For various heart diseases, a number of specific blood tests are performed. Based on the results of such studies, one can judge the state of a person’s cardiovascular system and the degree of heart disease. What are these specific tests, and how to take them correctly?

Specific blood test - cardiac profile

Cardiological profile name a number of specific blood tests that allow you to assess the likelihood of damage to myocardial cells and assess risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Thanks to the cardiological profile, it is possible to identify lesions of the heart and blood vessels in the early stages, prevent the development of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and also assess the likelihood of myocardial infarction.

Indications for a specific blood test - cardiological profile

- atherosclerosis

- coronary heart disease

- high blood pressure

- tachycardia, arrhythmia, bradycardia

- have had a stroke or heart attack

What indicators are included in the cardiac profile?

Lipidogram (or lipid profile) necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

ASAT (aspartate aminotransferase, AST)- a cellular enzyme that takes part in the metabolism of amino acids in organs and tissues. An indicator of myocardial infarction is an increase in AST activity in the serum. Normal AST values ​​for women are no more than 31 U/l, for men no more than 37 U/l.

Creatine kinase (creatine phosphokinase, CK, CPK)- this is also an enzyme that functions as a catalyst (accelerator) for the conversion of ATP.

KFK-MV part of cardiac muscle cells. Normal values ​​for women are no more than 145 U/l, for men no more than 171 U/l.

LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)- a zinc-containing enzyme involved in glucose conversion processes and is present in almost all human tissues and organs. The normal LDH value is less than 247 U/l.

How to take a specific blood test correctly?

The day before the blood test, avoid drinking alcohol, and smoking is prohibited 1 hour before the test. Blood is taken on an empty stomach in the morning. You are only allowed to drink water. It is also recommended to eliminate physical and nervous tension and stress.

The analysis is completed within 24 hours.

(Visited 39 times, 1 visits today)

What are tests? Tests are a confirmation or exclusion of a particular disease about which an opinion was formed after a clinical examination of the patient. With their help, the doctor will find out what exactly is preventing your body from living and working normally, and what is the condition of its individual organs and systems.

So, what do these same tests say if there is pain in the heart area? The determination of enzymes contained inside cells is important in the diagnosis of diseases associated with myocardial damage. And depending on which and how many cells die, their values ​​will change.

Biochemical blood test indicators:

ALT (alanine aminotransferase): up to 68U/l, when assessing the level of this enzyme, it is worth considering that it is contained not only in the myocardium, but to a greater extent in the liver, therefore AST and ALT are always determined together, which helps in distinguishing between damage to the heart and liver. The timing of ALT increases is similar to AST.

AST (aspartate aminotransferase): up to 45U/l, this enzyme is found in large quantities in the myocardium, and its increase, in most cases, indicates damage to cardiomyocytes - the muscle cells of the heart; An increase in AST in the blood serum is observed in myocardial infarction (95-98%) cases within 6-12 hours from the onset of the disease. The maximum increase is observed on days 2-4, and on days 5-7 the enzyme level returns to normal. There is a clear relationship between AST numbers and the size of the focus of cardiac muscle necrosis. Therefore, if the necrosis is less than 5 mm in diameter, it is possible to maintain the level of this enzyme within normal limits, which also must be taken into account.

LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and its constituent fractions: up to 250 U/l, is considered a specific marker for AMI; an increase in the activity of the LDH1 and LDH2 isoenzyme, even with normal levels of general LDH activity, indicates the presence of minor necrosis in the heart muscle. With AMI, its level increases quickly on days 2-4, and normalizes only on weeks 2-3. LDH levels provide valuable information about MI throughout the course of the disease. Other fractions LDH3 and LDH4 are enzymes of the lung tissue, LDH5 - liver enzymes.

CPK (creatine phosphokinase) and the fractions that make up this enzyme: up to 190 U/l, creatine phosphokinase - is considered a specific marker (especially an increase of more than 10 times) in acute myocardial infarction. It increases in the acute period (in the first 4-8 hours from the onset of the disease), much faster than the activity of the above enzymes and is a marker for early diagnosis of AMI, especially the CPK-MB isoenzyme. After 8-14 hours, the CPK value can reach its maximum value, and normalization can occur after 3-4 days. Also, the CPK value may increase with myocarditis;

Troponin test: up to 0.4 µg/l. Troponin is a specific contractile protein that is part of the structure of the heart muscle and skeletal muscles. This test is a diagnostic marker for suspected acute damage to myocardial cells and is one of the key results in diagnosing “acute myocardial infarction”;

Myoglobin: 12-92 µg/l. A protein in muscle tissue involved in the process of cell respiration. If it appears in the blood, it is regarded as a product of the breakdown of the muscle tissue of the heart or skeleton, with the appropriate clinic, it may indicate necrosis (necrosis) of the heart muscle tissue, therefore it is also considered a specific marker of this pathology.

The indicators of ALT, AST, CPK, CPK-MB, LDH, myoglobin and troponin test closely correlate with the size of the necrosis focus in the heart muscle, and therefore have not only diagnostic, but also prognostic significance.

Acid phosphatase: 67-167 nmol/(s·l), increases in activity in patients with severe, complicated MI, mainly transmural;

C-reactive protein (CRP): up to 0.5 mg/l, its detection indicates the presence of a pathological process in the body, in particular inflammatory or necrotic. It belongs to the so-called “acute phase” proteins. A sharply positive reaction to CRP indicates the severity of the inflammatory process.

