The Fundamentals of Remote Cardiac Device Monitoring in Clinical Settings

 With the advent of novel cardiac diagnostic tools, remote cardiac device monitoring or cardiac telemetry has gained significant traction in clinical settings. It offers a range of benefits that enable healthcare professionals to prevent, diagnose, and treat various cardiac conditions or diseases.

In this article, we will focus on how remote cardiac device monitoring and the CardioHolter system aid treatments in clinical settings:

• The Basics of Telemetry Monitoring

Telemetry monitoring has emerged as an innovative approach to observing and analyzing heart rhythms in clinical settings. This method involves attaching a portable telemetry system to a patient’s body through electrodes. These electrodes transmit vital cardiac data to a centralized monitor, allowing patients to move freely without being constrained by traditional bedside heart monitors. 

This innovative approach has proven particularly effective for individuals diagnosed with irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias, and those at risk of such conditions.

• Telemetry Monitoring in Clinical Settings

When patients with heart issues or an elevated risk of arrhythmia are admitted to a cardiac telemetry unit, they are placed in an environment resembling a typical hospital room. However, this specialized setting is equipped with advanced tools to measure heart-related vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels. 

The telemetry system is pivotal in capturing and transmitting these crucial indicators, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor patients’ cardiac health closely.

• The Telemetry Monitoring Process

Implementing telemetry monitoring involves a structured procedure. Healthcare professionals shave and clean specific areas on the chest and abdomen before attaching electrodes. These electrodes are strategically positioned to capture the patient’s heartbeat. The captured electric signals are then transmitted to a recording device, translating into visual data displayed on a monitor or screen. This real-time data lets doctors comprehensively view and track the patient’s heart rhythms.

• Placement of the recording device

The recording device can be conveniently placed in a cloth holder, allowing patients to wear it throughout the day. The duration of telemetry monitoring varies based on medical necessity, as determined by the attending physician. It’s important to follow medical advice and avoid removing the device prematurely. As long as the patient remains connected to the telemetry system, the monitor continuously displays their heartbeat.

• Data Tracking Observation by Healthcare Professionals

Trained medical professionals vigilantly observe the telemetry monitor for over 24 hours, amassing invaluable patient cardiac activity data. The telemetry system is designed with an alarm mechanism that activates in response to significant changes in heart rhythm. This proactive feature ensures swift intervention if abnormalities are detected, allowing timely medical action.

• Other Applications of Telemetry Monitoring

While telemetry monitoring is widely recognized for tracking heart rhythms, its applications extend beyond cardiac issues. This technology monitors patients with blood clots, lung problems like pneumonia, and other severe illnesses. It also proves useful after administering anesthesia or medications that may impact heart rhythm.

• Role Of Implanted Cardiac Devices in Improving Monitoring

Implanted cardiac devices, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) or pacemakers, are pivotal in remote cardiac device monitoring. These devices operate as sophisticated data collectors, functioning day and night to detect irregularities. For instance, if an ICD identifies a dangerous heart rhythm, it delivers therapy as a high-energy shock, restoring normal heart function and preventing sudden death.

• The Significance of CardioHolter in Remote Cardiac Telemetry

A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records the heart's rhythm. It's used to detect or determine the risk of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). The CardioHolter ECG system is a reliable solution clinicians and cardiologists use in clinical settings. The medical device provides accurate data that enables them to make informed decisions about the course of the treatment.

This system offers a 5-lead, 3-channel, fully interpretive Holter with pacemaker detection, supported by a user-friendly event button. The CardioHolter recorder provides reliable and accurate reporting. Since it is compatible with Electronic Medical Records (EMR), it facilitates seamless integration with patient databases.

• Specifications Of the CardioHolter System

The CardioHolter system includes a digital recorder, software, and a database management system, offering a comprehensive solution for healthcare providers. 

It provides a detailed analysis of cardiac activity with features like heart rate variability histograms, R-R dispersion graphs, ST graphs, and VF tables/graphs. The recorder’s 3-channel display enables a preview of the ECG waveform, and its storage capabilities ensure patient ECG records are securely archived.

