidism in newborns

Albumen. The main blood protein produced in the human liver. The determination of albumin is used to diagnose liver and kidney diseases, rheumatic diseases, and oncological diseases.

Reasons for the increase:
dehydration

Reasons for the downgrade:
chronic liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumors)
intestinal diseases
sepsis, infectious diseases, suppurative processes
rheumatism
burn
injury
fever
malignant tumors
heart failure
drug overdose
taking estrogens, oral contraceptives, steroid hormones
long fasting

Urea. In the process of urea synthesis, ammonia, a very toxic substance for humans, is neutralized. Urea is excreted from the body by the kidneys. Accordingly, if urea is poorly excreted from the blood, this means a violation of the excretory function of the kidneys.

Reasons for the increase:
kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, renal tuberculosis)
heart failure
obstruction of urine flow (bladder tumor, bladder stones)
leukemia, malignant tumors
heavy bleeding
intestinal obstruction
shock, fever
burns
urinary tract obstruction
acute myocardial infarction

Uric acid. Removes excess nitrogen from the human body. The kidneys are responsible for removing uric acid from the human blood. When kidney function is impaired, uric acid metabolism is disrupted. As a result, sodium salts accumulate in the blood and the level of uric acid increases, causing various damage to organs and tissues.

Reasons for the increase:
leukemia, lymphoma
anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency
some acute infections (pneumonia, scarlet fever, tuberculosis)
diseases of the liver and biliary tract
diabetes mellitus
chronic eczema
psoriasis
hives
kidney diseases
toxicosis in pregnant women
acidosis
secondary “alcoholic’s gout” (acute alcohol poisoning)

Reasons for the downgrade:
Wilson-Konovalov disease
Fanconi syndrome
diet low in nucleic acids

Creatinine. It is formed in the liver and then released into the blood. Creatinine is involved in the energy metabolism of muscle and other tissues. It is excreted from the body through the kidneys in urine, so creatinine is an important indicator of kidney activity.
Creatinine levels may increase due to creatine supplementation, muscle mass, or even a heavy meat diet. So if yours is a little high, don't panic.

Reasons for the increase:
symptom of acute and chronic renal failure, radiation sickness, hyperthyroidism
a large amount of meat in the diet

Reasons for the increase:
rheumatic diseases
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
Cancer
myocardial infarction
neonatal sepsis
tuberculosis
meningitis
postoperative complications
taking estrogens and oral contraceptives

Total cholesterol. You should only worry about your health because of this indicator if it is off the charts or, conversely, very low. This test can be considered practically useless, except in cases where very low hormone levels may be caused by insufficient cholesterol.

LDL- low density lipoproteins. Another important analysis to determine the risk of developing problems with the cardiovascular system. Many people believe that this is cholesterol, but this is not so. As the name suggests, it is a lipoprotein. It delivers cholesterol from the liver to all cells of the body. Often referred to as “bad cholesterol”, although it should rather be called “bad lipoprotein”.

Reasons for the increase:
primary hereditary hypercholesterolemia (hyperlipoproteinemia types IIA and IIB types)
obesity
obstructive jaundice
xanthomatosis
diabetes mellitus
hypothyroidism
cholesterol-rich diet
taking medications (beta blockers, diuretics, progestins, oral contraceptives, glucocorticoids, androgens)

Reasons for the downgrade:
hyperlipoproteinemia type II
hyperthyroidism
chronic anemia
malabsorption syndrome
cystic fibrosis
acute stress
multiple myeloma
severe fasting
diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids
taking medications such as cholestyramine, clofibrate, lovastatin, neomycin, interferon, thyroxine, estrogens)

HDL- high density lipoproteins. These are lipoproteins that deliver cholesterol from body tissues and vascular endothelium back to the liver. Low HDL is bad. Tracking this indicator is just as important as LDL.

Reasons for the increase:
physical labor
under the influence of estrogens, which is a condition for greater longevity of female representatives
drinking alcohol
bowel cancer
acute purulent-inflammatory processes in soft tissues
primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver
under the influence of some pesticides

Reasons for the downgrade:
atherosclerosis
coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction
obesity
smoking
cholestasis, chronic liver diseases
diabetes mellitus
nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure
hyperlipoproteinemia type IV
Tangier disease (alpha lipoprotein deficiency)
diet rich in carbohydrates or polyunsaturated fatty acids

Triglycerides. Another test to identify the risk of coronary heart disease. Triglycerides are fats found in the blood. They act as a storage facility for energy reserves. When their levels rise, triglycerides are stored in the fatty tissue on your sides.