Sialic acids: 2.0-2.36 mmol/l, the content of sialic acids may increase with endocarditis, MI;

Electrolytes, are mainly represented by K+ ions (normal 3.6 - 5.2 mmol/l), Na+ (normal 135 - 145 mmol/l), Cl- (normal 100 - 106 mmol/l), Ca2+ (normal 2.15 -2.5 mmol/l). An increased amount of potassium in the serum may be accompanied clinically by cardiac arrhythmias, which is confirmed by an ECG. Atrioventricular blockade of the conduction system of the heart may develop, the syndrome of premature excitation of the ventricles, ventricular fibrillation, and such a serious disorder as cardiac arrest may develop. Therefore, patients with heart rhythm disturbances need to monitor the content of K+ ions in the body. On the other hand, a decrease in potassium in the blood can also lead to adverse consequences in these patients - myocardial hyporeflexia. A decrease in the level of sodium ions may be accompanied by the development of cardiovascular system failure, since the ratio of K+ and Na+ ions, as regulators of processes in the cell, is in constant interaction and a decrease in one leads to an increase in the other ion. Hyperchloremia occurs in patients with kidney disease and may also lead to the development of cardiovascular disease;

Lipid spectrum, is associated by the common man with the word "cholesterol". In this case, substances (lipoproteins of various densities, triglycerides) that are involved in the metabolism of cholesterol (CH) are determined (the norm in the blood is 3.1 - 5.2 mmol/l). In addition to the value of total cholesterol, an important indicator is the atherogenicity coefficient (norm up to 4), which shows the ratio of “good” and bad lipids involved in the metabolism of fats and cholesterol, and the threat of development or progression of atherosclerosis and all the ensuing consequences. An increase in the fractions of lipoproteins and triglycerides can be either a physiological condition (of a nutritional nature) or a pathological condition. Increased lipids are characteristic of widespread atherosclerosis, obesity that accompanies and causes arterial hypertension. But it would be more accurate to say that this disruption of the functioning of internal organs and intermediate links in the metabolism of lipids and triglycerides, expressed in an increase in the atherogenicity index, causes the deposition of cholesterol in vessels of various diameters, the deposition of “spare fat,” which leads to the above diseases. Therefore, with widespread atherosclerosis, in this blood test, you can see increased values ​​of ß-lipoproteins and total cholesterol. At the same time, a decrease in phospholipid concentration can be seen. But it is also necessary to take into account that there are age-related fluctuations in blood fats.

Coagulogram- an analysis by which you can look at the “viscosity” of the blood, or in other words, whether there is a threat of blood clots, which can lead to the formation of blood clots with different localizations, which in turn can be complicated by pulmonary embolism, which causes instant death. Or, on the contrary, see how high the probability of bleeding is and whether it can stop on its own after surgery, for example, heart valve replacement.

Any analysis or research provides the doctor with additional information that helps to more accurately make a diagnosis, determine the stage of the disease, and prescribe treatment. Tests also help to monitor the course of the disease, the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, and ensure the safety of therapy. But sometimes additional research is required to confirm or complement the results of past analyzes.

Fedorova Lyubov Alekseevna, doctor of the first category, therapist, cardiologist

Various heart and vascular diseases are the most common cause of death in all countries of the world; even cancer is not yet ahead of them in this sad ranking.

Various sources and professional medicine devote a lot of time and attention to the prevention of cancer; there are even vaccines for some tumors.

And the main problem of modern humanity - diseases of the cardiovascular system - do not receive the necessary level of attention, and their prevention especially suffers.

In order to start treatment on time, every person should know the signs of diseases of the cardiovascular system and promptly seek medical help if they occur.

Basic examination methods at home and careful attention to your well-being will help you see a doctor in time and begin treatment.

Main symptoms

Delay in seeking medical help when problems with the heart and blood vessels occur is due to the fact that the symptoms for most of these diseases are vague, they are confused with diseases of the stomach, lungs, or are not paid attention to them at all.

Even if a person understands that he has problems with the heart and blood vessels, he turns to the pharmacy for help, they sell him whatever they want, in the best case, the symptoms go away, but the cause remains and the disease progresses.

We list the main alarming signs, the appearance of which requires consultation with a cardiologist and additional examination methods:

Shortness of breath or feeling of lack of oxygen.



The appearance of shortness of breath when running or any other physical activity is a normal physiological mechanism that allows you to provide the body with oxygen when there is an increased need for it.

In diseases of the heart and blood vessels, a feeling of lack of air and rapid breathing appears in situations that previously did not require this; in other words, shortness of breath appears during moderate physical activity. In cases of severe heart failure, shortness of breath occurs at rest and with little physical activity.

Attacks of shortness of breath at night.

When the body position changes from horizontal to vertical, such attacks decrease or disappear altogether. As a result, a person begins to gradually increase the size and number of pillows, and eventually begins to sleep while sitting.

Few people understand that this problem is associated with heart failure; usually such patients are brought by ambulance with a suspected attack of bronchial asthma or lung diseases. Indeed, these attacks can be called asthma attacks, only cardiac ones. This is how acute left ventricular failure manifests itself.

The appearance of edema.



There are many reasons for their appearance. Edema associated with heart disease first appears on the legs in the evening and gradually rises from bottom to top.

Patients often turn to doctors for help when swelling appears in women on the anterior wall of the abdomen, and in men in the scrotum area. It is clear that the appearance of edema in such volumes is associated with a severe form of heart failure and such patients are treated with great difficulty.

Pain in the chest area.

