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What is veloergometry (VEM)

Cardiovascular diseases occupy the first place in the incidence of, and mortality. Often they creep quietly leaking for a long time without symptoms. To diagnose and identify hidden forms of cardiac pathologies developed by a method such as Bicycle ergometry.

What is its essence

VEM is a record ECG (electrocardiogram) during moments of physical activity. Conduct research on the exercise bike is a special Bicycle, which automatically dispenses the load. During the procedure, the patient pedals with different intensity (increases load speed), with fixed pulse and blood pressure. The selection of a load is determined by the General condition of the patient, underlying disease and medical history.

Similar testing is performed on a treadmill with incline (treadmill) or using the step-test in which the patient comes in turn of two steps.

Bicycle ergometry allows you to:

  • to identify heart failure, ischemic heart disease, latent hypertension, heart rhythm disorders associated with stress;
  • to determine the tolerance of growing fiznagruzki and the reaction to it of the cardiovascular system;
  • to find out whether there is a connection of pain with impaired blood flow, that is, whether pain coronary causes;
  • to assess the dynamics of disease development and the efficacy of the treatment;
  • to track the recovery time is HELL, and the activities of the heart after cessation of the load;
  • to evaluate the health of a patient after undergoing coronary artery disease.

The fact that patients with ischemia of the heart characteristic ECG changes appear only during exercise, when blood pressure rises, pulse quickens, the heart works faster to provide the increased need heart of oxygen. A healthy load is vasodilation, blood flow and delivery of oxygen to the myocardium are amplified. People with heart disease don't have enough oxygen, they have a chest pain, the electrocardiogram is recorded specific changes.

  1. Prior to testing, remove the blood pressure parameters and ECG alone.
  2. To the chest of the patient, attach electrodes for electrocardiogram, shoulder impose cuff of a sphygmomanometer to record blood pressure parameters.
  3. He begins to pedal the Bicycle Ergometer with a minimum intensity. The load will be increased stepwise every two to three minutes.
  4. During the procedure record changes ECG of the heart and blood pressure parameters.
  5. The patient should tell the doctor about any unpleasant sensations, appearing during the load, even if they are minor.
  6. When you reach a certain level of heart rate and blood pressure, with manifestation of pain,ECG changes or increased discomfort, the patient ceases to pedal, but the result is continue to record for another ten minutes so the doctor can evaluate how the restoration.

The natural response to stress

  • Increase in blood pressure (young upper pressure usually does not exceed 200 mm Hg. post, the elderly usually reaches 230). Lower often rises slightly, in some cases, reduced.
  • The increase in heart rate.
  • The ECG changes.
  • The onset of fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, feeling hot.

Indications for termination of the load

  • Pressure decreased by 25% from the original. This is a sign of the onset of ischemic collapse.
  • The pressure increased to 230/130 mm Hg. post and more.
  • There was a drastic weakness.
  • Started angina.
  • The person feels suffocation.
  • There are such signs as dizziness, nausea, headache, blurred vision.
  • ECG segment S-T decreased a millimeter and more.
  • Segment S-T has risen by more than a millimeter.
  • Disturbed heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation, ventricular premature beats, paroxysmal tachycardia).
  • The patient refused the procedure (fear, weakness, discomfort, pain in calves).

Contraindications

Bicycle ergometry is not available to all because not all patients can pedal on a stationary bike. Contraindications are divided into absolute and relative. The first group includes the following diseases and States:

  • defects of the heart valves, which are expressed slightly;
  • a deficiency of magnesium, potassium;
  • persistent increase in blood pressure around 200/100 mm Hg. calendar);
  • endocrine pathology (thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism);
  • aneurysm of the left ventricle;
  • chronic infectious diseases;
  • pathology of locomotor apparatus, aggravated by physical activity;
  • some neurological diseases;
  • malignant tumors;
  • anemia;
  • pregnancy.

Absolute contraindications quite a lot. Among them:

  • angina, revealed for the first time;
  • acute myocardial infarction;
  • low blood pressure;
  • progressive unstable angina;
  • severe heart failure that does not respond to conservative treatment;
  • inflammation of the heart: pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis;
  • aneurysm and/or dissection of the aorta;
  • pulmonary embolism;
  • intractable treatment medication arrhythmia;
  • kidney failure;
  • pulmonary insufficiency;
  • mental illness.

Contraindication for carrying out veloergometry is the age of 15 and over the age of 70.

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Possible consequences of VEM

Complications after this procedure are observed infrequently. They are generally associated with the disease, which affects the test. The following are possible consequences:

  • of the heart and blood vessels: arrhythmias, hypertensive crisis, angina, infarction, rupture of aortic aneurysm;
  • gastrointestinal: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
  • from the lungs: pneumothorax, bronchospasm, exacerbation of chronic lung diseases;
  • from the side of musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis, arthrosis, arthritis;
  • neurological effects: stroke, fainting, dizziness.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis of coronary diseases is an urgent problem nowadays, when high mortality from cardiovascular abnormalities even among young people. Bicycle ergometry allows to determine the state of blood flow in the coronary vessels, detect coronary artery disease, occurring without symptoms, to assess the physical abilities of a person in conditions of high loads. And very importantly, it is non-invasive, affordable and easy method.