7 breakthroughs in cardiology that you must know about

Heart diseases have been a serious cause of concern for decades now. These disorders stem from a number of reasons like unhealthy lifestyle choices, smoking, improper diet, chronic stress, pollution etc. Treatment of heart disorders has been a serious, prolonged and costly affair for the patients, draining them of hard-earned savings and finances. However, with extensive research and infusion of technology, especially the non-invasive digital and nano-technology devices and methods, cardiology has expanded greatly for the benefit of mankind. Here are seven major breakthroughs in cardiology that you must know about:

1. Biopsied Heart Cells:

   Medical studies have shown that heart cells can be regenerated and repaired. In several such studies, biopsies were taken from the hearts of patients, were purified and then replaced. The result was intensive improvement in heart function and blood-pumping capabilities.

2. Lowering of blood pressure through kidney de-nervation:

   Traditional as well as modern researchers have always laid emphasis on the mutual connect between heart health, sympathetic nervous system, kidneys and the blood pressure of a person. In patients who didn't respond to medication for blood pressure, Renal Sympathetic Denervation (RSD) was done with success. RSD is an endovascular, catheter-based procedure requiring minimal invasion and uses radiofrequency ablation or ultrasound ablation techniques for curing high blood pressure in patients on whom medication has no effect. This important breakthrough enabled lowering of blood pressure and had significant effects on cardiovascular health.

3. Bridging for children awaiting heart transplants:

   In this important breakthrough, doctors altogether scrapped the earlier procedure of ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) in which a pump to circulate blood into the bloodstream through artificial lungs in children was done. This was done until a donor could be found for heart transplant. However, now the doctors have found that a ventricular assist device (VAD) can be used in place of ECMO.

4. Stroke treatment:

   A stroke occurs when a blood clot moves through the cardiovascular system to the brain, thus impeding brain functioning and causing damage. Now, devices like SOLITAIRE and TREVO 2 have been developed that can clear these blockages in brain more effectively and can enhance the quality of life.

5. Improvement in Atrial Fibrillation techniques:

   Atrial Fibrillation was done through drugs to which not everyone responded positively. However, now improvements have been made with drugs known as noval oral anticoagulants, which work in a better manner and reduce the risk of strokes and significantly decrease the risk of mortality.

6. Role of sugary drinks and risk of cardiovascular disorders:

   Growing awareness of the role played by sugary drinks leading to increased fat consumption and thus obesity has greatly helped in treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This has also allowed the potential patients in reducing the risks associated with consumption of sugar and the ultimate risk of developing heart disorders.

7. Bypass surgery for diabetic patients:

   Previously stents were used to open the blocked arteries in patients. However, researchers have found bypass surgery to be more effective and better than stents (there is also the stent failure rate to be dealt with). This has increased longevity and improved the overall quality of life for diabetic patients.

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