Heart Disease

Although there is no single identifying symptom for heart disease, there are several classic symptoms, which may vary slightly between men and women. Generally, these symptoms include pain or discomfort in the chest that comes on with activity and goes away with rest; shortness of breath or unusual tiredness with activity; activities that used to be easy become difficult. Symptoms also include a sense of heaviness, pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning, tightness or other discomfort in your chest, shoulder, arm, neck or jaw, which doesn't go away.

Heart disease accounts for the death of more Canadians than any other disease. In 1998 (the latest year for which Statistics Canada has data), cardiovascular disease accounted for 79,389 Canadian deaths.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 35% of all male deaths in Canada in 1998 were due to heart diseases, diseases of the blood vessels and stroke. For women, the toll was even higher - 38% of all female deaths in 1998 were due to cardiovascular disease.

How it affects Canadians:

Diagnosing Heart Disease

There are numerous diagnostic tests which can be performed and interpreted by a radiologist to help in the detection and diagnosis of heart disease.
THERE ARE MANY DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AVAILABLE TO DOCTORS TODAY They involve:

CT Scan - is used to detect structural abnormalities within your heart, lungs, major blood vessels and supporting structures in the chest.

Echocardiography - high frequency ultrasound waves are bounced off structures in your heart and blood vessels to produce a moving image and allow the radiologist to see if the heart valves are working properly.

Fluoroscopy - is a continuous x-ray procedure that produces a moving image of your heart and lungs, which is shown on a screen.

MRI - creates a powerful magnetic field, which is used to build detailed images of your heart and chest cavity the addition of contrast agents, which are given intravenously, are used to help identify areas of poor blood flow within your heart muscle.

Cardiac catheterization - (coronary angioplasty) is used for both diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. The procedure involves inserting a catheter, which is a small tube, through an artery or vein either in an arm or leg, and advancing it into the major vessels of the heart chamber. Catheters may be used to measure your blood pressure, widen a narrowed heart valve, view the inside of your blood vessels or clear a blocked artery. Catheters are also used to determine how much damage your heart muscle may have sustained.

Cardio pulmonary catheterisation - uses a specially designed catheter with a balloon at its tip. The catheter can be inserted into a vein in your arm or neck and threaded through the right atrium and the right ventricle of your heart, to the opening of your pulmonary artery. The catheter is used to measure blood pressure in the major vessels of your heart chambers and also to measure how much blood your heart is sending to your lungs. Blood samples may also be taken through the catheter, which are analyzed for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Metabolic studies of your blood can also be done. Heart muscle tissue can be obtained and biopsied, (microscope examination), and blood pressures within your heart chambers and major blood vessels can be determined.

Treatment of Heart Disease

There are many treatments for heart disease and the affects of the disease including drug therapy, surgery, interventional radiology procedures as well as diet and exercise.

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