Ever heard of a young individual dying of a heart attack? It's a chilling thought, one that we often associate with older generations. But the reality today is that heart diseases have no age boundaries, and the urgency to find solutions has never been more critical. The rise in heart-related ailments among young people serves as a stark reminder that we need to take proactive steps to protect our hearts. Dr Sanjeev Gera, Director Cardiology at Fortis Hospital sheds light on the importance of portable ECG devices as a means of early detection and intervention in the battle against heart diseases.
The modern lifestyle culprit
The modern lifestyle, characterised by habits like smoking, sedentary jobs, junk food consumption, and high stress levels, has contributed significantly to the increasing incidence of heart attacks in young individuals. Many people tend to ignore warning signs, such as mildly elevated blood pressure (e.g., 130/90) and lack awareness of the normal cholesterol levels, sugar levels and other parameters.
Recognising the warning signs
A heart attack rarely happens out of the blue. The body often provides warning signals, medically known as Angina. These signals include breathlessness during everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs, unexplained fatigue, decreased physical endurance, chest congestion, and jaw stiffness. In such cases, ECG analysis becomes paramount.
The importance of the golden hour
The initial one hour is quite significant known as the 'Golden Hour' in heart attack cases. During this crucial period, when symptoms may resemble gastric issues or chest discomfort, individuals with risk factors (e.g., smoking) should not ignore them. Immediate ECG assessment is vital.
Enter Portable ECG Devices
Portable healthcare devices are compact, user-friendly medical gadgets designed to monitor and track various health parameters on the go. Among these, portable ECG (Electrocardiogram) devices stand out as tools for monitoring heart health. They typically offer more accurate and detailed analysis of the heart's electrical activity. Portable ECG devices are equipped with features like wireless connectivity and smartphone apps, enabling users to record, store, and share ECG data with healthcare professionals for remote monitoring and diagnosis
Pocket ECG Machine: A Game-Changer
Among the available portable ECG devices, the use of small and portable ECG device like Sanketlife pocket ECG machine. These touch-based, user-friendly devices allow users to record a 12-lead ECG by placing them on various chest areas. The ECG data is then transmitted to a smartphone, where a graph is generated. This report can be easily shared with cardiologists via WhatsApp, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment initiation.
