A Month Before A Heart Attack, Your Body Will Warn You With These 8 Signs

A Month Before A Heart Attack, Your Body Will Warn You With These 8 Signs

Are you sure that your lifestyle is healthy enough to stave off a heart attack?

Here is a list of risk factors for heart attacks: smoking, unhealthy diet and obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol use, high blood pressure and diabetes. If you are an average person or an average world citizen for that matter, you probably sport one or more of these risk factors.

Chest Pain

This is the most obvious sign of an impending heart attack. If you have a blocked artery or  having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest.

Men and women experience chest pains in different intensities and forms. In men, this symptom refers to the most important early signs of an impending heart attack that should not be ignored. On the other hand, it affects only 30% of women.

Shortness of Breath

Breathlessness, or dyspnoea, is a common symptom of several medical conditions, heart problems being one of them. If the heart muscle is not pumping effectively, pressure can build up within the lungs and the chambers of the heart, creating the sensation of breathlessness.

It often occurs among men and women for up to 6 months prior to having a heart attack.

Insomnia

Insomnia is also associated with an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. A decrease in oxygen levels — caused by changes in the heart due to heart disease — may trigger subtle changes that lead to anxiety, insomnia, and agitation that can’t be explained by normal circumstances. People who’ve had a heart attack often realize afterwards they began to experience anxiety and sleep problems in the months before the attack. Could this be the body’s way of warning you that something’s not right?

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pains, empty/full stomach nausea, feeling bloated, or an upset stomach may sometimes be warning symptoms of heart attack.  It’s easy to attribute these to indigestion or acid reflux disease instead of a heart problem. These symptoms are equally likely to occur among women and men.

Poor circulation and lack of oxygen circulating in the blood (caused by a weak heart or blocked arteries) can lead to nausea, indigestion, or vomiting, particularly in women or people over 60.

                               Chronic Fatigue

If you are constantly feeling tired and sluggish, and it’s unprecedented, there might be a lack of blood flow to your heart. This generally occurs when there is a large build-up of plaque in the arteries that carry the blood to-and-from the heart.

                                      Hair Loss 

Losing your hair is considered to be just another visible indicator of the risk of heart disease. Most commonly it affects men over 50, but some women may also be in the risk group. Baldness is also associated with an increased level of the hormone cortisol. However, if you have this symptom, there are other diseases other than heart disease that should be ruled out.

                      

                                 Irregular heartbeat

It’s normal for your heart rate to increase when you’re nervous or excited, but if you feel like your heart is beating out of time for more than just a few seconds, or if it happens often, it might be a sign that you’re having an arrhythmia that may lead to a heart attack.

                          

                               Excessive perspiration

Unusual or excessive sweating is an early warning sign of a heart attack. It might occur at any time of the day or night. According to WebMD, breaking out in a cold sweat for no obvious reason could also signal a heart attack. However, other diseases, should also be ruled out.

Moreover, it’s more common for women to experience excessive sweating and it’s often confused with the hot flushes associated with menopause.

You may contact or visit us: click here  

dr mary joseph mercader 

Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist

Medical Plaza Makati
Suite 1706
Amorsolo St. Legazpi Village Makati City

LET'S TAKE CARE OF ALL OUR HEARTS ....

It’s about saying to ourselves, the people we care about and individuals all around the world, “what can I do right now to look after MY HEART… and YOUR HEART?” It also resonates with the professional cardiology and healthcare audience who dedicate themselves to looking after ALL OUR HEARTS❤Gma News.Tv. 

You may contact or visit us: click here  

dr mary joseph mercader 

Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist

Medical Plaza Makati
Suite 1706
Amorsolo St. Legazpi Village Makati City

What you can do to protect your heart ?

What is Electrophysiology, and How Can it Help You?

Electrophysiology (EP) is a subspecialty of cardiology that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, management and potential cure of abnormal heart rhythms. While EP focuses on the electrical issues of the heart, the specialty also has close interaction with other fields in Cardiology and Medicine in general. As I tell my patients, I am essentially an “electrician of the heart,” with the heart being a mechanical pump that requires the electrical function to work appropriately.

Over the past 40 years, EP has evolved to include therapies that involve the implantation and management of cardiac devices, such as pacemakers, defibrillators and long-term monitors called loop recorders, as well as catheter-based procedures known as ablations, to diagnose and treat certain arrhythmias. Each patient has a unique situation, with a unique history and comorbid conditions, so the treatment approach for two patients with the same diagnosis may differ, underscoring the wide range of options we often have in treating a single type of arrhythmia.

Cardiac arrhythmia issues are fairly common, and chances are that you may know many people with rhythm disorders. The most common type in the adult population is atrial fibrillation (AF), which tends to be more prevalent with age. Indeed, as our population in general ages, the prevalence of AF is rising rapidly, with up to 20 percent of people over 80 affected by the condition.