• Cardiac Care in National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

As National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month approaches, it’s a reasonable time for clinicians to reflect on the strides made in cardiac care and to consider embracing the transformative capabilities of remote cardiac device monitoring.

Conclusion

In the current scenario, remote cardiac device monitoring has become a beacon of progress. From tracking heart rhythms to offering deeper insights into overall health, this technology bridges the gap between traditional monitoring methods and contemporary medical demands. 

You should contact the concerned agencies to learn more about the CardioHolter system. Check the website to learn more.

References

Remote Cardiac Device Monitoring: Why Aren’t You Doing This Already?

What Is Telemetry Monitoring? How It Works, Its Uses, and More

The Cardio Holter PC ECG - Nasiff Associates Inc.

The Correlation between Childhood Obesity, Cardiac Health, and Body Mass Index

 Childhood obesity may have several adverse effects on an individual’s well-being later in the years. As it is national childhood obesity awareness month, it is essential to discuss the impact of childhood obesity on a person’s cardiac output and heart health.

The correlation between BMI and cardiac output

Healthcare practitioners depend on cardiology diagnostic tests, such as Cardiac Telemetry, echocardiogram,  Pulmonary artery catheterization, and others, to evaluate their patients’ heart health. According to an NCBI study, hemodynamic monitoring in obese patients shows the impact of body mass index (BMI) on cardiac output and stroke volume. The study was focused on evaluating the reliability of cardiac hemodynamics in normal and obese patients.

The researchers found that BMI was positively correlated with cardiac output and stroke volume. “Each 1 kg/m increase in BMI was associated with a 0.08 L/min (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.10; p < .001) increase in CO and 1.35 mL (95% CI, 0.96-1.74; p < .001) increase in SV.”

The study further emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body mass index among patients. While medical practitioners usually rely on cardiology diagnostic tests, such as cardiac telemetry, to get accurate cardiac output results, it is equally important to promote an active lifestyle among patients. Childhood obesity may invite serious heart problems that can be prevented by:

Healthy eating habits

The first rule of eating right is not skipping meals. Children should be taught to eat on time instead of overeating later. In addition, they should be given balanced meals and kept away from unhealthy junk food.

Changing cooking habits

Children love to eat different foods instead of repeating a few meals. Alternative cooking techniques like baking, broiling, roasting, stewing, and steaming will help keep them interested and healthy.

Physical activity

The biggest reason behind childhood obesity is the lack of physical activity. So, it is always better to send children to a park than to keep them indulged in video games.

The bottom line

Healthcare professionals can use cardiology diagnostic tests, such as ECGs, Stress Tests, Holter Monitoring, Cardiac Telemetry monitoring, and others, to determine cardiac health among children with obesity by checking, measuring, and monitoring their blood pressure, stress levels, and vital signs, such as pulse rate and respiration rate.

It is also important to educate children on ways to reduce the risk of developing obesity and heart disease. Preventing childhood obesity can be a significant step towards ensuring better heart health among them in adulthood.

 

 

Cardiac Telemetry: Benefits Of Monitoring Cardiac Health

 

Our heart functions with about 2.5 billion beats over a lifetime and 100,000 each day. An organ that works rigorously should be looked after.

 

High Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness Month - MAY 2021

The month of May sheds light on cardiac health with its National Stroke Awareness Month, National High Blood Pressure Education Month, and Women’s Health Week. Heart health is an essential topic among most of the population, given that stroke is common these days. As a preventative measure against stroke, you should understand the importance of cardiac telemetry monitoring and controlling blood pressure.

 

Facts For Knowledge

●       Stroke is a preventable cause of disability.

●      In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every four minutes, someone dies suffering from it.

●   Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death for adults in the US, resulting in more than 130,000 deaths each year.

 

Importance Of Cardiac Telemetry Monitoring

Healthcare providers use cardiac telemetry by connecting electrodes to specific areas on the skin around the chest, stomach, and even limbs. Each following wire from the electrodes is attached to a recording device that tracks and monitors your heart’s activity. Further, it sends information to a monitoring device in another location where a doctor accesses the data.