High intake of carbohydrates and fats can increase triglyceride levels in the blood. Excess carbohydrates are converted into fats, thereby increasing their concentration in the blood. There are other reasons why triglyceride levels are disrupted. Normalizing nutrition is the first step to correcting the situation.

Reasons for the increase:
coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension
atherosclerosis
cerebral thrombosis
chronic renal failure
obesity
viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis
gout
thalassemia
impaired glucose tolerance
Down syndrome
liver diseases - hepatitis, cirrhosis

hypercalcemia
alcoholism
diabetes mellitus
hypothyroidism
acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Reasons for the downgrade:
chronic lung diseases
cerebral infarction
hyperthyroidism
damage to parenchyma (kidney tissue)
myasthenia gravis
injuries, burns
malnutrition
taking vitamin C

Hormones

TSH- thyroid-stimulating hormone. By acting on specific receptors in the thyroid gland, it stimulates the production and activation of thyroxine. In addition, thyrotropin causes some long-lasting effects that take several days to appear. This is, for example, an increase in the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, phospholipids, an increase in the number and size of thyroid cells. Thyrotropin is characterized by daily fluctuations in secretion. However, as you already understand, problems with the release of this hormone will lead to problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Reasons for the increase:
hypothyroidism
severe mental illness
adrenal insufficiency
various tumors (pituitary tumor, etc.)

Reasons for the downgrade:
hyperthyroidism
pituitary injury
decreased pituitary function

Free T4 - thyroid hormone. Most of the T4 circulating in the blood is associated with transport proteins; biological effects are exerted by the free part of the hormone, accounting for 3-5% of the concentration of total T4. The concentration of T4 in the blood is higher than the concentration of T3. By increasing the basal metabolic rate, it increases heat production and oxygen consumption by all body tissues, with the exception of brain tissue, spleen and testicles. Which increases the body's need for vitamins. Stimulates the synthesis of vitamin A in the liver. Reduces the concentration of cholesterol and triglycerol in the blood, accelerates protein metabolism. Increases calcium excretion in urine, activates bone turnover. Has a positive effect on the heart.

Free T3. - thyroid hormone. Stimulates the exchange and absorption of oxygen by tissues (more active than T4). Produced by follicular cells of the thyroid gland under the control of (TSH). Functions are similar to T4.

Free testosterone - the biologically active part of blood testosterone - a steroidal androgenic hormone responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, puberty and normal sexual function in men.

FSH(follicle stimulating hormone). Gonadotropic hormone of the pituitary gland, which stimulates the development of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenesis in men. FSH increases the concentration of testosterone in plasma, thereby ensuring the process of sperm maturation.

LH(luteinizing hormone). In women, it stimulates the synthesis of estrogen; regulates the secretion of progesterone and the formation of the corpus luteum. Reaching a critical level of LH leads to ovulation and stimulates the synthesis of progesterone in the corpus luteum.
In men, by stimulating the formation of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), it increases the permeability of the seminiferous tubules to testosterone. This increases the concentration of testosterone in the blood plasma, which promotes sperm maturation.

Estradiol. In women, the hormone estradiol ensures the formation of the reproductive system according to the female type, the development of female secondary sexual characteristics during puberty, the formation and regulation of menstrual function, the development of the egg, the growth and development of the uterus during pregnancy; is responsible for the psychophysiological characteristics of sexual behavior.

It also makes sense for men to check this hormone.

Progesterone - a steroid hormone of the corpus luteum of the ovaries and placenta, necessary for all stages of pregnancy. Recommended for women.

Prolactin. Affects the functioning of the kidneys, liver, metabolism in the body, as well as the development and functioning of the female mammary glands. Therefore, an analysis for this hormone is given if there is a suspicion of diseases of the above mentioned organs and systems of the body, as well as during treatment with estrogen and antihistamines. If you suspect infertility - female or male - it is also recommended to get tested for the level of this hormone. If it is elevated, it negatively affects the function of the gonads in both sexes, which leads to problems in conception and infertility.

Hemostasiological studies. This set of tests is aimed at studying the blood coagulation system.

A biochemical blood test gives the doctor additional information about the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, since it provides results for a larger number of enzymes.

The Invivo VDP diagnostic center will help identify heart diseases thanks to modern MRI and CT machines

Cardiovascular diseases are widespread among our population, regardless of gender and age. In addition, they very often cause premature death. You can protect yourself by regularly taking the simplest tests. In this article we will look at what kind of examination you need to undergo in a particular case.

Symptoms of heart and vascular diseases

Very often, people do not pay attention to the presence of the symptoms listed below, attributing their appearance to fatigue and other ailments. Of course, you shouldn’t rush headlong to a cardiologist if you find one of the described symptoms. But it would not be a bad idea to consult a doctor if these manifestations are observed over a long period of time and do not go away.