Real heart pain, described in classical literature as attacks of “angina pectoris”, can be called pain at a stretch; these sensations are more reminiscent of heaviness, squeezing behind the sternum.

They occur only during physical activity, go away at rest after 5 minutes or disappear immediately after taking nitroglycerin under the tongue. Angina pectoris progresses over time, pain appears with less physical activity, and may eventually appear at rest. The disease appears when the heart vessels fail to cope, and a lack of oxygen occurs in the heart.

Pain in the heart area.

With vegetative-vascular dystonia they can be different. People are often very bothered by stabbing pains in the heart area, which as a result turn out to be osteochondrosis or other diseases of the spine. you need to pay attention to increased pain in the chest when turning and bending the body. Heart pain is not associated with body movements.

Headaches, nausea, spots flashing before the eyes, tinnitus.

All these complaints are characteristic of arterial hypertension. Increased blood pressure very often appears in people after 50 years of age and often goes unnoticed and is discovered during the manifestation of complications.

Therefore, all people, especially those with a hereditary predisposition, need to control their blood pressure levels starting at age 40.

Rhythm disturbances.

Feelings of irregular heartbeat are a reason to consult a cardiologist. In accordance with modern recommendations for the treatment of such conditions, drug therapy is used in all patients who experience interruptions in the functioning of the heart.

Important! In addition to irregular heartbeats, you should see a doctor if your resting heart rate is above 90 beats per minute or below 60 beats per minute.

How to check your heart function at home?

All people over 40 years of age, regardless of the presence of the above symptoms, need to monitor blood pressure levels, pulse rate and regularity.

Any affordable device is suitable for measuring blood pressure. Blood pressure must be measured while sitting, at rest, on both arms and only on the shoulder. If you have recorded pressure several times higher or lower than 110/70 – 140/90, you need to contact a cardiologist.

It is not difficult to measure your pulse at home; you must adhere to the following rules: measure at rest for 60 seconds. This will also help to detect irregular heartbeats, if any. In some cases, rhythm disturbances cannot be determined by the pulse. Some blood pressure measuring devices are also equipped with a pulse counting option.

What tests will help detect problems?

If you find the above complaints in yourself, or record changes in blood pressure or pulse, you need to contact a cardiologist to make an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will prescribe additional tests that will help make an accurate diagnosis.

A mandatory test that everyone needs is an electrocardiogram. It can be used to determine problems with rhythm, disturbances in the conduction of impulses in the heart and insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. If there are long-standing problems that have led to changes in the size of the heart muscle, then this can also be detected during the study.

The most informative method is ultrasound of the heart; during the study, large vessels and changes in them are also clearly visible. With the help of this study, it is possible to determine almost all heart diseases: the exact dimensions of all sections and cavities, blood supply disorders in certain areas, the condition of the heart valves and large vessels.

If there are blood clots in the heart cavity, this will also be visible during the study.

To clarify a diagnosis such as coronary heart disease and determine the functional class of angina, bicycle ergometry is used. During physical activity on an exercise bike, an electrocardiogram is recorded; if the subject has angina, then changes in the heart will be recorded during pain.

A study such as Holter monitoring is an ECG recording over a 24-hour period.

When deciphering the daily ECG, it is possible to determine changes during physical activity and compare them with the sensations of the subject; all changes in the state of health are recorded in a diary indicating the exact time of occurrence of the sensations.

This study is of particular value for determining rhythm disturbances, especially such as extrasystole or paroxysmal forms of atrial fibrillation.

There are no specific characteristic changes in blood tests for diseases of the cardiovascular system. There may be changes in blood tests for cholesterol and in the coagulation system. There are markers that can be used to determine the acute stage of myocardial infarction.

However, the presence of all these changes, both in analyzes and in examination data, does not necessarily mean a disease. All these studies can only be used as additional data and assessed in conjunction with complaints and medical history by a cardiologist.

The table shows some clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg where you can check the heart and blood vessels, and the price for an electrocardiographic study of the heart.

Clinic name	City	Address	Phone in Moscow 8 (499)	Price RUR
Open Clinic	Moscow	st. Partizanskaya house 41	969-24-06	1200
Asteri-honey	Moscow	Shokalsky passage, house 39, Stolyarny lane, 3/3, st. Velozavodskaya, 13, building 2	519-31-50	1050
Medicine +	Moscow	Volgogradsky pr, 4A	519-39-71	600
Nouvelle clinic	Moscow	Second Vladimirskaya, house 15, bldg. 4	519-39-98	1350
Madikan	Moscow	Pskovskaya, building 5, building 1	519-39-82	1000
ProMedicine	Moscow	Krasnoprudnaya, 13	519-39-54	1000
American Medical Clinic	Saint Petersburg	Moika embankment, 78	740-20-90	1100
Madis	Saint Petersburg	Fifth Sovetskaya, 23	337-24-82	650
Amedaklinic	Saint Petersburg	Kovensky Lane, 5-B	336-63-75	850
Preventive clinic	Saint Petersburg	Engelsa, 50	293-22-76	800
Guide clinic	Saint Petersburg	Nauki Avenue 17, bldg. 6	944-31-49	500
UMC	Saint Petersburg	Dibunovskaya, 50	640-28-68	550

Considering all of the above, if you decide to check your heart and blood vessels and determine the presence of serious diseases yourself, then you will be able to detect various symptoms in yourself, both directly related to diseases of the cardiovascular system and those reminiscent of heart disease. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, much less prescribe the necessary treatment.