 

Using cardiac telemetry has several advantages-

1. Early Detection: Several heart diseases exist; some are to the extent that they may kill any person. That’s why it’s essential to monitor cardiac health and look out for required prevention if any. Telemetry allows the detection of potential risks and diseases related to the heart early on.
2. Saves Money: Every telemetry system type saves financial resources. Meaning, it eliminates the requirement for employing extra staff on hourly pay. Additionally, cardiac telemetry saves a great deal of money for both the insurance providers and the customers. This technology enables the users to monitor their health at the convenience of their homes, cutting out on the cost of unnecessary hospital stays and frequent visits.
3. Saves Healthcare Worker’s Time: Cardiac telemetry allows practitioners to examine patients’ health without needing to sit with them. So, professionals can delegate their time to other patients on the premises. The monitor built into the system alerts when something unusual is detected in their heart’s electrical waves. In this way, nurses and doctors can pay attention to the patients who need urgent medical care.

 

Conclusion

Sometimes we put our heart’s health to risk unknowingly. It’s essential to monitor a patient’s heart health from time to time. Get to know more about our Nasiff CardioCard™ Telemetry and CardioCard™ Mobile Resting PC Based ECG System. Get in touch with us today!

 

National Nutrition Awareness Month: Healthy Food Choices You Should Make

 Every year, March is celebrated as National Nutrition Awareness Month By the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign majorly focuses on healthy nutritional choices, creating a sound eating pattern, and partaking in physical activities to reduce the risk of chronic disease, maintain a healthy weight, and promote overall health. 

 Here are some healthy food choices you must consider to start eating right on this National Nutrition Awareness Month.

Start with breakfast

Grabbing an apple for breakfast isn’t a healthy way to start your mornings. Your breakfast should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. A breakfast wrap or burrito is an excellent choice to fulfill your body’s nutritional needs. You can also consider scrambled eggs, whole-grain cereal, and low-fat plain yogurt. 

Eat healthy snacks

Snacks provide energy between meals or after physical activities. Healthy snacks, such as raw veggies with peanut butter or low-fat cottage cheese and apple or banana, decrease hunger pangs and keep you from overeating at mealtime. 

Add colors to your plate

Make a healthier choice by adding fruits and vegetables to your plate. If your current diet includes zero fruits or greens, start with just one fruit a day. Include a vegetable to the dinner menu, strawberries to yogurt or cereal, or plan a day without meat once a week.

Drink more water

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid quenching thirst with drinks with added sugars. Stay hydrated, especially if you are active or live in hot climates.

Following a restrictive diet for thirty days isn’t a way to create a healthy lifestyle. However, small but consistent changes to a diet over time have a beneficial effect on health, especially heart health. Apart from making informed food choices and developing physical activity habits, keep the health of your heart in check with cardiac telemetry. 

American Heart Health Awareness Month: How Stress and Heart Health Are Linked?

February is recognized as American Heart Health Awareness Month across the nation to raise awareness about heart health in communities. In hospitals and healthcare settings, health workers and staff members wear red while volunteers crochet or knit red hats for newborns to bring awareness that heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in America,is preventable. Today, we are bringing your attention to stress and how it is linked to heart health.

Stress is normal in today’s hectic lifestyle. But it affects many factors and behaviors that increase the risk of heart disease - including high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Many individuals choose alcohol and smoke to deal with every chronic stress, which leads to health conditions like damaged artery walls and an increase in blood pressure. 

Headache, stomach, and back strain are common body’s responses to stress. Other ways include feeling low, insomnia, forgetfulness, and out of control anger. Generally, a chain of stressful events results in adrenaline release in the body, which speeds up the heart rate and breathing, resulting in rising blood pressure. These reactions help you prepare for a ‘fight or flight’ response in stressful situations.

