There are three approaches when dealing with heart diseases: invasive, non-invasive, and interventional cardiology.

The difference between these three approaches explained by Dr. Dinesh Sehgal, Director Cardiology Department at Sapra Multispecialty Hospital.

Non-invasive: The non-invasive procedure usually involves external tests rather than the insertion of body fluids, needles, or other such devices to diagnose heart disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or other heart conditions. This feature usually prevents further complications of the heart. Overall, this does not include the breakdown of the skin or any part of the body. These procedures are as simple as listening to the heartbeat, being non-invasive to perform such tasks, as well as taking a pulse and blood pressure. This evaluation is also useful in cases where patients are suspected to have valve disease, chest pain or another history of heart diseases. Further conditions treated in this way are nuclear cardiology, echocardiography (to identify the pumping of blood, infection, or any structural abnormalities), cardiac electrophysiology (electric currents to produce and evaluate the heartbeat). , Treadmill stress test (how to perform one under stress). Holter – Heart monitor, echocardiogram, trans-esophageal echocardiogram, myocardial perfusion scan and CT scan (for diseases of the heart and atherosclerosis). In most of these procedures, imaging using ultrasound waves, tape recorders, or electric currents are used to monitor cardiac activity.

Invasive: It is a minimally invasive procedure to identify heart abnormalities. Such procedures are usually minor surgeries that need to be broken into the patient’s skin. These include perforation, catheterization, incision, etc. Such procedures are used in situations such as angioplasty (arteries blocked by a balloon are opened to increase blood flow) and Stenting (a stent – a thin metal needle inserted to open a vein). In addition, invasive procedures are conducted for coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement surgery, electrophysiology, right heart catheterization, permanent pacemaker digestion, automated transplant cardiac defibrillator (ACID), for acute chest pain. The equipment used is usually laparoscopic and remote controlled for these procedures.

Interventional: The interventional cardiologists perform treatment / traditional treatments for severe cardiovascular diseases to ensure that blood is delivered to the heart later and to other parts of the body. This approach uses a small catheter used to repair arteries or vessels or other parts of the heart surrounding areas i.e. treatment of structural heart diseases. Occasionally, angioplasty and stenting may be referred to as traditional procedures because they are catheter-based and require the opening of blocked arteries. Other conditions treated by this method are coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries), heart valve disease (not working well in relation to blood flow), peripheral vascular disease (clogged or hardened arteries and veins), Pericardiensis, transesophageal echocardiograms, and plaques. Invasive and interventional cardiology is closely related to where cardiologists work on similar techniques to overcome a patient’s disease.

Coronary Angiography is an X-ray of the arteries in the heart. It helps in viewing how blood flows in the arteries.

How Coronary Angiography is done?

Coronary Angiography is done using a thin flexible tube called Catheter. Through the catheter, a liquid dye is injected into the desired artery. The point from where the catheter is drawn can be arm or groin. This point is cleaned and numbed with local anesthesia.  Then the hollow tube called catheter is induced into the artery and the dye injected to show the flow of blood on the X-ray. Wherever there is a blockage or narrowing blood vessel, it shows on the X-ray. The whole process took nearly 30 to 60 minutes.

In Coronary angiography, the patient is discharged from the hospital after several hours or the next day.

Precautions and Risks after Angiography:

There are some precautions that every heart patient undergone Angiography should follow.

They must take ample liquid diet to prevent dehydration and for flushing of excess dye injected during the procedure.

Do not lift heavy objects for a week if the catheter is injected through the groin.

Puncture site may be slightly bruised and have a small bump for some days.

Call the cardiologist or visit the hospital if symptoms like bleeding, new bruising or swelling, discomfort at the catheter site.

Infection, such as redness or fever, change in color of the leg or arm that was used for the procedure and Weakness or numbness in the leg or arm where the catheter was inserted.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal told “What basically Heart Pain is”? Typical heart pain must be taken seriously and instant attention is needed. Typical heart pain is a central pressure like feeling over the chest, often depicted as an elephant is sitting on the chest. Heart pain can radiate to the arms, back, and jaws. With exertion, it often worsens, association with shortness of breath, and calms down with rest. Nausea and sweating can accompany heart pain. If Heart pain happens at rest and persists for long, then heart pain is unstable and immediate medical attention should be sought.

The symptoms of a typical heart pain include tiredness or just slowing down or being unable to do as much as in the past. Fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness may occur. Indigestion may be there with some leg swelling and shortness of breath.

 If you have symptoms of heart pain such as those outlined, it is important to visit cardiologist as early as possible. If symptoms occur at rest or more frequently then instant medical attention is needed.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal ( Interventional cardiologist at Sapra Multispeciality Hospital, Hisar suggests that a person should eat food to prevent Heart stroke are:

1. Fruits: Add servings of fresh fruits in your daily diet. Try to incorporate fruit into or after each small meal that you eat.

2. Vegetables: Vegetables are filled with good nutrients including fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Because of all these nutrients, add a raw and cooked form of vegetables in your daily diet to prevent heart diseases.

3. Whole Grains: Stop using processed and refined bread and pasta. Start using whole grains which are rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, B vitamins and dietary fiber.

4. Nuts: These are heart-healthy snack only when used in moderate amount. They help in maintaining cholesterol level as it contains good cholesterol (unsaturated fats). Nuts should be eaten in the limit as they include high calories.

5. Omega 3 Fatty acid-rich food: Include foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids as they help in alleviating the high triglycride level. Good source of Omega 3 fatty acids is seafood including salmon and tuna fish, oyster.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal, (Cardiologist) also suggest what foods should a person must avoid

Sodium intake: It is suggested that an adult should take sodium below 2300 mg/day. It is a dietary addition that has a direct correlation with heart health, increasing blood pressure and putting stress on the arteries in the heart.

Cola Drinks: Sodas and juices aren’t good for us. The link between increased sugar in our diets and heart disease, diabetes and stroke is strong.

Red meat and processed foods: This kind of foods contain saturated fats that can increase cholesterol and risk for heart disease and stroke.

There is a strong connection between heart health and diet. Heart illness, stroke, and diabetes fatalities were attributed to diet. Modifying our diets will make it easier for us to have a healthy heart.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal, Interventional cardiologist, Sapra multispeciality Hospital explain some signs and reasons that give you an alarm why you should visit the heart physician for maintaining a healthy heart:

1. High Cholesterol level: When the total value of Cholesterol (HDL and LDL) becomes high, your risk for heart disease increases. Always keep a check on cholesterol level with the guidance of your doctor.

2. High Blood Pressure: If you are suffering from high blood pressure and it constantly remains high, then you are at high risk of having heart disease.

3. If you are or were a smoker, you have an increased rate of heart disease. Cigarette smoking is injurious not only for lungs but it also damages the lining of arteries wall and causes blockages.

4. Genetics play an important role in determining the rate of Heart disease. If your parents or forefathers were having heart issues, then it is likely that you also can face Heart diseases.

5. Diabetic patients whose blood sugar level remains high are more susceptible to suffer from High BP, High Cholesterol and Obesity.

6. Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is a condition in which an expectant mother develops high blood pressure. The condition has been linked to a fourfold increase in the risk of heart failure, making pregnancy the most dangerous time for a woman’s heart outside of the post-menopausal years.

7. Tooth and Gum Disease: Patients with swollen gums often have heart disease.

8. Last but not least, when your family doctor or Physician recommends you to see a cardiologist, you must pay attention to their words and visit the specialized physician as soon as possible.