Pale and weak

Anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep can be symptoms of cardiac neurosis. Pale skin indicates anemia and vasospasm, and blue discoloration of the limbs, nose, cheeks, and ears indicates the presence of cardiopulmonary insufficiency.

Edema

Kidney problems, which people blame when they experience regular swelling at the end of the day, are not the only reason for enlargement of the lower extremities. This is due to a large amount of salty food, which affects both the kidneys and the heart. It becomes unable to pump blood, which subsequently accumulates in the legs and causes heart failure.

Dizziness, nausea, headache

The frequent occurrence of these symptoms may be the first “bell” of an approaching stroke, and also indicates an increase in blood pressure.

Dyspnea

One of the signs of heart failure and angina pectoris may be shortness of breath and a feeling of lack of air.

Rapid heartbeat

If you have not been involved in physical activity and have not experienced emotional uplift, and your heart is “jumping out of your chest,” this sign may indicate a malfunction of the heart: impaired blood supply, heart failure, tachycardia, angina pectoris.

Chest pain

This is one of the surest signs of heart problems. Acute chest pain that occurs even at rest may be a sign of angina, which, in turn, is a precursor to coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.

What tests are taken to detect heart and vascular diseases?

Oddly enough, to diagnose the state of the cardiovascular system, the doctor prescribes the most common laboratory tests: general and biochemical blood tests. Based on their results, one can judge the main processes occurring in the body.

Complete blood count (CBC): interpretation of results

It gives an idea of ​​the hemoglobin level, the number of leukocytes, red blood cells, platelets, erythrocyte indices, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and other indicators. By deciphering the results of this seemingly simple analysis, the doctor can detect several disorders in the body at once:

decreased hemoglobin level(normal for men - 130-160 g/l, for women - 120-140 g/l) indicates kidney problems, anemia, internal bleeding may indicate; increase in white blood cell count(the norm is from 4 to 9 x109 cells per liter) suggests the development of an inflammatory process; decrease in red blood cells(the norm for men is 4.4-5.0 x1012/l, for women - from 3.8 to 4.5 x1012/l) - a sign of chronic inflammatory processes and cancer, and their increase indicates dehydration of the body; lack of platelets(in men the norm is 200–400 thousand U/μL, in women - 180–320 thousand U/μL) leads to problems with blood clotting, and too much leads to the formation of blood clots; big erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) is a clear sign of an inflammatory process. The ESR norm for men is 1-10 mm/h, for women – 2-15 mm/h.

Biochemical blood test: what do deviations from the norm indicate?

Thanks to it, the doctor receives additional information about the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, since it provides results for a larger number of enzymes.

ALT (alanine aminotransferase) And AST (aspartate aminotransferase) They are always tested in pairs so that the doctor can see and separate the damage to the heart and liver. Their increase, in most cases, indicates problems with the muscle cells of the heart and the occurrence of myocardial infarction. ALT norm in women - up to 31 U/l, in men - up to 41 U/l. The AST norm in women is also up to 31 U/l), and in men - up to 35-41 U/l.

LDH - lactate dehydrogenase(for women the norm is 125-210 U/l, for men - 125-225 U/l) and CK-creatine phosphokinase and especially its MB-fraction (MB-CPK) increase during acute myocardial infarction. The laboratory norm for CPK is 10-110 IU, and CPK-MB isoenzymes are 4-6% of total CPK. Myoglobin increases in the blood as a result of the breakdown of muscle tissue of the heart or skeleton. The norm for men is 19 – 92 µg/l (average – 49 ± 17 µg/l), for women – 12 – 76 µg/l (average – 35 ± 14 µg/l). Electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ ions) They also talk about many things: an increase in potassium content in the blood serum (normal 3.6 - 5.2 mmol/l) entails heart rhythm disturbances, the possible development of excitation and ventricular fibrillation; low K+ levels can cause decreased myocardial reflexes; insufficient content of Na+ ions (normal 135 – 145 mmol/l) and an increase in chlorides (normal 100 – 106 mmol/l) are fraught with the development of cardiovascular failure. Cholesterol, contained in large quantities in the blood, serves as a risk for the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. On average, the norm for total cholesterol is considered to be from 3.61 to 5.21 mmol/liter, the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) should be in the range from 2.250 to 4.820 mmol/liter, and high-density cholesterol (HDL) - from 0.71 to 1.71 mmol/liter. C-reactive protein appears in the body during an inflammatory process or tissue necrosis that has already occurred, since it is contained in minimal levels in the blood serum of a healthy person. The norm for children and adults is the same - less than 5 mg/l.

