Dr Yashoda Ravi

Heart failure

The Heart Failure Program offers comprehensive management for advanced heart failure, including medical treatment and assessment for advanced device therapy and heart transplantation. Dr. Yashoda emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and expertise in determining the appropriateness and timing of interventions. While fantastic technologies and therapies are available, it is crucial to consider each patient's best interests and avoid premature use of devices or transplantation. Dr. Yashoda also aims to improve community heart failure management, patient involvement, and primary healthcare to enhance the quality of life for heart failure patients. Diagnostic tests such as blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and angiograms are performed to evaluate heart function and determine the stage of heart failure using classification systems like NYHA and ACC/AHA. These stages help guide treatment decisions

Heart disease

Heart disease encompasses various conditions affecting the heart, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, heart muscle disease, and heart valve disease. Coronary heart disease is caused by narrowed blood vessels, leading to reduced blood supply and potentially resulting in a heart attack. Prompt medical attention is crucial for heart attack symptoms, including chest pain, discomfort spreading to other areas, cold sweat, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Diagnosis involves tests like ECG, blood tests, and angiography. Treatment options, ranging from medications to heart transplants, depend on the specific type and severity of heart disease.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high. This places extra strain on the heart. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and hypertension is generally defined as a reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. The American College of Cardiology and Heart Association categorize blood pressure into normal, elevated, stage I hypertension, and stage II hypertension. Extremely high readings above 180/120 mm Hg are considered a hypertension emergency. Hypertension often presents no symptoms, but it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health issues. Regular blood pressure checks are important, and treatment may involve lifestyle changes and medication.

Heart attack in women

Heart disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women, may present differently in women. Risk factors for heart disease in women include diabetes, emotional stress, smoking, inactivity, menopause, pregnancy complications, family history, and inflammatory diseases. While chest pain is a common heart attack symptom in both genders, women may experience other symptoms such as discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, upper back, or upper abdomen, shortness of breath, arm pain, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, fatigue, and heartburn. Women often have symptoms at rest or during sleep, and emotional stress can trigger heart attack symptoms in women.

Syncopal attack

Syncopal attacks, also known as fainting or passing out, occur when someone briefly loses consciousness and then recovers. While syncope is often not a sign of serious illness and occurs infrequently for most people, it can be a warning sign of sudden cardiac death or result in serious injury for others. Causes of syncope include arrhythmia, aortic dissection, aortic valve stenosis, reflex syncope, vasovagal syncope, and postural orthostatic tachycardia. Diagnostic tests such as ECG, stress tests, echocardiogram, tilt table test, and others are used to determine the cause. Treatment depends on the underlying condition and may involve lifestyle changes, medication, catheter ablation, pacemaker, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.