Recent Advancements in Cardiology

One of the common cardiac problems that patients face is shrinkage in the arteries. For many of these patients, bypass surgery is recommended. For some, angioplasty is recommended. In angioplasty, blocks are removed through a technique called angiogram. 

Dr. A. B. Gopalamurugan, a senior interventional cardiologist at Kauvery Hospital, explains that the treatment plan chosen for elderly patients should be one that improves the quality of life of the patient. He says that old people might undergo an open-heart surgery and come out of it successfully but what truly matters is if after surgery their quality of life has seen an improvement.

Angioplasty as an Alternative to Bypass Surgery

Dr Gopalamurugan explains that most of the surgeries he does, feature angioplasty with highly sophisticated techniques instead of bypass surgery. Earlier, bypass surgery was the only option available to patients but now this is not the case. Unfortunately, the fact that there is an option is not known to many people. He suggests that patients get an opinion from both a cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon to arrive at what is known as a heart team decision. This decision is one that has the best interest of the patient at heart. It is one which improves the symptoms of the patient and leads to an improved quality of life for the patient. It should also be the least invasive procedure. These three factors are of paramount importance while deciding on the treatment plan.

Read also Top 10 Reasons For Heart Attack

Overcoming a Few Myths

In today’s day and age, a majority of the patients are treated without bypass surgery. However, many people are still skeptical and believe that if there is a block in the main vessel or if there are three or more blocks then bypass surgery is warranted. Dr Gopalamurugan reassures that this is not true. He says that the results of angioplasty are very similar to bypass surgery and the quality of life that the patient leads after angioplasty is even better than after bypass. There is concurrence on this from all over the world.

However, he stresses that before opting for any procedure, patients should have a thorough discussion with their cardiologist or cardiac surgeon and then decide on the best course of action.

To watch Dr Gopalamurugan, explain the advantages of angioplasty click 

Also watch Dr. S. Aravinda Kumar presents insights on Cardiovascular Disorders at Trichy

World Heart Day - TAVR World Tour

Bathing After a Meal Delays Digestion

The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes in our day-to-day life. Some of these changes may be considered insignificant, but in the long run, their effects on our body are definitely not insignificant to say the least. One such lifestyle change that has been brought about is that many people now no longer bathe before lunch, preferring to postpone bathing to after lunch. This might seem like a trivial thing, but as Dr Muralidharan Parthasarathy of Kauvery Hospital explains, bathing after meals has more repercussions than we realize.

Dr Muralidharan who is a general, GI, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, explains that the pandemic has changed the way we live. Our daily routine of getting up, bathing, breakfasting and then leaving for work has been upset because of many factors caused by the pandemic. As a result, people bathe at times convenient to them, often after meals, not realizing that this has adverse effects on their digestion.

Read: How to exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic

How Is Digestion Affected?

When we eat, an increased volume of blood supply is needed by the stomach and small intestine to aid in the process of digestion. If we bathe after a meal, the bath causes a change in our body temperature. This in turn results in an increased requirement of blood by the skin and other parts. Therefore, the blood that was meant to aid in digestion is now diverted to the skin. This practice of bathing after meals, when it is done on a regular basis, puts people at risk of many digestion disorders.

Read: What is the difference between Indigestion and Heart burn?

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Dr Muralidharan explains that it is best to wait for at least an hour after lunch and then bathe. Even better would be to take a bath before lunch. These simple solutions could avoid digestion problems.

To listen to Dr Muralidharan himself explain digestion issues caused by variations in bathing times, 

Understanding the Usage of a Finger Pulse Oximeter

The importance of a finger pulse oximeter is something we keep hearing about nowadays because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all aware that the finger pulse oximeter is an extremely useful device but what exactly are its uses and how it helps us during these difficult times is still unclear to people who aren’t a part of the medical field.

Coronavirus affects the lungs; the lungs perform the key function of absorbing the oxygen from the air that we inhale. As a result, when the lungs are affected, the process of oxygen filtration is hindered. This is what causes the main COVID-19 symptoms of shortness of breath and inability to breathe deeply. The finger pulse oximeter monitors this drop in oxygen level.

The finger pulse oximeter is extremely useful in:

• Monitoring oxygen saturation for people in home quarantine

• Keeping an eye on people who are suffering from mild COVID symptoms

Ease of Use

The device is small and portable and is available in a small cardboard box in which are present other than the finger pulse oximeter itself, two batteries and one detachable rope. Before using the device, the batteries have to be inserted through a push open cover at the back. The device is then ready for use.

Read: COVID 19 – Airborne Spread Is the New Risk

Measurement of Parameters

After switching on the pulse oximeter, the index finger should be placed in the probe. Information on two important parameters will be displayed:

• The oxygen saturation level or SpO2

• Pulse rate

SpO2 indicates the oxygen carrying ability of the blood. For a normal person, this value can be anywhere between 96-100. A reading below 94 shows that the working of the lungs has been affected.

The pulse rate is the number of heartbeats per minute. This value for a normal person can lie anywhere between 60-90 beats per minute. Oxygen saturation levels lesser than 94 and pulse rates of 50 beats per minute or lesser require immediate examination by a doctor.

By keeping track of these two important parameters, patients can conveniently self-assess at home and can stay alert to any deterioration in health.

Read: How to exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic

Few Pointers to Keep in Mind

• The finger pulse oximeter will automatically turn off if the presence of the index finger in the probe is not detected for 10 seconds.

• Proper placement of fingers in the probe is very important to get correct readings.

• Nails painted with nail polish and the use of artificial nails while measuring can lead to incorrect SpO2 readings.

• While measuring, any excessive or jerky movements need to be avoided to get accurate readings.

To get a detailed understanding about the usage of a pulse oximeter visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIbqgcBbzZI