'physical activity'

TMT is the abbreviation for Treadmill Test. The TMT Testing takes into account, the measurement of the blood circulation inside the body (blood pressure) when a patient walks/runs on a treadmill. TMT Testing helps to determine the impact which a physical stress can have on your heart. The test is conducted to find out how efficiently your heart responds when you’re made to exercise in a cloistered environment. The test is performed on OPD basis and requires no hospitalization. Why TMT? A TMT is performed to ascertain the following conditions. • To identify a congenital heart problem like Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) wherein blood vessels/arteries get clogged, diseased or damaged • To determine the functioning of your heart post a heart-attack or angioplasty • To detect repressed heart conditions like shallow breathing, dizziness, chest discomfort and abrupt bodily weaknesses • To monitor the efficacy of medications applied to cure diseases such as angina and ischemia • To discern any abnormal heartbeat rate because of exertion caused by exercise Who Should Undergo? A treadmill stress test is helpful for patients who: • Are suspected of having a cardiovascular issue due to the presence of some symptoms • Have a family history of chronic heart diseases • Chronic or long-time smokers • Are taking heart medications • Have an existing heart condition • Have hypertension, high cholesterol problems, and diabetes What it includes? The cardiac stress test involves several elements, which can help reveal a blockage in several ways: • Electrocardiogram (ECG): These same effects alter not only the heart rate but the heart rhythm as well. With CAD, the changes are characteristic and may be identified with an ECG. • Blood oxygen level monitoring: When the blood flow is obstructed (a condition known as ischemia), the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart and carried from the lungs is decreased. • Pulse and blood pressure monitoring: When the blood flow is partially obstructed by plaque, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed vessels. What are the Risks? • an allergic reaction to the dye, in a nuclear stress test • abnormal heart rhythms, but these usually end when the test does • Unstable angina not yet stabilized with medication • flushing or chest pain

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is dangerous because it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, or kidney disease. The goal of hypertension treatment is to lower high blood pressure and protect important organs, like the brain, heart, and kidneys from damage. High blood pressure is now classified as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 and diastolic over 80. To prevent high blood pressure, everyone should be encouraged to make lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthier diet, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise. Treatment with medication is recommended to lower blood pressure to less than 130/80 in people older than age 65 and those with risk factors such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Treating high blood pressure involves lifestyle changes and possibly drug therapy. Lifestyle Changes to Treat High Blood Pressure - A critical step in preventing and treating high blood pressure is a healthy lifestyle. You can lower your blood pressure with the following lifestyle changes: • Losing weight if you are overweight or obese • Quitting smoking • Eating a healthy diet, including the DASH diet (eating more fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products, less saturated and total fat) • Getting regular aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day, several days a week) • Limiting alcohol Symptoms of high blood pressure - Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. This is why it’s sometimes called “the silent killer.” It is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Some people experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath with high blood pressure. What causes high blood pressure? Food, medicine, lifestyle, age, and genetics can cause high blood pressure. Your doctor can help you find out what might be causing yours. Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include: • A diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol. • Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol. • Family history, especially if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure. • Lack of physical activity. • Some birth control medicines. • Stress • Tobacco use or drinking too much alcohol.

If your heart seems to skip a beat, race, or work a bit too slow, you could have a condition known as arrhythmia. Your doctor might suggest you wear a device called a Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a battery-operated portable device that measures and records your heart’s activity (ECG) continuously for 24 to 48 hours or longer depending on the type of monitoring used. The device is the size of a small camera. It has wires with silver dollar-sized electrodes that attach to your skin. The Holter monitor and other devices that record your ECG as you go about your daily activities are called ambulatory electrocardiograms. A doctor may ask for Holter monitoring if a person has symptoms such as: • a fast or slow heartbeat • dizziness • weakness or fatigue • chest pain Why might I need a Holter monitor? Some reasons for your healthcare provider to request a Holter monitor recording or event monitor recording include: • To evaluate chest pain that can’t be reproduced with exercise testing • To evaluate other signs and symptoms that may be heart-related, such as tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting • To identify irregular heartbeats or palpitations • To see how well a pacemaker is working • To determine how well treatment for complex arrhythmias is working What are the risks of a Holter monitor? The Holter monitor is an easy way to assess the heart’s function. Risks associated with the Holter monitor are rare. It can be hard to keep the electrodes stuck to your skin, and extra tape may be needed. It may be uncomfortable when the sticky electrodes and tape are taken off. If the electrodes are on for a long time, they may cause tissue breakdown or skin irritation at the application site.

A coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries (the main blood vessels supplying the heart). The term “angioplasty” means using a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery. However, most modern angioplasty procedures also involve inserting a short wire-mesh tube, called a stent, into the artery during the procedure. The stent is left in place permanently to allow blood to flow more freely. Coronary angioplasty is sometimes known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The combination of coronary angioplasty with stenting is usually referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). What are the types of Angioplasty? There are different types of coronary angioplasty procedures. Each one decreases blockage in a different way. • Balloon angioplasty – A small balloon is inflated inside the artery to “crack” the blockage and push it against the wall of the artery • Atherectomy – The blocked area inside the artery is “shaved” away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter • Stent – A tiny coil made of metal is expanded inside the artery and is left in place to keep the artery open. This is the most common procedure when performing a coronary angioplasty. When a coronary angioplasty is used? Like all organs in the body, the heart needs a constant supply of blood. This is supplied by the coronary arteries. In older people, these arteries can become narrowed and hardened (known as atherosclerosis), which can cause coronary heart disease. If the flow of blood to the heart becomes restricted, it can lead to chest pain known as angina, which is usually triggered by physical activity or stress. While angina can often be treated with medication, a coronary angioplasty may be required to restore the blood supply to the heart in severe cases where medication is ineffective. Coronary angioplasties are also often used as an emergency treatment after a heart attack. What are the benefits of a coronary angioplasty? In most cases, the blood flow through the coronary arteries improves after an angioplasty. Many people find their symptoms get significantly better and they’re able to do more than they could before the procedure. If you’ve had a heart attack, an angioplasty can increase your chances of surviving more than clot-busting medication (thrombolysis). The procedure can also reduce your chances of having another heart attack in the future. How safe is a coronary angioplasty? A coronary angioplasty is 1 of the most common types of treatment for the heart. Coronary angioplasties are most commonly performed in people aged 65 or older, as they’re more likely to have heart disease. As the procedure doesn’t involve making major incisions in the body, it’s usually carried out safely in most people. Doctors refer to this as a minimally invasive form of treatment. The risk of serious complications from a coronary angioplasty is generally small, but this depends on factors such as: • your age • your general health • whether you’ve had a heart attack