Coagulogram

The results of this analysis, which is sometimes prescribed in addition to the main ones, give the doctor an idea of ​​the process of blood clotting, its viscosity, the possibility of blood clots or, conversely, bleeding. The table below shows the main indicators of this analysis.

Note that during pregnancy, the results of a coagulogram differ from the norms presented above.

A referral for a CBC, a biochemical blood test and a coagulogram is prescribed by the attending physician, and the results of the study can be obtained within 1-2 days, depending on the equipment of the laboratory.

How to protect yourself from heart and vascular diseases?

Getting rid of excess weight, which significantly increases the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system, comes first. For normal blood circulation and to prevent the formation of blood clots, it is necessary to expose your body to physical activity every day. This does not mean going to the gym every day; initially, walking will be enough, increasing the distance every few days.

Following a diet reduces cholesterol levels in the blood and thereby has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels. Fresh vegetables, berries and fruits, which contain antioxidants beneficial to our body, cleanse and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. For example, acids contained in fatty fish, walnuts and almonds fight vascular thrombosis.

Quitting the use of alcohol and tobacco will certainly be beneficial not only to the heart and blood vessels, but will also have a beneficial effect on the health of all body systems.

Knowledge base: Chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a disease in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body with oxygen. It can occur as a result of many diseases of the cardiovascular system, among which the most common are coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid heart defects, and endocarditis. A weakened heart muscle is unable to pump blood, releasing less and less of it into the vessels.

Heart failure develops slowly and in the initial stages appears only during physical activity. Characteristic symptoms at rest indicate a severe stage of the disease. As CHF progresses, it significantly worsens the patient’s condition, leading to decreased performance and disability. The result can be chronic liver and kidney failure, blood clots, and strokes.

Timely diagnosis and treatment can slow down the development of the disease and prevent dangerous complications. An important role in stabilizing the condition is given to a correct lifestyle: weight loss, low-salt diet, limiting physical and emotional stress.

Synonyms Russian

Congestive heart failure, heart failure.

Heart failure, congestive heart failure.

Clinical manifestations of heart failure depend on its duration and severity and are quite varied. The development of the disease is slow and takes several years. If left untreated, the patient's condition may worsen.

The main symptoms of chronic heart failure include:

shortness of breath during physical exertion, when moving to a horizontal position, and then at rest; dizziness, fatigue and weakness; lack of appetite and nausea; swelling of the legs; accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites); weight gain due to edema; fast or irregular heartbeat; dry cough with pinkish sputum; decreased attention and intelligence.

General information about the disease

By contracting, the heart ensures continuous circulation of blood through the vessels. Together with the blood, oxygen and nutrients are supplied to all organs and tissues, and the end products of metabolism, including fluid, are removed. This is achieved by alternating two phases: contraction of the heart muscle (called systole) and its relaxation (diastole). Depending on which phase of cardiac activity disrupts its functioning, we speak of systolic or diastolic heart failure.

Systolic heart failure is a consequence of weakness of the heart muscle and is characterized by insufficient ejection of blood from the chambers of the heart. Its most common causes are coronary heart disease and dilated myocardiopathy. More often observed in men. Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart muscle loses its ability to stretch. As a result, much less blood enters the atria. The most common causes: arterial hypertension, hypertrophic myocardiopathy and stenotic pericarditis.

The human heart can be roughly divided into right and left halves. Pumping blood into the lungs and saturating it with oxygen is ensured by the work of the right parts of the heart, and the left ones are responsible for delivering blood to the tissues. Depending on which departments fail to cope with their task, they speak of right or left ventricular heart failure. When the functioning of the left sections is impaired, shortness of breath and cough come to the fore. Right-sided failure manifests itself as systemic edema.

To select the necessary medications, it is very important to determine the mechanism of heart failure and its type.

Who is at risk?

The presence of at least one of the following risk factors is sufficient for the development of chronic heart failure. The combination of two or more factors significantly increases the likelihood of disease.

Patients at risk include:

high blood pressure; coronary heart disease; myocardial infarction in the past; heart rhythm disturbances; diabetes mellitus; congenital heart disease; frequent viral diseases throughout life; chronic renal failure; alcohol addiction.

The diagnosis of chronic heart failure is made based on the medical history, characteristic symptoms and results of laboratory and other tests.

