Diagnostic Tests for Cardiomyopathy and AHA CPR Classes in Nashville, TN

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure. The main types of cardiomyopathy include dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Treatments range from medications, surgically implanted devices to a heart transplant in severe cases which depends on which type of cardiomyopathy one has and how serious it is.

The best way to handle cardiac emergencies in out-of-hospital cases is by going for an American Heart Association CPR ClassNashville in Tennessee. You can sign up for a program at the AHA accredited CPR Nashville. Certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. At the end of the classes, a student becomes eligible for a certification after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. 

Diagnostic Tests:

A healthcare provider may recommend one of the following diagnostic tests:

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): An EKG records the heart’s electrical activity, which shows how fast the heart is beating and whether its rhythm is steady or irregular. An EKG can be used to detect cardiomyopathy as well as other problems like heart attacks, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and heart failure. 

Chest X-ray- A chest X-ray takes pictures of the organs and structures inside the chest, and also shows whether the heart is enlarged. 

Echocardiogram (Echo)- An echocardiogram (echo) is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart which shows the size and shape of the heart as well as how well or not well the heart is working. There are several types of echocardiography which include “stress echo” with another type being “transesophageal echo (or TEE)” that provides a view of the back of the heart.

Holter and event monitors- Both these devices record the heart’s electrical activity during the normal day-to-day activities. While a Holter monitor records the heart’s electrical activity for a full 24- or 48-hour period, an event monitor records the heart’s electrical activity only at certain times.

Stress Test- Stress tests may include nuclear heart scanning, echo, and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. The main objective is to make the heart work hard (and beat fast) while tests are performed.

Some of the diagnostic procedures involves:

1.      Myocardial biopsy- This procedure involves the doctor removing a piece of the heart muscle, which can be done during cardiac catheterization which is then studied under a microscope to see whether changes in cells have occurred, that may indicate cardiomyopathy.

2.      Cardiac catheterization- This procedure helps in checking the pressure and blood flow in the heart’s chambers.

3.      Genetic Testing- Genetic testing can show how Cardiomyopathy runs in families and can reveal the chances of parents passing the genes for the disease on to their children. A healthcare provider may suggest this procedure to look for signs of the disease in your parents, brothers and sisters or other family members.

Contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims by joining a CPR program today. You can either register for a course online at CPR Nashville or call on 615-397-9316.