26.01.2017 10:11:01

Diseases of the cardiovascular system in medical practice are the most complex and dangerous, which most often lead to death, regardless of the patient’s age.

Over the past quarter century in Ukraine, mortality as a result of these diseases has doubled, which cannot but cause serious concern.

That is why it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of your cardiovascular system and undergo preventive examinations with a cardiologist, especially if there are certain prerequisites for the occurrence of pathologies, for example, heredity, overwork, heavy physical activity, etc.

One of the main symptoms of heart disease is the appearance of pain in the heart area, which can have different strengths and directions depending on the heart disease and its severity.

The second characteristic sign of heart disease is shortness of breath, which occurs from circulatory failure.

The third sign of problems with the heart is a rapid heartbeat, as well as interruptions in the functioning of the heart.

All of the above symptoms are signals to contact a cardiologist, who, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, will necessarily send the patient for additional examination, which includes certain tests.

What tests are done for heart disease?

It is also worth considering that many pathological processes in the cardiovascular system are asymptomatic. Therefore, even if you are not bothered by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or arrhythmia, periodic visits to a cardiologist should be included in the list of mandatory preventive measures that will help maintain your health for many years.

As with any diseases of various organs and systems, timely diagnosis and competently prescribed effective treatment of heart disease will help not only cure certain diseases, but also prevent serious complications, improve the quality of life, prolong it and even save it.

For diseases of the heart and blood vessels, a comprehensive analysis is prescribed - a cardiac profile.

Cardiological profile: why is it needed?

Cardiological profile is a set of special blood tests that allows you to:

Assess risk factors for the development of heart and vascular diseases;

Identify early and hidden lesions of the cardiovascular system;

Identify the risk of developing atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and heart failure;

Assess the likelihood of myocardial infarction.

Cardiological profile: indications

Indications for prescribing a set of cardiological tests are:

Vascular atherosclerosis;

Coronary heart disease;

High blood pressure;

Heart rhythm disturbances, including:

Stroke;

Arrhythmia;

Heart attack;

Tachycardia.

What tests are included in the cardiac profile?

- Troponin quantitative;

Potassium (K);

Lipidogram;

Coagulogram;

AST (AST, aspartate aminotransferase);

Creatine kinase (creatine phosphokinase, CK, CPK);

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

What do cardiac profile indicators mean?

• Troponin can diagnose myocardial infarction. Troponin is a special protein found only inside cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes); it is practically undetectable in the blood under normal conditions. However, if cardiomyocytes begin to die and collapse, and most often this happens due to the development of myocardial infarction, then troponin begins to penetrate into the general bloodstream, as a result of which its concentration in the blood increases hundreds and sometimes thousands of times. This feature has become a key factor allowing early or late diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

• NT-proBNP- brain natriuretic hormone is a protein produced in the left ventricle of the heart. Plays an important role in the diagnosis of heart failure. Blood test to D-dimer indispensable when examining patients for various thrombotic disorders. D-dimer is a small protein fragment that is formed as a result of the breakdown of fibrin (fibrin is a blood plasma protein. Fibrin serves as the structural basis of a blood clot - ed.). Elevated levels of D-dimer in the blood indicate the human body's tendency to form blood clots or other clotting problems.

• Potassium(K) is an important trace element in the human body. It takes part in the act of muscle contraction, normal heart activity, conduction of impulses along nerve fibers, metabolism and enzyme activity. Potassium deficiency leads to disruption of the cardiovascular system and can cause muscle weakness. Long-term potassium deficiency can cause cardiac arrest. Large doses of potassium cause cardiac paralysis.

• INR- this is an indicator purely for assessing the effectiveness and correctness of treatment with anticoagulants ( medications that reduce the activity of the blood coagulation system and prevent excessive formation of blood clots - ed.). Patients who are forced to constantly take blood thinners are required to monitor their blood clotting abilities. This is necessary not only to assess the effectiveness of treatment, but also allows you to select an adequate dose of funds. In the same way, a person can be protected from an overdose of anticoagulants, preventing the development of corresponding complications against this background. One of the modern methods of such control is INR (international normalized ratio).

• Lipidogram(lipid profile) helps diagnose atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

• With the help coagulograms the level of blood viscosity is determined. An increased blood viscosity level indicates an increased risk of developing complications of hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

• Increase AST values, an intracellular enzyme involved in the metabolism of amino acids in liver tissue, heart muscle and other organs, shows an increased risk of heart attack.

• This is also indicated by the enzyme creatine kinase, which is a catalyst for the rate of ATP conversion. An increase in the activity of CPK-MB, an enzyme found in heart muscle cells, indicates an increased risk of myocardial infarction.

• Most active LDH(lactate dehydrogenase), a zinc-containing enzyme, is observed in the cells of the heart muscle, liver, and kidneys. LDH activity also increases sharply during acute myocardial infarction.

How should you prepare for a cardiac profile?

A cardiac profile is a comprehensive blood test for the content of certain enzymes. Blood for a cardiac profile is taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.

The day before taking blood, it is necessary to avoid alcohol consumption, as well as psycho-emotional and physical stress.

To prevent illness and early death, you need to know how to check blood vessels for atherosclerosis. A degenerative disease occurs under the influence of harmful factors and habits. Age-related changes and an unhealthy lifestyle contribute to the deposition of cholesterol. Sclerotic vascular lesions lead the list of causes of death among the world's inhabitants.

During a routine ultrasound examination, the doctor determines the main indicators of the performance of the veins of the lower extremities: the condition of the valve apparatus and the patency of the vein. This data is often sufficient to make a diagnosis of varicose veins.