Laboratory research

There are most often no changes in the general blood test. In some cases, moderate anemia may be detected. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may be elevated, especially when heart failure is the result of rheumatic heart disease or infective endocarditis. A general urinalysis is important to diagnose renal complications and exclude the renal origin of edema. One of the possible manifestations of chronic heart failure is a high level of protein in the urine. Total protein and protein fractions in the blood may be reduced due to their redistribution into the edematous fluid. Blood glucose. Important for excluding diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for heart failure. Cholesterol. high and low density lipoproteins. There is a clear relationship between elevated cholesterol levels and the development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and hypertension. High levels of cholesterol and lipoproteins in heart failure may indicate a more severe course of the disease. Sodium and potassium in the blood. In chronic heart failure, their level in the blood serum can change significantly due to edema. Monitoring blood composition is especially important when prescribing diuretics. Brain sodium

Cardiac examination

Often, a person who first feels any complaints from the cardiovascular system, upon initial treatment on an outpatient basis, immediately receives treatment, bypassing a full cardiological and related examination, which should include both instrumental and laboratory diagnostic methods.

Depending on the prevalence of clinical symptoms, three main groups of patients can be divided:

1. Patients with complaints of pain in the heart area

2. Patients with high blood pressure

3. Patients with rhythm disturbances, interruptions in heart function

Various combinations of clinical symptoms are also possible (rhythm disturbances and heart pain against the background of high blood pressure).

The minimum examination should include:

Examination by a cardiologist with a detailed collection of complaints and physical examination (auscultation, percussion) ECG (ECG in 12 leads, ECG on a long tape, cardiotopography, ECTG-60, ECG with isometric stress) Ultrasound (ultrasound) of the heart, vascular dopplerography, transesophageal Ultrasound (often necessary for rhythm disturbances to exclude the presence of blood clots in the cavities of the heart), ultrasound of the kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid gland 24-hour monitoring of blood pressure and ECG (Holter monitoring) Stress tests (velergometry, treadmill test, informational and pharmacological tests) Consultations of related specialists (endocrinologist, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, nephrologist, etc.) Laboratory tests: biochemical blood test (glucose, electrolytes, lipid spectrum, cholesterol and other cardiac enzymes), determination of the level of certain hormones (thyroid gland, brain natriuretic peptide) .

Pain in the heart

The most common reasons:

Coronary heart disease (CHD) Heart valve defects Neurocirculatory dystonia (NCD)

A special role should be given to the differential diagnosis of pain in diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis).

An important role in the examination is given to ECG changes, including during stress tests and daily monitoring, as well as changes in biochemical blood tests (lipoproteins, triglycerides). If necessary, coronary angiography is performed to establish a final diagnosis and determine further treatment tactics. Treatment can be conservative (medication), endovascular (angioplasty and stent placement in the coronary arteries through the brachial or femoral artery), surgical (coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass or on a beating heart).

If spinal osteochondrosis is suspected, a consultation with a neurologist is required, who will determine the scope of necessary studies (CT, MRI, etc.)

High blood pressure

First of all, it is necessary to exclude the symptomatic nature of arterial hypertension (hypertension caused by diseases of specific organs). Such hypertension includes hypertension due to diseases of the kidneys and their vessels, tumors of the kidneys and adrenal glands, brain tumors, vascular diseases (coarctation of the aorta, other vascular pathology.) Endocrine causes of increased blood pressure deserve special attention, especially in women after 45 years.

If the cause of hypertension cannot be found (and this happens in approximately 95% of cases), such hypertension is considered idiopathic, or essential (is an independent disease), and requires treatment with special drugs. It is very important to understand that this disease requires systematic, often lifelong treatment. A very common mistake is the practice of taking antihypertensive drugs only to reduce high blood pressure, rather than taking them continuously and regularly. (See Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure.)

Rhythm disturbances, interruptions in heart function

Electrocardiogram (ECG) data play a key role in diagnosis. To find out the causes of arrhythmia, it is necessary to exclude organic causes (damage to the valvular apparatus of the heart) - for this, an ultrasound of the heart is performed - and coronary heart disease. Some arrhythmias may be congenital. A common cause of arrhythmia may be dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which requires a full endocrinological examination (consultation with an endocrinologist, determination of hormone levels in the blood). When establishing the cause and determining the nature of the rhythm disturbance, an electrophysiological study (EPS) of the heart may be necessary.

What do clinical blood test indicators indicate?

It is hardly possible to find a person who has not done a clinical (or general) blood test at least once in his life. This is one of the most commonly used tests for diagnosing various diseases; such a study, performed professionally, can tell the doctor a lot about the patient’s health status.

Most often, people, independently receiving the results of a clinical blood test in the laboratory or listening to their interpretation from a doctor, do not understand what this or that indicator means and how it relates to their condition. Of course, the patient should not “replace” the doctor and try to diagnose himself, etc., based on the results obtained. The purpose of this article is to familiarize a wide range of readers with the main indicators of a general blood test, so that the terminology used by doctors when communicating with patients is not a “closed secret,” and the doctor and patient would better understand each other.

