Heart failure is a condition in which, as a result of various factors (myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle, rhythm disorders, conditions after a myocardial infarction, genetic diseases of the heart muscle), the pumping function of the heart is reduced.

Symptoms related to heart failure:
– chest oppression (squeezing)
– shortness of breath
– reduced physical capacity
– bilateral swellings on the lower limbs
– rhythm disorders

For patients with heart failure, after diagnosis, individual drug therapy is administered, which aims to improve the pumping function of the heart muscle.

Arrhythmias are common symptoms that are a direct risk for experiencing thromboembolic conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
In the presence of rhythm disturbances, a large number of patients complain of chest discomfort, restlessness, seizures, dizziness and variable blood pressure levels.

The most common rhythm disorders are:
– atrial fibrillation
– atrial flutter
– sinus tachycardia
– ventricular tachycardia
– bradycardia
– sinus arrest
– AB block

In the presence of the above-mentioned symptoms, we recommend a consultation with a cardiologist and an ECG-Holter examination, which will help the doctor clarify your condition and take correct therapeutic actions.

Cardiovascular cardiology is aimed at patients who have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In the presence of symptoms such as shortness of breath, reduced physical capacity, chest oppression (pressure) and pain in the area of ​​the left chest, we recommend consulting a cardiologist. The cardiologist will conduct the necessary set of tests and, depending on your risk profile, prescribe the right therapy and procedure.

The studies that are recommended to be carried out are:
– ECG
– Echocardiography
– Laboratory tests to establish a risk profile
– ECG stress test
– coronary angiography – only when a pathological finding is established

Why should patients who are being treated for oncological diseases necessarily visit a cardiologist?

Cardio-oncology is an innovative approach to the diagnosis and follow-up of patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy within the framework of the treatment of an oncological disease. In published studies in recent years, it has been proven that patients undergoing cytostatic therapy and radiotherapy have an increased risk of developing heart failure and rhythm-conduction disorders as a side effect of the therapy.

At particular risk for this complication are patients who have been treated by:
– Lymphomas
– Leukemia
– Breast cancer
– Lung cancer
– Carcinoma of the stomach.

Due to the established risk, the authoritative cardiology societies in the world recommend the follow-up of patients from this group by carrying out specific diagnostics before, during and after the applied oncotherapy.

The goal is that patients at increased risk of the aforementioned complications be identified in time and to apply therapy to interrupt the process.

The recommended tests for follow-up by a cardiologist in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy are:
– ECG
– Echocardiography with strain conduction (integrated artificial intelligence)
– Laboratory tests to establish a risk profile
– ECG stress test
– coronary angiography – only when a pathological finding is established.