Other common rhythm disorders include atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia, each of which has its own risks and treatment options. Certain rhythm disorders (arrhythmias ) need to be treated with implanted devices such as pacemakers , AICD, CRT and CRT-D, due to the risk of cardiac arrest, the risk of having significant symptomatic bradycardia ( less than 40 bpm during waking hours ), and severe symptomatic heart failure despite optimal medical therapy. 

Typically, more invasive EP procedures (pacemakers, defibrillators, ablations) are done only after extensive discussion between the Electrophysiologist and the patient, having considered both the risks and benefits of such a procedure. Ultimately, as with all important medical decisions, the final treatment decision lies with the patient, once he or she has been fully educated on the available options.

What to Know About EP Procedures 

Thankfully, EP procedures generally carry relatively low levels of risk. Depending on the type and expected duration of a procedure, general anesthesia may be used; in other cases, light or moderate (conscious, or twilight) sedation may be employed. Most procedures require just a single night in the hospital, and patients usually can return to regular activity in about a week for ablations, or two weeks for pacemakers and defibrillators. 

If cardiac arrhythmias are left untreated, consequences can vary greatly. In most benign cases, the patient will simply experience symptoms such as palpitations or fatigue.

Heart Rhythm Disorder? 

If you are experiencing symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath with exertion or excessive fatigue that is new, or a feeling that you may pass out, you may consult with your primary care physician first. If the symptoms are so severe that you feel your safety is at risk, seek emergency care. Arrhythmias often come and go, and if not present on an initial electrocardiogram (ECG ) evaluation, it may be difficult to confirm the arrhythmia until it is recorded on a longer-term cardiac monitoring such as holder monitoring or use of loop recorders.

If you have any Cardiology or Electrophysiology concerns, you may contact or visit us at:

Click here ⇰ Dr Mary Joseph Mercader

Medical Plaza Makati 

Suite 1706
Amorsolo St., Legazpi Village
Makati City
Mobile 📱+639158597685

#Electrophysiology #healthyheartadvice #Cardiologist

Electrophysiology

When do you need to see an Electrophysiologist?

EP catheters in the heart

When you experience an irregular heartbeat or have been noted to have an arrhythmia , you would need to see a specialist on heart rhythm disorders, an Electrophysiologist. An Electrophysiologist can help diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias as this is his/her field of expertise.

Devices: 

The other procedural aspect of Electrophysiology is implantation of cardiac devices.Pacemakers,Defibrillators (ICDs) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT=BiVentricular) are placed under the skin in the upper chest and are connected to wires that are snaked through veins and positioned into the heart for sensing, pacing and shock delivery. Although it takes time to learn the surgical installation process, and attention to detail to do it well, the far greater challenge in device management is skillfully applying these complex therapies in the management of patients–the judgment part.

You may contact or visit us: 
click here ⬇
Dra Mary Joseph Mercader

Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist

Medical Plaza Makati
Suite 1706
Amorsolo St. Legazpi Village Makati City

Hospital Affiliation: Makati Medical Center

Mobile no: +639158597685

Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Convention

Never Stop Studying 

  Cardiology/Electrophysiology  conferences  aim to provide expert insight into recent advances in key areas of Cardiology and Electrophysiology, and a balanced perspective on how these may influence guidelines and patient management. Such conferences cover an array of topics including imaging (i.e. CT, MRI, and echocardiography) interventional procedures, acute coronary syndrome, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias and pacing,  and heart failure. The vision behind these conferences is to serve as a unique global platform for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and researchers from world-renowned institutions to share and exchange new clinical studies and advancements in dealing with cardiac diseases. 

 Click here ➜ Mary Joseph Mercader

Cardiologists and researchers who specialize in cardiovascular disease from all over the world are convening at these Cardiology conferences to present new research findings. The objective of these conferences/conventions  is to improve our understanding of the development of cardiovascular diseases with a strong emphasis on diagnosis, on the latest medical advances in regenerative medicine, and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

Cardiology /Electrophysiology Conferences

Never Stop Studying 

  Cardiology/Electrophysiology  conferences  aim to provide expert insight into recent advances in key areas of Cardiology and Electrophysiology, and a balanced perspective on how these may influence guidelines and patient management. Such conferences cover an array of topics including imaging (i.e. CT, MRI, and echocardiography) interventional procedures, acute coronary syndrome, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias and pacing, as well as prevention, and heart failure. The vision behind this world congress is to serve as a unique global platform for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and researchers from world-renowned institutions to share and exchange new clinical studies and advancements in dealing with cardiac diseases. 

