subject: Determining If You Need Heart Surgery [print this page] When your physician mentions heart surgery, you may feel your stomach drop or automatically start feeling anxious. Before this happens, the right diagnostic tests will be performed and the doctor will determine if this is the best course of action for dealing with your ailment or issue. Today's patients undergoing an operation benefit from skilled surgeons as well as the latest technology to ensure that a positive outcome is achieved.
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
An EKG is a diagnostic test that records the activity of the main organ that pumps blood through your body. There is no pain associated with the procedure and it can be done in the cardiologist's office or at a local medical facility. Aside from checking on the overall health of this vital organ, it can help doctors pinpoint the problem or give them a special area to focus on. This test is always completed before a patient undergoes heart surgery.
Stress Test
While it may sound stressful, the stress test is not meant to cause you any concern. Here, the goal is to get the blood pumping quickly so that the doctor can find out just how this organ responds to the stress of rapid beating. In order to glean the most information from this diagnostic test, an EKG is often done at the same while the patient's blood pressure is monitored closely. Once again, the information is used to determine whether or not heart surgery is the best option.
Echocardiogram
A sonogram of this vital organ, also known as an echocardiogram is able to allow doctors and surgeons to see any issues or problems, including the effects of disease. It is not only used to determine if an operation necessary; it is also used after heart surgery to provide a closer look at how the body is healing and whether or not things are functioning correctly.
Regardless of the number of tests available and how much research you do on your own, the best way to find out if you need heart surgery is to consult with a cardiologist. He or she will help you determine if your body is functioning properly and if you need to look to an operation to improve the blood flow throughout your body. While many people believe that only the older generation tends to deal with these types of issues, there are some problems that can happy to any person at any age. It is important to see a doctor if you have any concerns about your body. It is always better to make the appointment and talk to your doctor about your worries and questions.