To determine the extent of the disease and further treatment, ultrasound angioscanning of the veins of the lower extremities with Doppler ultrasound and color coding of blood flow is usually performed. For this, special devices are used. They determine the degree of venous deficiency based on the amount of blood that flows back from the valves down to the legs.

The main task when examining the veins of the lower extremities is not to miss blood clots. Their danger lies in the fact that if a blood clot breaks off, then large vessels become blocked. Which can lead to a heart attack and even death. Even without tearing off, they pose a very big threat because they can completely stop the flow of blood through the vein.

How to clean vessels

There are special preparations for medicinal cleaning of blood vessels.

1. Statins are the most effective means for cleaning blood vessels. They have a minimum of side effects. In addition to their basic properties, they are characterized by anti-inflammatory functions. The duration of treatment depends on the patient’s age and the degree of vascular contamination.
2. Bile acid sequestrants. They activate their binding in the intestines and further excretion. When using, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of adverse reactions in the form of intestinal problems and the occurrence of gas formation.
3. Fibrates reduce the amount of fat in the body and reduce the amount of cholesterol.
4. Vitamins. Ascorbic acid and B vitamins are considered the most effective.

There are many more diseases associated with vascular damage than it might seem. And the main difficulty in their treatment is diagnosis. Symptoms of vascular damage are extremely varied and, as a rule, are not identified on their own, but are associated with an exacerbation of a chronic condition or the emergence of a new pathology.

Vascular system

This includes blood vessels and the heart. The function of the first is to move blood, the second is to pump it.

The vessels are divided as follows:

• aorta - the main arterial trunk that carries blood from the ventricle;
• arteries are large vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the internal organs;
• arterioles - arteries of medium and small size that supply blood to tissues;
• capillaries - the smallest vessels serving literally every cell;
• venules - small veins that drain blood from tissues;
• veins are large vessels that move blood back to the heart; vein walls are much thinner.

Single injuries to capillaries or larger vessels usually do not have a noticeable effect on health. Constant disruption of work seems much more dangerous, since when the lumen of blood vessels decreases, the inflow or outflow of blood decreases. Both phenomena are equally destructive.

Indications for testing

There are no characteristic signs of vascular damage. Arteries and veins are connected to various organs, and if there is a disruption in the blood flow, they affect “their” organ. Therefore, the disease acquires symptoms characteristic of the pathology of this organ, which, of course, complicates diagnosis.

The most common indications for vascular examination are the following conditions:

1. Abnormal blood pressure.
2. Increased intracranial pressure.
3. Any traumatic brain injury.
4. Migraines and headaches, the cause of which is unknown.
5. Brain tumors.
6. Preparing for heart surgery.
7. Any signs of ischemia.
8. Varicose veins.
9. Swelling and heaviness of the limbs, chilliness, convulsions.
10. Risk factors: smoking, overweight, diabetes, etc.

Appointment of a specialist

Only a specialist can tell you how to check the blood vessels of the brain. First of all, with this kind of ailment, people turn to a neurologist. Its area is the vessels of the nervous system and brain. He is the one who refers you for examination of the arteries of the head and neck.

The cardiologist prescribes a check of the heart vessels in order to separate diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the symptoms of which are very similar.

The examination of veins and arteries is prescribed by an angiologist or angiosurgeon, who is in charge of blood and lymphatic vessels.

Examination of the vessels of the whole body is performed quite rarely, however, it gives the most complete picture.

Examination of the vessels of the head

The condition of the vessels of the head and neck is checked most often. Firstly, the symptoms of the disorder in this case are most pronounced, and secondly, they are the most painful. A person with pressing but mild chest pain ignores it for a long time in the hope that this phenomenon is temporary. Severe headaches and dizziness force the patient to seek advice much more quickly.

A neck examination is usually prescribed together with a check of the cerebral vessels, since they form a single system. Damage to the arteries of the neck is characterized by the same symptoms.

Magnetic resonance imaging

The most informative and modern research method allows you to get a complete picture of the functional and anatomical features of blood circulation.

The method is based on irradiating the patient with radio signals in a magnetic field. The tomograph records signals of varying power depending on the medium - moving or stationary, as well as on the speed of blood flow. As a result, the specialist receives layer-by-layer images of the brain and, accordingly, the arteries and veins of the skull and neck in a three-dimensional image. In this way, any pathologies of large and small vessels are identified.

The completeness of the picture depends to some extent on the power of the tomograph.

Rheoencephalography

MRI examination is, of course, the highest quality way to check the vessels of the head and neck, but also the most expensive. Instead of tomography, rheoencephalography may be prescribed.

The essence of the method comes down to recording the electrical conductivity of the blood flow. The signal from the latter differs from the signals of other tissues due to pulsation. With the help of a rheograph, information is obtained about the blood volume of the vessels of the neck and head, the speed of blood flow, the condition of the walls, and so on.

The procedure is much less convenient and takes more time. The working mechanism of the device is electrode plates, which during the research process must be applied to the areas of the head being studied.

Dopplerography

Or. It is an ultrasound examination of the head and neck using a specialized sensor. The procedure is completely painless, simple and allows you to get instant results.

This method is universal and has no contraindications. And therefore it is used to check the blood vessels of the whole body. It is carried out very simply: the patient is placed on the couch, the sensor is applied to the area being studied, and an image appears on the monitor. It is also prescribed to the youngest patients - children 4-5 years old, provided that the latter can lie motionless for 15-20 minutes.