 Click here ➜ Mary Joseph Mercader

Cardiologists and researchers who specialize in cardiovascular disease from all over the world are convening at the Cardiology conferencesto present new research.Cardiovascular disease topics ranging from prevention to optimal care were presented by world-class professors, scientists, and health care professionals.The objective of the Summit is to improve our understanding of the development of cardiovascular disease with a strong emphasis on diagnosis.on the latest medical advances in regenerative medicine, treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heartbeat and can cause patients to feel uncomfortable . Most patients can find relief with new medications that solve their problem by keeping their arrhythmia in check. However, some patients may need a minimally invasive procedure. If you have any concerns/questions about what the field of Electrophysiology is all about, you may visit or contact us at 

click here ⇩

Dra Mary Joseph Mercader 

Medical Plaza Makati

Suite 1706
Amorsolo St. , Legazpi Village 
Makati City 

Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist

click here > Dra Mary Joseph Mercader

Arrhythmia is an irregular or improper beating of the heart. I specialize in diagnosing and treating this condition. With early detection and diagnosis, arrhythmias can be successfully treated. The goal of treatment is to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and prevent severe complications. As a Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist, I can discuss the diagnostic procedures and all treatments available to determine the best option for your condition.  

The Clinical Cardiac Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist 

A clinical cardiac electrophysiologist, is a doctor who treats rhythm problems of the heart. A cardiac EP is a type of cardiologist. A cardiologist is a doctor who has had 3 or more years of extra training beyond internal medicine to treat problems of the heart 

Testing for arrhythmias

To help diagnose an arrhythmia, a cardiac EP can order or perform tests such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This uses electrodes attached to your chest to record your heart’s electrical activity.
• Electrophysiology study. This is an invasive test in which a wire is put into the heart. It shows problems with the heart’s electrical system.
• Echocardiogram. This uses sound waves to show images of your heart structure.
• Holter monitor. This is a device you wear for 24 to 48 hours. It records your heartbeats using ECG.
• Event recorder. This is a device you wear that records any abnormal rhythms of your heart.
• Stress testing. This looks at how your heart performs when you stress it with exercise.
• Tilt table testing. This looks at how the heart is affected when your body is moved from a lying position to a standing position on a tilting table.
• Blood tests. These are done to check the levels of certain minerals, enzymes, and other chemicals in your blood.
• Implantable loop recorder. This is a small device put in the chest under the skin. It records heart activity when a person feels dizzy or faint.
  
  
  Dr.Joy Mercader                                                
  Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist
  Medical Plaza Makati
  Suite 1706
  Amorsolo St. Legazpi Village Makati City
  
  Hospital Affiliation: Makati Medical Center
  
  Mobile no: +639158597685

“BANGUNGOT”

“BANGUNGOT”

Have you heard of a young male, Asian, or of Asian descent , without prior cardiac complaints, who suddenly died in his sleep, ? Usually, people call this as “ bangungot”. But this is the typical history of someone with “ Brugada syndrome “. This is somehow difficult to catch as the patients usually do not consult a doctor. 

Once the Brugada ECG pattern is recognized , for example, during a routine or annual check up, the patient should be referred accordingly so as he could be advised of the proper management to prevent the catastrophic arrhythmic events that are associated with this syndrome. 
If you have any Cardiology or Electrophysiology concerns, you may contact or visit us at:
 click here >  Dra Mary Joseph Mercader

Do You Need an Electrophysiologist?

Do You Need an Electrophysiologist?

If you have an irregular heartbeat, you may need to see a specialist on heart rhythm diseases, an Electrophysiologist. If you have concerns like this, you may visit or contact us...click here        
             Dr.Joy Mercader                                                
Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist
Medical Plaza Makati
Suite 1706
Amorsolo St. Legazpi Village Makati City

Hospital Affiliation: Makati Medical Center

Mobile no: +639158597685

#Electrophysiology #pacemakers

 — em Makati Medical Center.                                                                                                                                       

Healthy Heart Tips

 Healthy Heart Tips 

click here 

There are ways to take greater control—to ensure that your own heart health is the best it can be—even if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease. Although 50% of cardiovascular-disease risk is genetic, the other 50% can be modified by how you live your life, This means you can greatly reduce a high genetic risk or greatly worsen a low genetic risk. Your fate really lies largely in your hands. Having that kind of control over your heart health is particularly welcome news right now, with cardiovascular disease remaining the number-one killer of both men and women. Largely preventable heart problems killed around 42,000 Filipinos in 2017 ( deaths from   heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and related conditions in 2017 that likely could have been avoided ). Many of these cardiovascular events are happening to middle-aged adults—who we wouldn’t normally consider to be at risk. Most of these events can be prevented through daily actions to help lower risk and better manage medical conditions. Ask yourselves, “ what else can you do to protect your heart?”...

Moreover, If you have an irregular heartbeat, you may need to see a specialist on heart rhythm disorders, an Electrophysiologist who can diagnose and help treat arrhythmias.

You may contact or visit us:

Dr.Joy Mercader
Cardiologist-Electrophysiologist

Medical Plaza Makati
Suite 1706
Amorsolo St. Legazpi Village Makati City

Hospital Affiliation: Makati Medical Center

Mobile no: +639158597685 

#Electrophysiology #healthyheartadvice #Cardiologist #Electrophysiologist
#Cardiology