An echocardiogram, also referred to as echo or echocardiography, is a type of routine examination for evaluating how well your heart’s chambers and valves are pumping blood. This test is recommended for people who are showing symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pains, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. There are different types of echocardiograms, each of which uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the heart and its structures and reveal abnormalities and ... [Read More]
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Visiting a center for primary care during the covid-19 pandemic
Access to primary care is something every person should have. It is through regular visits to a primary care doctor that patients get health checks that can reveal potentially serious health issues in early stages. If you haven’t left your home to visit a center for primary care since the start of the pandemic, you are missing out on the benefits of annual checks, wellness checks, and screenings. The CDC has released guidelines for health centers, including primary care clinics, since last ... [Read More]
When Should You See a Physician for Unintentional Weight Loss?
For most of us, losing weight is a good thing – but if you’re suddenly losing weight for no apparent reason, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to have it checked. If you haven’t been sick, haven’t changed your diet, and haven’t been getting more exercise than usual, the weight loss may signify an underlying health condition. Let’s talk about some of the signs that indicate you should seek an evaluation by an internal medicine specialist for unintentional weight loss, and where you can go for ... [Read More]
Interpreting Your Results After an Echocardiogram
If your recent checkup uncovered a possible heart issue, your internist may have ordered an echocardiogram. This is an ultrasound of the heart, showing real-time video of its function and structure just like an ultrasound of a fetus during a pregnancy. Note that this is different than an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which is a graph-like tracking of a heart’s rhythm. An echocardiogram is performed to monitor your heart and valves for issues such as infection or heart disease. Your internal ... [Read More]
Why Would a Physician Recommend That I Receive Cardiac Testing?
There are a number of reasons why a doctor would recommend cardiac testing. Among these are that you are showing symptoms of heart disease, you have strong risk factors for it, or you’ve had a recent heart attack. You may hear a lot of cardiac testing names when you visit your doctor. If you’re wondering what these are and why they’re required, let’s take a closer look at their descriptions and uses. Electrocardiogram (ECG) An ECG is a diagnostic test that measures your heart’s rhythm and ... [Read More]