The method is perfect for studying large and small blood flows throughout the body, but the quality of testing capillaries depends on the power of the equipment.

Electroencephalography

The device detects and records fluctuations in brain potentials. In this case, only the arteries and veins of the head are examined. The method is less informative; it helps to obtain information about disruption of normal blood flow and nerve conduction. However, for epilepsy, speech disorders and the like, electroencephalography is indispensable.

Computed tomography

The method uses x-rays. With its help, information is obtained about the physical condition of the walls, but the blood flow is not assessed. In this way, the presence or absence of tumors, vascular pathologies are determined, the condition of the walls is assessed - narrowing, expansion, the presence of a lesion, and so on.

CT is prescribed both for examining the vessels of the head and neck and the whole body.

Ultrasonography

The method was developed for examining the vessels of the neck, namely the carotid and intervertebral arteries, as well as the posterior and anterior cerebellar arteries. They are responsible for adequately supplying the brain with oxygen, and therefore disruption in their work affects its functions.

The working element of the device is an ultrasonic scanner. The lying patient is examined with a scanner, and an image of the artery is obtained on the monitor.

Examination of heart vessels

• Today, the most popular method is Doppler ultrasound. The aorta and venous trunk are large vessels, and ultrasound scanning allows one to assess their condition with great accuracy. Doppler ultrasound is completely safe for the heart and allows you to get instant results.
• Computed tomography- no less popular method and very informative. In this study of the heart, the injection of a contrast agent - iodine, for example, is often used. Using CT, you can assess the condition of the artery walls, detect tumors and other abnormalities.
• Coronary angiography refers to surgical methods and is performed in extreme cases when the patient is on the operating table. A contrast agent is injected directly into the artery, and a scanning device - an angiograph - records the result. The undoubted advantage of the method is the ability to immediately compensate for the narrowing of the heart vessel.

Extremity examination

As a rule, examination of the vessels of the legs is prescribed, since the arteries and veins of the upper extremities are less susceptible to disease.

Dopplerography and ultrasonography are used to assess the condition of blood vessels - this procedure is almost always prescribed together with a heart examination, as well as phlebography and phlebomanometry

• Phlebography - radiography against the background of the injection of a contrast agent, provides information about the physical condition of the veins.
• Phlebomanometry- measurement of venous pressure under various physical activities.

Of all the methods, it remains the most informative, since the method allows you to detect damaged venous valves and localize the source of the disease.

Complete vascular check

MR angiography is used to check all main and peripheral vessels. The examination is carried out using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner without the injection of a contrast agent. The power of the device's magnetic field is at least 1 Tesla.

MR angiography allows you to obtain data on both the physical state of arteries and veins - expansion or narrowing of the walls, the appearance of atheromatous plaques, the formation of an aneurysm, and the functional state - the level of elasticity of the wall, inflammation, and so on.

The study is long-term. As a rule, it is carried out in sessions of up to 15 minutes, the number of procedures is up to 6. In some cases, a session can take up to 60 minutes. MR angiography is only available in specialized clinics.

Checking blood vessels is an important part of diagnosis for a very large number of disorders. Sometimes, such a procedure becomes the last diagnostic method. There are quite a lot of indications for testing, and if a specialist prescribes a test, you should not ignore the recommendation.

In case of damage and bleeding from burst vessels in the head, damage to the intervertebral discs and cartilage, sleep disturbances and coordination of movements, frequent headaches, loss of orientation in space, irritability, you should think about your health and, first of all, consult a therapist who will refer you to the right specialist . If he determines that the problem lies in the circulatory system, he will refer you to doctors such as a neurologist or neuropathologist (which is basically the same thing), as well as to an angio-surgeon. They will tell you how to check the blood vessels for the presence of blood clots.

The vascular system is an important part of the human body; blood comes and goes through it with the necessary oxygen and nutrients to the cells, thus ensuring the vital functions of the whole organism. For many millions of years it has not changed in any way either in form or function.

Blood also flows through arteries from the heart to arterioles and capillaries, which supply liquid tissue to all the cells of a certain area. And back through the venules and veins into the heart.

Specialists

Many people do not consider it necessary to run to the doctor for help because of some discomfort, for example, dizziness, swelling of the legs in the evening, which goes away overnight, or the appearance of stars on the legs. Either there is no time, then there is no desire. As a result, patients are admitted to the medical department with severe pathology.

With such symptoms, a neurologist and a surgeon are obliged to check the circulatory system, and very often it is its disorders that are detected: atherosclerosis, phlebitis, thrombosis, arterial tortuosity, elephantiasis, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and many others.

If a disease is suspected, specialists must prescribe a comprehensive examination, with the help of which they will accurately determine the pathology and it will be possible to prescribe treatment for the blood vessels.

Diagnostics

Most diagnostic methods include various methods that graphically display the picture of the vessel on the monitor screen of a specialized apparatus. These include MRI, REG, DPG, ECG and others.

The study is divided into checking blood vessels:

1. Brain;
2. General for the presence of thrombosis.

In order to check the blood vessels of the brain, use:

Magnetic resonance imaging. Makes it possible to analyze the condition of brain vessels, integrity, ongoing processes, to see whether there are cholesterol formations or blood clots. These devices have different resolutions, which are determined by such a unit of measurement as tesla (T). For example, with a power of four hundredths of a Tesla, the equipment will be weak, and accordingly the picture displayed on the screen will not be of high quality. The doctor may miss some details. With a power of one and a half tesla, the picture will be clearer, and therefore the result will be more correct. Sometimes, the method is supplemented by staining blood elements with special dyes, if the patient is not allergic to them. This procedure will allow you to quickly determine the presence of a blocked element or growths on the walls of blood vessels.