For a general blood test, blood is taken from a finger (or from a vein) in the morning on an empty stomach. It is recommended to avoid fatty foods the night before as this may affect your white blood cell count. Stress can also distort the blood picture - even a quarrel with someone on the way to the clinic.

To take the analysis, disposable sterile instruments are used. The laboratory technician who draws blood must work either in disposable gloves or rubber gloves, which are disinfected with disinfectant solutions after each blood draw, and which he changes as necessary.

Traditionally, blood is taken from the fourth finger of the left hand, which is thoroughly wiped with cotton wool and alcohol, after which an injection is made with a special needle into the flesh of the finger to a depth of 2-3 mm. The first drop of blood is removed with cotton wool soaked in ether. First, blood is drawn to determine hemoglobin and ESR, then to determine the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, after which blood smears are made using slides and the structure of cells is studied under a microscope.

In addition, you need to take into account that each laboratory has its own “standards” for a general (clinical) blood test, so it is better to ask your doctor all your questions.

A general blood test helps a doctor of any specialty. Based on the results of a blood test (hemogram), the doctor can competently assess the condition of the body, make a preliminary diagnosis and promptly prescribe appropriate treatment.

So, A general (clinical) blood test shows:

the number of red blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin content, white blood cell count, leukocyte formula and other indicators, each of which we will dwell on in detail.

Red blood cells also known as red blood cells. In humans, 1 mm³ of blood contains 4.5-5 million red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin and carry oxygen and carbon dioxide. An increase in the number of red blood cells is a sign of diseases such as leukemia, chronic lung diseases, and congenital heart defects. Anemia (decreased number of red blood cells) can be caused by stress, increased physical activity, and fasting. If you cannot immediately determine the cause of the decrease in the number of red blood cells, then it is better to go to a hematologist and undergo additional examination.

A significant increase in the content of red blood cells may indicate erythremia (one of the blood diseases). In addition, an increase in the number of red blood cells (erythocytosis, polycythemia) is observed in acute poisoning, when due to severe vomiting and diarrhea there is a large deficiency of fluid in the body; with acidosis (due to metabolic disorders during exacerbation of certain diseases); loss of fluid for various reasons (heat, illness, heavy physical activity); with long-term cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, when the body is not sufficiently supplied with oxygen and increases the number of red blood cells in an attempt to still deliver oxygen to the tissues; or when a person is in the highlands, when he no longer has enough oxygen.

Color index- its normal value for people of any age is 0.85-1.15. The blood color index is an indicator of the degree of saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin and reflects the relationship between the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. When its values ​​differ from the norm, this generally indicates the presence of anemia. In this case, anemia is divided into:

Hypochromic - color index less than 0.85;

Hyperchromic - color index greater than 1.15.

However, anemia can also be normochromic - when the color indicator remains within the normal range.

Reticulocytes- these are young forms of red blood cells. Children have more of them, adults have less, because the formation and growth of the body has already been completed. An increase in the number of reticulocytes can be observed in anemia or malaria. A decreased or absent reticulocyte count is an unfavorable sign in anemia, indicating that the bone marrow has lost the ability to produce red blood cells.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) determines how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube, separating from the blood plasma. In women, the ESR rate is slightly higher than in men; during pregnancy, the ESR increases. Normally, the ESR value in men does not exceed 10 mm/hour, and in women - 15 mm/hour. The ESR indicator may change depending on various factors, including due to various diseases.

An increase in ESR in a blood test is one of the indicators that makes the doctor assume that the patient has an acute or chronic inflammatory process (pneumonia, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, syphilis), and an increase in ESR is characteristic of poisoning, myocardial infarction, trauma, bone fractures, anemia, kidney diseases, cancer. It is observed both after operations and as a result of taking certain medications. A decrease in ESR occurs during fasting, with a decrease in muscle mass, and when taking corticosteroids.

Hemoglobin- a complex iron-containing protein found in red blood cells - erythrocytes - of animals and humans, capable of reversibly binding to oxygen, ensuring its transfer to tissues. The normal content of hemoglobin in human blood is considered to be: for men 130-170 g/l, for women 120-150 g/l; in children - 120-140 g/l. Blood hemoglobin is involved in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide and maintains pH balance. Therefore, determining hemoglobin is one of the most important tasks of a general blood test.

Low hemoglobin (anemia) can be the result of large blood loss; a decrease in hemoglobin occurs when there is a lack of iron, a necessary material for the construction of hemoglobin. Also, low hemoglobin (anemia) is a consequence of blood diseases and many chronic diseases not associated with them.

