How do doctors assess the damage to the heart following a heart attack?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:An electrocardiogram or EKG is a medical device that helps doctors assess the damage to the heart following a heart attack. The EKG makes a graphical record of the heart’s electrical activity, which a cardiologist can then study. This test can also monitor changes in the heart rhythm and help predict if another heart attack is on its way.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulAn electrocardiogram or EKG is a medical device that helps doctors assess the damage to the heart following a heart attack. The EKG makes a graphical record of the heart’s electrical activity, which a cardiologist can then study. This test can... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:To assess the damage following a heart attack, your doctor will do the following:
- The doctor will take a patient history and perform a physical exam. The diagnosis will sometimes be made immediately by a doctor or emergency response technician but frequently requires further blood tests to confirm.
- An electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG, may be ordered to record the heart’s electrical activity, identifying any abnormal heart rhythms that result from abnormalities in the flow of blood.
- Blood tests may be ordered to measure the release of certain proteins from damaged heart muscle into the bloodstream.
- Coronary angiography, or X-ray of the heart’s blood vessels, may be performed to evaluate possible narrowings of the coronary arteries. In this procedure a tiny catheter is inserted into an artery of a leg or arm and threaded up into the coronary arteries. A contrast material is then injected from the end of the catheter into the coronary arteries, and X-rays are taken.
Helpful? 2 people found this helpfulTo assess the damage following a heart attack, your doctor will do the following: The doctor will take a patient history and perform a physical exam. The diagnosis will sometimes be made immediately by a doctor or emergency response technician... More -
Dr. Bijoy Khandheria of Aurora Health Care answered:Damage to the heart following a heart attack can be assessed using a harmless noninvasive method called echocardiography. A three-dimensional echocardiography with speckle tracking is ideal. This allows precise evaluation of how much the heart muscle and/or heart function has been damage and the status of the valves.
Specialized echocardiograms are obtained using ultrasound imaging of the heart. In some cases, a tube with an ultrasound on the tip is put in the food pipe (transesophageal echocardiography). Three-dimensional ultrasound allows the heart to be examined in real time and in three dimensions.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulDamage to the heart following a heart attack can be assessed using a harmless noninvasive method called echocardiography. A three-dimensional echocardiography with speckle tracking is ideal. This allows precise evaluation of how much the heart... More -
Damage to the heart after a heart attack can be assessed in several ways. These include EKGs, ultrasounds of the heart, and imaging studies. The EKGs can show possible changes to the way electric signals are conducted throughout the heart. The ultrasounds and other imaging studies can show abnormalities of motion that imply damage to the heart muscle and/or valves. Angiograms can demonstrate blood vessels that do not have good flow. Your doctor will also ask you questions about symptoms you are having, which can help assess your overall function.Damage to the heart after a heart attack can be assessed in several ways. These include EKGs, ultrasounds of the heart, and imaging studies. The EKGs can show possible changes to the way electric signals are conducted throughout the heart.... More