Rheoencephalography. It is also called cerebral tomography. A rheograph is used to identify brain diseases. The places where the electrodes will be attached are lubricated with alcohol, they can be evenly positioned, or localized in the injured area. These metal plates are attached to the current source and are also lubricated with a contact substance. Electrical conductivity shows the movements of blood flow, which can be used to understand the filling of a vessel with blood, its tone and the structure of the walls. The method makes it possible to distinguish blood flow in veins and arteries, which is very important.

To check the neck vessels for blood clots use:

Dopplerography. It is painless and is carried out without special preparation of the patient, only basic hygiene standards must be observed. The patient is placed on the couch and the required area (neck, head) is lubricated with gel. Using a special device, a specialist scans the human body. At the same time, an image is shown on the monitor. Based on it, the doctor makes a conclusion about the disease. The quality of the half-hour procedure and its result depend on the device itself, and on the training and experience of the specialist, how accurately he can establish a diagnosis. This method is also suitable for examining the head area.

Ultrasonography. It is carried out in the same way on both the head and cervical vessels. The carotid artery is the most suitable because it is closer to the surface and is easier to find. By examining it, you can understand the state of the entire arterial system. Determine the presence of thrombosis, fibronodules, plaques. During the examination, the patient is placed on his back, his head is tilted back, and he is turned slightly away from himself. Next, the doctor moves a special device along the neck, then under the jaw and behind the ear. Then the head is turned over and the process is repeated. After examining the paired arteries, the patient is placed on his side to examine the vessel in the spine. There are color devices, they will provide a more accurate picture of the condition of the vein.

There are several indications for the use of this method of diagnosing cardiovascular diseases:

• Dizziness;
• Previous strokes;
• Increased pressure;
• Strong throbbing in the neck;
• Pain in the head;
• Severe impairment of vision and memory.

An examination of the brain and neck for the presence of blood clots in the vessels is carried out in cases of severe blood deficiency, capillary rupture, VSD, concussion, high blood pressure, tinnitus, pain in the head, and loss of orientation in space.

To check the heart vessels for blood clots, use:

• Electrocardiogram;
• Echocardiography;
• Ultrasonography;
• Rheovasography;
• Examination of blood vessels for elasticity.

Before these methods, a specialist listens to the heart, measures pulse and pressure. This makes it possible to understand the overall picture of his work.

In addition, a blood test may be performed to determine the content of sugar, minerals and other components. The standard duplex scanning method, which has already been described above, is suitable.

Other automated diagnostic methods include:

Computed tomography. It is carried out if Doppler ultrasound does not give a complete result. Quite an old method, appeared at the end of the twentieth century. Currently updated with new technologies. The apparatus with which the study is carried out is a table with a ring-shaped shell connected to a computer scanner. The patient is placed on the table. When you turn on the device, the shell begins to rotate. The monitor displays a three-dimensional image of the desired area. Recognizes vasoconstriction. CT is applicable in a regular clinic. If the image is not accurate enough, contrast agents, such as iodine, are added to the blood. The method is used not only for the heart vessels, but also for the chest, abdominal areas, legs and arms. With its help, you can examine not only the desired part of the body, but also the tissues surrounding it. For example, when examining the heart, it is important to know whether a tumor has formed and what is the condition of the largest azygos vessel.

Coronary angiography. This method of diagnosing blood vessels is used very rarely in intensive care settings. With the help of a special coloring substance injected into the blood through a puncture in the skin, you can see on a computer the processes occurring in the blood vessels and heart. The method allows you not only to understand the cause of the problem, but also to solve it. For example, inserting a catheter will help widen narrowed areas of the artery.

For blood clots

In order to check the vessels for the presence of thrombosis in the lower extremities, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the patient. The presence of stars on the legs, swelling, heaviness (according to the patient) indicates the presence of the disease. For a more accurate determination, deep-lying large vessels should be examined. The methods described above are perfect for this - duplex and ultrasound diagnostics. But besides them, there are others that make it possible to determine the degree of blood patency. For example, the Delta Perthes test involves wrapping the patient’s lower limb and observing. The bandaged person walks for about ten minutes, after which the tourniquet is removed. After this, with normal patency, the superficial veins collapse within one minute, otherwise, they remain inflated for some time.

Phlebography. It is carried out in the same way as many methods with the introduction of a coloring agent. After its introduction, X-rays are taken from different sides, which complicates and lengthens the process. The patient is given tasks: not to breathe, to breathe, to change body position.

Functional dynamic phlebomanometry. This method of checking blood vessels for the presence of blood clots is more accurate than the first one, since it is carried out during different physical activities. But still, to detect the problem, additional ultrasound and Doppler diagnostics are necessary.

Thus, ultrasound diagnostics using Doppler sonography is best suited for checking the vessels of the head, neck, and heart.

There is an opinion that these methods are harmful to health and can destroy cellular elements, but their use for quite a long time has not proven this, so it is generally accepted that such diagnostics do not harm the human body. Therefore, when making an urgent diagnosis, it is better to listen to the recommendations of the attending physician and not refuse them. After all, an accurate determination of the cause of the ailment will in any case help solve it faster.