A hemoglobin level higher than normal can be an indicator of many blood diseases, and a complete blood count will also show an increase in red blood cells. Increased hemoglobin is typical for people with congenital heart defects and pulmonary heart failure. An increase in hemoglobin can be caused by physiological reasons - in pilots after flights, mountain climbers, after significant physical activity, the hemoglobin level is higher than normal.

Leukocytes- These are the protectors of our body from foreign components. The blood of an adult contains an average of 4-9x10 9 leukocytes/l. White blood cells fight viruses and bacteria and cleanse the blood of dying cells. There are several types of leukocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes, etc.). The leukocyte formula allows you to calculate the content of these forms of leukocytes in the blood.

If leukocytes are found in increased numbers in a blood test, this may mean the presence of viral, fungal or bacterial infections (pneumonia, tonsillitis, sepsis, meningitis, appendicitis, abscess, polyarthritis, pyelonephritis, peritonitis), and also be a sign of poisoning of the body (gout ). Previous burns and injuries, bleeding, postoperative condition of the body, myocardial infarction, lung, kidney or spleen, acute and chronic anemia, malignant tumors - all these “troubles” are accompanied by an increase in the number of blood leukocytes.

In women, a slight increase in leukocytes in the blood is also observed during the period before menstruation, in the second half of pregnancy and during childbirth.

A decrease in the number of white blood cells, which a blood test can show, may be evidence of viral and bacterial infections (influenza, typhoid fever, viral hepatitis, sepsis, measles, malaria, rubella, mumps, AIDS), rheumatoid arthritis, kidney failure, radiation sickness, some forms of leukemia, bone marrow diseases, anaphylactic shock, exhaustion, anemia. A decrease in the number of leukocytes can also be observed while taking certain medications (analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs).

Platelets- these cells are also called blood plates. They are the smallest blood cells. The main role of platelets is participation in blood clotting processes. In blood vessels, platelets can be located near the walls and in the bloodstream. In a calm state, platelets have a disc-shaped shape. If necessary, they become like a sphere and form special outgrowths (pseudopodia). With their help, blood platelets can stick to each other or stick to a damaged vascular wall.

A decrease in the number of platelets is observed in women during menstruation and during normal pregnancy, and an increase occurs after physical activity. Also, the number of platelets in the blood has seasonal and daily fluctuations. Typically, platelet monitoring is prescribed when taking certain medications, when a person has burst capillaries for no reason, has frequent nosebleeds, or when being examined for various diseases.

An increase in the number of platelets in the blood (so-called thrombocytosis) occurs when:

Inflammatory processes (acute rheumatism, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis);

Acute blood loss;

Hemolytic anemia (when red blood cells are destroyed);

Conditions after removal of the spleen;

It is observed during treatment with corticosteroids;

Some rarer diseases.

A decrease in the number of platelets (thrombocytopenia) is observed in a number of hereditary diseases, but appears much more often in acquired diseases. The number of platelets decreases when:

Severe iron deficiency anemia;

Some bacterial and viral infections;

Liver diseases;

Diseases of the thyroid gland;

The use of a number of medications (vinblastine, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, etc.);

Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hematocrit- this is the proportion (as a percentage) of the total blood volume that is made up of red blood cells. Normally, this figure is 40-48% for men, 36-42% for women.

The volume of erythrocytes compared to plasma increases with:

Dehydration (dehydration), which occurs with toxicosis, diarrhea, vomiting;

Congenital heart defects, accompanied by insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues;

A person being in high altitude conditions;

Adrenal cortex insufficiency.

The volume of red blood cells relative to plasma decreases with blood thinning (hydremia) or with anemia.

Hydremia can be physiological if a person immediately drinks a lot of liquid. After significant blood loss, compensatory hydremia occurs when blood volume is restored. Pathological hydremia develops when water-salt metabolism is disturbed and occurs with glomerulonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure, and with heart failure during the period of swelling.

Blood formula. The study of the leukocyte formula has important diagnostic value, showing characteristic changes in a number of diseases. But these data should always be assessed together with other indicators of the blood system and the general condition of the patient.

For various diseases, a combination of the following signs is observed: the total number of leukocytes; the presence of a nuclear shift of neutrophils (the so-called “shift according to the formula to the left”, that is, the appearance of young, immature forms of neutrophils in the blood); percentage of individual leukocytes; the presence or absence of degenerative changes in cells.

26.01.2017 10:11:01

Diseases of the cardiovascular system in medical practice are the most complex and dangerous, which most often lead to death, regardless of the patient’s age.

Over the past quarter century in Ukraine, mortality as a result of these diseases has doubled, which cannot but cause serious concern.

That is why it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of your cardiovascular system and undergo preventive examinations with a cardiologist, especially if there are certain prerequisites for the occurrence of pathologies, for example, heredity, overwork, heavy physical activity, etc.

