Nhs Patients can now just monitor their Heart health At home with the new Philips EPACT, an effective device designed to simplify the diagnosis of heart rhythm.
Unlike traditional methods that require special settings and numerous wires, the EPACC is a favorable post for easy fastening at home.
After a few days of wear, patients simply set up a patch back. Its collected data is analyzed by cardiologists, advanced AI tools, before the clinician finish.
The Frimley Health NHS Trust Foundation is the first in the country to be expelled by the device, and the aspirations for a broader adoption throughout other NHS trusts. Epatch can explore different arrhythmias, including Atrium fibrillationTachycardia and heart blocks.
Arhythmias can attend in different forms, so we have contacted Dr. Oliver Segal, a consulting cardiologist and electrophysiologist in Harley Street, partly HCA Healthcare UKTo find out how to recognize and manage these terms.
What is arrhythmia?
“Arrhythmia is a problem with a heart electric system, which controls how the heart is knocking,” Segal explains. “Normally, electrical signals cause the heart beat in a stable, coordinated rhythm.
“However, in arrhythms, these signals become irregular or disturbed, causing the heart too fast, too slow, or in an uneven sample can affect how well the heart pumps around the body.”
What are the main types of arrhythmia?
“The atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common serious arrhythmia, where the upper chambers (atria) heart beat in a quick and irregular way,” Segal says. “AF may significantly increase the risk of stroke and often occurs without noticed Symptomsmaking a projection important in some individuals. “
Bradycardia and tachycardia are also quite common types of arrhythmias.
“Bradycardia is when the heart crosses too slowly that can cause fatigue, dizziness or untreated,” Segal explains. “While tachycardia is when the heart beats too fast. This can occur from the upper chambers (supraventricular tachycardia) or the lower chamber (ventricular tachycardia), which can be more dangerous.
“Other arrhythmias include premature atrial or ventricular contractions (additional beats) and rare conditions such as ventricular fibrillation.”
What factors can contribute to / cause a heart rhythm problem?
“Risk factors include heart disease, high blood pressure (which can load the heart over time) and thyroid problems, especially the thyroid thyroid (hypertiitoroid),” says Segal. “In addition, older and family history can also increase the risk.”
Certain factors of life such as smoking and drinks may have an impact.
“Excessive alcohol intake, too much caffeine, smoking and recreational drugs increase the risk,” the cardiologist records. “Stress And anxiety can also activate palpitations or arrhythmias. “
Some prescription and medications without prescription can affect the rhythm of the heart, adds.
“However, sometimes arrhythmias appear without the obvious cause to be called idiopathic,” says Segal.
What symptoms should we look after?
“Symptoms It may vary, but often involve palpitations (fluttering, racing, hitting or light-headed blood reduction, “Highlight has Segal.” Especially during physical activity), fatigue or weakness due to inefficient heart pumping and unconscious or near episode. “
When should we get in touch with our GP about these symptoms?
“If someone regularly experiences these symptoms, especially if they make it worse or interfere with everyday life, they should talk to your GP,” Segal advises. “Tests such as an ECG Or a 24-hour heart monitor can help explore further. “
When should we call 999 or go to A & E about these symptoms?
“Look for an emergency room immediately if someone experiences strong chest pain or pressure, a sudden collapse or loss of consciousness and / or heavy breath,” says Segal. “Also, you are looking for an ambulance if palpitations follow dizziness or unconsciousness or weakness or stiffness on one side of the body or difficulty who may indicate a stroke.”
How can heart rate requirements be treated and managed?
Treatment depends on the type and weight of arrhythmias.
“Medications include beta blockers or calcium blockage to slow the heartbeat, anti-arrhythmic drugs to restore normal rhythm and anticoagulants to reduce the risk of stroke, especially in AF”, especially in AF. “
Lifestyle changes can also give a noticeable difference.
“Reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, smoking, stress, maintaining a healthy diet, regularly and controls other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes,” says Segal “.
When is the operation under consideration and what is it included?
If drugs are not effective or suitable, procedures such as pacemaker implant, catheter abslation or implanting cardioverter defibrillator can be recommended.
“Implantation” Pejsmejker is when a small device is placed under the skin to regulate slow or irregular heartbeats and the implantative cardioverter defibrillator can be used to detect and correct hazardous arrhythmias, “Segal explains.
“The catheter ablation is a minimal invasive treatment (radio frequency), cold (cryoablation) or a pulsed field of field to destroy the small areas of abnormal heart tissue. This can often cure or significantly improve symptoms.”