Difficult and not always efficient. Angiography of the vessels of the lower extremities is a hardware examination of the vessels of the legs, which will help to more accurately make a diagnosis. As you know, vascular disorders rarely manifest themselves on their own. A disruption in blood flow causes characteristic symptoms in the organ to which the veins and arteries are connected. Let's consider what are the indications for the need to check veins and arteries, what types of examination of the vessels of the lower extremities exist and what are their differences.

In what cases is examination of the blood vessels of the legs carried out?

Vascular disorders are a fairly common occurrence. Swelling of the limbs, tingling, aching, numbness, pain are signs of incipient blood flow pathologies. Of course, such symptoms require careful verification using both x-rays (angiography and CT angiography), magnetic waves (venous MRI), and Doppler ultrasound examination.

The examinations are designed to check the extent of damage to the veins and arteries in the legs in the following diseases.

1. Atherosclerosis of the arteries. Various research methods reveal how narrowed the vessels are and whether they are blocked by plaques.
2. , it is also called obliterating endarteritis. Inflammation of the spasmodic walls of small capillaries and arteries of the legs. They examine how deformed the walls of the vessels in the foot are, and whether blood clots have formed in them.
3. Such vascular pathologies in which protrusion of the arterial wall occurs: diverticulitis, dissecting aneurysm. Using hardware diagnostics, they look for the location and extent of the vessel wall dissection.
4. Venous damage: thrombophlebitis, thrombosis. The study helps to identify the location of the blood clot and its size.
5. Injuries of the lower extremities. The examination is carried out to determine whether compression of the vessels has occurred.
6. Trophic ulcers and necrotic changes in the feet or legs.
7. Instrumental diagnostics are also carried out to monitor the effectiveness of treatment before surgery or prescribing medications and after surgery or therapy.

Despite the fact that the indications for examining the veins and arteries of the legs are the same, the techniques used are different. It is important that any of the proposed types of examination will help detect damage in the veins or arteries of the legs.

CT or MRI of veins, angiography, Doppler ultrasound do not replace each other, but complement and clarify the research results.

Principle of angiography

Methods for assessing vascular disorders are divided into two types: invasive (with penetration into the patient’s body) and non-invasive. The first group includes the most accurate and informative research method - angiography. What is the principle of the study?

This method uses x-ray photography of the studied vessels into which a radiopaque substance has been injected. Angiography can examine arterial disorders (in this case the method is called arteriography) and the condition of the veins (phlebography). The examination is carried out in a hospital or medical centers equipped with an X-ray angiography room.

The research proceeds as follows. First, the leg area is anesthetized, an incision is made, and a thin tube, an introducer, is inserted into the vessel being examined. The catheter through which the contrast agent is supplied is connected to the introducer. The doctor injects an iodine-based substance into the vein or artery of the leg being studied. A series of x-rays are then taken as the substance spreads through the veins or arteries.

The manipulation is quite long, about an hour. After the examination, a tight bandage is applied to the incision site. Bed rest for 6–10 hours is recommended to prevent blood clots.

To quickly remove iodine from the body, it is recommended to drink at least one and a half liters of water.

Indications and contraindications

Preparation for the procedure begins two weeks before it takes place. Alcohol is excluded, blood-thinning medications are suspended, general and biochemical blood tests, a coagulogram, and tests for infections (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C) are taken. The day before the examination, an allergy test is performed to determine the tolerance of the radiocontrast agent. The intestines are cleansed the day before, since you will not be able to get up after the angiography. Half an hour before the test, the doctor gives intravenous injections of antihistamines and sedatives. The examination is carried out on an empty stomach, since when contrast is applied to the veins, sensations of heat and nausea are possible.

Contraindications to the procedure are:

• allergies to iodine or anesthetic drugs;
• pregnancy - due to the negative effects of x-ray radiation on the fetus;
• lactation period, because the contrast agent passes into breast milk in small doses;
• inflammation of the veins - due to the risk of blood clot rupture;
• low blood clotting – due to heavy bleeding after the procedure;
• increased blood clotting - due to the risk of blood clots;
• mental illness - angiography causes stress in most patients, and a person with a mental disorder will not be able to adequately respond to the doctor’s instructions and report his well-being.

Angiography is a relatively safe method. But in practice, there are cases of a serious allergic reaction to the contrast agent and injury to blood vessels. Less aggressive are angiography using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Angiography is used more often as a simultaneous surgical treatment of blood vessels.

CT angiography and MRI angiography

Angiography can be performed using different devices. A more modern and gentle method is angiography with examination of blood vessels using a computed tomography (CT) scanner. Externally, the procedure resembles conventional angiography, only the contrast agent is administered not through a catheter, but with a syringe into a vein. The patient also lies on the tomograph table, he is fixed, connected to monitors and placed together with the table inside the scanning machine. A computer tomograph processes x-ray sections and displays a clear anatomy of the blood vessels of the legs in a three-dimensional image.

Another principle for studying the vessels of the lower extremities is used in MRI angiography. A person is placed in a magnetic resonance chamber and irradiated with radio waves in a magnetic field. The procedure is safe and painless, but has a number of contraindications, which include pregnancy, metal implants in the body, claustrophobia, and excessive body weight (over 135 kg).

If you compare the two methods, you get the following picture.

CT examination and MRI diagnostics do not require hospitalization. On the day of the procedure, the patient returns to active life. No special patient preparation is required before the MRI procedure.

MRI angiography is an alternative to vascular examination with a computed tomograph. However, diagnosticians note less clear tracking of aneurysms in vessels during MRI examination.