One of the main symptoms of heart disease is the appearance of pain in the heart area, which can have different strengths and directions depending on the heart disease and its severity.

The second characteristic sign of heart disease is shortness of breath, which occurs from circulatory failure.

The third sign of problems in the functioning of the heart is a rapid heartbeat, as well as interruptions in the functioning of the heart.

All of the above symptoms are signals to contact a cardiologist, who, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, will necessarily send the patient for additional examination, which includes certain tests.

What tests are done for heart disease?

It is also worth considering that many pathological processes in the cardiovascular system are asymptomatic. Therefore, even if you are not bothered by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or arrhythmia, periodic visits to a cardiologist should be included in the list of mandatory preventive measures that will help maintain your health for many years.

As with any diseases of various organs and systems, timely diagnosis and competently prescribed effective treatment of heart disease will help not only cure certain diseases, but also prevent serious complications, improve the quality of life, prolong it and even save it.

For diseases of the heart and blood vessels, a comprehensive analysis is prescribed - a cardiac profile.

Cardiological profile: why is it needed?

Cardiological profile is a set of special blood tests that allows you to:

Assess risk factors for the development of heart and vascular diseases;

Identify early and hidden lesions of the cardiovascular system;

Identify the risk of developing atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and heart failure;

Assess the likelihood of myocardial infarction.

Cardiological profile: indications

Indications for prescribing a set of cardiological tests are:

Vascular atherosclerosis;

Coronary heart disease;

High blood pressure;

Heart rhythm disturbances, including:

Stroke;

Arrhythmia;

Heart attack;

Tachycardia.

What tests are included in the cardiac profile?

- Troponin quantitative;

Potassium (K);

Lipidogram;

Coagulogram;

AST (AST, aspartate aminotransferase);

Creatine kinase (creatine phosphokinase, CK, CPK);

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

What do cardiac profile indicators mean?

• Troponin can diagnose myocardial infarction. Troponin is a special protein found only inside cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes); it is practically undetectable in the blood under normal conditions. However, if cardiomyocytes begin to die and collapse, and most often this happens due to the development of myocardial infarction, then troponin begins to penetrate into the general bloodstream, as a result of which its concentration in the blood increases hundreds and sometimes thousands of times. This feature has become a key factor allowing early or late diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

• NT-proBNP- brain natriuretic hormone is a protein produced in the left ventricle of the heart. Plays an important role in the diagnosis of heart failure. Blood test to D-dimer indispensable when examining patients for various thrombotic disorders. D-dimer is a small protein fragment that is formed as a result of the breakdown of fibrin (fibrin is a blood plasma protein. Fibrin serves as the structural basis of a blood clot - ed.). Elevated levels of D-dimer in the blood indicate the human body's tendency to form blood clots or other clotting problems.

• Potassium(K) is an important trace element in the human body. It takes part in the act of muscle contraction, normal heart activity, conduction of impulses along nerve fibers, metabolism and enzyme activity. Potassium deficiency leads to disruption of the cardiovascular system and can cause muscle weakness. Long-term potassium deficiency can cause cardiac arrest. Large doses of potassium cause cardiac paralysis.

• INR- this is an indicator purely for assessing the effectiveness and correctness of treatment with anticoagulants ( medications that reduce the activity of the blood coagulation system and prevent excessive formation of blood clots - ed.). Patients who are forced to constantly take blood thinners are required to monitor their blood clotting abilities. This is necessary not only to assess the effectiveness of treatment, but also allows you to select an adequate dose of funds. In the same way, a person can be protected from an overdose of anticoagulants, preventing the development of corresponding complications against this background. One of the modern methods of such control is INR (international normalized ratio).

• Lipidogram(lipid profile) helps diagnose atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

• With the help coagulograms the level of blood viscosity is determined. An increased blood viscosity level indicates an increased risk of developing complications of hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

• Increase AST values, an intracellular enzyme involved in the metabolism of amino acids in liver tissue, heart muscle and other organs, shows an increased risk of heart attack.

• This is also indicated by the enzyme creatine kinase, which is a catalyst for the rate of ATP conversion. An increase in the activity of CPK-MB, an enzyme found in heart muscle cells, indicates an increased risk of myocardial infarction.

• Most active LDH(lactate dehydrogenase), a zinc-containing enzyme, is observed in the cells of the heart muscle, liver, and kidneys. LDH activity also increases sharply during acute myocardial infarction.

How should you prepare for a cardiac profile?

A cardiac profile is a comprehensive blood test for the content of certain enzymes. Blood for a cardiac profile is taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.

The day before taking blood, it is necessary to avoid alcohol consumption, as well as psycho-emotional and physical stress.