I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.
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Dementia and Your Loved One
What An Echocardiogram Can Reveal About The Structure And Function Of Your Heart
Vickie Armstrong
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive imaging test that can help detect different cardiovascular problems. Since the echocardiogram displays a live picture of your heart, there are several issues related to structure and function that can be detected.
Size
There will be some variation in the size of the human heart, with smaller people naturally having a smaller heart. When the size of the heart goes outside the normal range, it can be indicative of problems. For example, during imaging, there may be evidence of an enlarged heart. Much like other muscles in the body, the heart will increase in size, either temporarily or permanently, to meet the body's demands. All or some of the heart may be enlarged and this could is associated with a heart that is weak and cannot pump efficiently. Depending on your age, the abnormality could be congenital or it may have occurred after several years of dealing with chronic diseases, especially hypertension.
Valve Function
The valves in your heart allow blood to pass through the chambers and also prevents blood from going the wrong direction. Some valve function problems can be detected with an echocardiogram, such as stenosis or calcification of a valve. In this instance, the valve may not open enough to be effective because it is too narrow or stiff to work. Another concern is regurgitation, which is when blood flows backward through the valve because it does not close properly. Valve issues need to be repaired surgically, sometimes requiring a procedure to replace the defective heart valve with an artificial one.
Abnormalities Around The Heart
Imaging is not only valuable for seeing inside the heart, but pictures can be taken of activity around the heart. The heart lives in a layer of thin tissue called the pericardium. Sometimes the layer of tissue can fill with blood or excess fluid (cardiac tamponade) which will eventually impair the heart's ability to beat correctly. The fluid needs to be released from the pericardium and in the case of bleeding, the source of bleeding needs to be found and controlled. Another issue that can occur around the heart is inflammation. Pericarditis causes problems because the small amount of fluid that is normally around the heart no longer prevents the pericardium from rubbing against the heart. People with autoimmune diseases or a recent viral infection are more likely to develop pericarditis.
Whether an echocardiogram is done alone or as part of a stress test, it is invaluable to see the structure and function of the heart. Echocardiography is a quick and effective way of seeing different aspects of the heart to help diagnose or rule out various conditions.
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