When stress is constant, it harms you in many ways. High-levels of cortisol released by the body due to long-term stress increase blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides. Even minor stress for prolonged periods triggers heart problems, including poor blood flow to heart muscles. When the heart does not receive enough blood or oxygen, the risk of blood clots and stroke substantially increases. 

Managing stress is the best way to improve overall wellbeing. Maintaining a positive attitude, a healthy diet, and a healthy weight are a few ways to deal with chronic stress. Apart from daily exercise, quitting smoking, drinking, and too much coffee is a smart decision. Learning stress management techniques is a brilliant way to manage stress. It is best to take care of your heart and health with a Stress ECG to monitor your heart's response to the stress. 

5 New Year Resolutions To Keep Your Heart Healthy

 

New Year begins with new resolutions. From being productive to beating procrastination to eating healthy and exercising, people make all sorts of commitments to make their new year better and more satisfying than the previous year. However, seldom do they realize that making heart-healthy resolutions is also vital to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Studies suggest that people with health problems experience a host of emotional and physical symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, sleep troubles, and others, all of which can significantly affect the quality of life. It turns out that keeping cardiovascular health in good shape and preventing heart problems is as crucial as focusing on physical health and other aspects of life this new year.

Here are a few New Year resolutions you should make to keep your heart healthy:

Regularly check heart health: first thing first. Keep your heart health in check taking a Resting ECG test.If there are issues in the test, you may be referred to do a Stress test or wear a 24- hour Holter monitor.

Quit Smoking: smokers are twice as likely to develop heart problems and experience a heart attack than those who don’t smoke. Smoking damages the lining of your arteries and raises blood pressure, both of which are enough to trigger heart disease.

Consume less sugar: too much sugar in your diet can cause weight gain, which can raise blood pressure and result in heart disease and diabetes. Control your sugar intake.

Eat more green veggies and fruits: Vegetables and fruits are a powerful source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and other essential nutrients that keep the heart in tip-top shape. Make sure you don’t overlook their importance.

Cut back on alcohol: alcohol use not only damages your liver but also causes high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and other heart problems. If you are dependent on alcohol or any other drug, it’s time to seek help.

Besides making these resolutions, consume a diet low in salt and saturated fats and high in essential nutrients to boost your heart health. Don’t forget to exercise three to five times a week to strengthen your heart muscles. Once you make these resolutions and stay true to them, you will notice a significant improvement in your heart on your Resting, Stress Test or Holter Monitoring test.

National Health Center Awareness: Importance of Health Care Facilities

 

National Health Center Week recognizes missions and accomplishments of community health centers across the country. It is an annual celebration, observed in August, to raise awareness about health centers – how they protect and promote the health of citizens and make a big difference in communities. More than 235,000 health care providers and staff dedicatedly provide high-quality health care to medically vulnerable people throughout the United States.

 

More than 27 million Americans rely on community health centers for comprehensive and affordable health care services. Find below the reasons why:

 

Affordable Services

They offer a wide range of medical services to citizens at a rate that is more affordable than alternative medical options. For instance, the average cost of a visit to a health center is less than one-sixth of the average cost of an emergency room’s trip. They offer a sliding fee scale to those who can’t pay. 

 

Comprehensive Medical Care

Millions of Americans rely on health centers because they offer comprehensive health care that focuses on the overall health of a person rather than only one ailment. Community health centers provide citizens with a wide range of treatment options - from initial screenings to management of chronic illness, mobile ecg. For instance, they offer preventive care services, mental/behavioral health, and dental care to both adults and children. Patients may choose either one or all of these services as per their needs. 

 

Easy Access

Access to medical care services is a serious obstacle for underprivileged people. Community health centers provide several empowering services, including transportation and health education to people in medical need. Easy and improved access ensures each patient receives the health care services they require.

 

From a simple check-up to something serious – like early diagnose of underlying heart disease –community health centers offer help and save millions of lives every year. Medical Centers invest in mobile ECGsystems, which are safe, convenient, and an affordable way to monitor and analyze the heart’s conduction system and underline any cardiovascular issue.