Electrocardiograms (ECG) and Multistage Stress ECG
Dr Cindy Govender offers cardiac consultations at her practice for concerns such as chest pain, palpitations and symptoms of heart failure. Part of a cardiac workup involves an ECG which will assess the heart rate, rythmn and evidence of any ischemia (impaired blood flow to the coronary arteries), and a stress ECG, which requires the patient to exercise on the treadmill whilst Dr Govender analyzes the electrical activity of the heart to determine if there are any abnormalities either with the rythmn or the blood flow around the heart. Once a diagnosis has been established it will be treated or the patient will be referred to a Cardiologist if interventions such as a coronary angiogram is needed.
The exercise stress test should always be performed by a Specialist Physician, Cardiologist or a trained cardiac technician. There are certain contra-indications to performing this test and hence you need to have a formal consultation with the doctor before she puts you on the treadmill to perform the test. It is a very helpful, non-invasive means of determining if a patient has coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery disease is a condition where the arteries that deliver blood to the heart muscle are narrowed or completely blocked. Coronary artery disease is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide and hence it is absolutely important to identify and treat.
Patients most at risk of developing coronary artery disease are those with Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Hyperlipidemias, Obesity and smokers. Of interest is that anxiety and stress disorders have also been found to predispose to coronary artery disease. Furthermore the risk of coronary artery disease naturally increases with age and post menopause in women.
- 24 hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
24 hour ambulatory monitoring automatically tracks your blood pressure at home, work and play over the course of a day.
Why is ambulatory blood pressure monitoring used?
Physicians use this method for many reasons, including to:
- Confirm a diagnosis of hypertension.
- Determine how variations in your blood pressure relate to the things you do each day and how you sleep. As you sleep, your systolic blood pressure (the top number) typically drops by 10% to 20%. This isn’t always the case, though. Your systolic blood pressure may stay the same or go up.
- Check to see how well your high blood pressure is being managed by your medication. Your blood pressure may not be under control by your medication all day and all night. Depending on your BP patterns, your doctor may need to change your dosage or the times you take your medications. Or, to stabilize your blood pressure, you could require more than one medication.
- Observe any differences between your blood pressure readings at home and in your physician’s consult rooms. Your level of risk for cardiovascular disease can be determined by these changes.
- Lung Function Test
A lung function test or a pulmonary function test (PFT) is a simple, non-invasive test performed to evaluate the function of the lungs in terms of lung volume and lung capacity, thereby providing your physician with the necessary information to determine whether or not you have a lung disorder. Based on the results of your test your Physician will be able to determine if you have an obstructive airway disease or a restrictive lung disease.
In the setting of a pre-established lung disease, lung function tests are done to establish the baseline function of the lungs and thereafter monitor treatment outcomes and progession of disease.
They can be used to diagnose and/or monitor the progression of respiratory conditions such as the following:
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Reactive airway disease
- Lung fibrosis
- Bronchiectasis
- Lower respiratory tract infections- bacterial, viral or fungal
- Post Covid-19 Pneumonia lung conditions
- Pleural effusions
- A pulmonary tumour or lung cancer
Integrative Medicine - IV Therapy
This is a very exciting new service that our practice is now offering, whereby we have integrated new and advanced intravenous therapies to enhance the effects of conventional therapies used to treat a large number of medical conditions.
“Integrated or Integrative Medicine is practising medicine in a way that selectively incorporates elements of Complementary and Alternative medicine into comprehensive treatment plans alongside solidly orthodox methods of diagnosis and treatment.”
British Medical Journal 2001;322:119-120
Insurance Assessments and Completion of Specialist Forms
Medical Reports & Motivation letters will be done upon request and at patient cost.
Dr Cindy Govender is able to perform clinical assessments for life insurance and medical insurance purposes. Dr Cindy Govender can also assist with filling out specialist forms, such as Medical reports and Motivations.
If you are in need of an Insurance medical please mention this to the receptionist when making your appointment as a longer consultation time will be required. A detailed history and examination is necessary as well as an ECG and/or Stress ECG if the Insurance company requires that. Once the doctor submits the findings to the Insurance company they will decide on whether you are elligible or not.
What Types of Questions to expect during an Insurance Medical assessment:
- Your medical history – this includes any underlying medical conditions you have, hospitalizations, medications, or procedures you have had. It is important to reveal any past or current conditions to your doctor. This would include underlying psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety or mood disorders, whether or not you are on treatment.
- Your family medical history- such as a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cancer or genetic disorders.
- The details of your family doctor as well as that of other doctors who you have consulted with in the past few years for specialist consults.
- Lifestyle habits – this includes habits such as smoking, frequent alcohol consumption and recreational drug use, as well as positive lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Once your assessment with your doctor is complete, you may required to do some blood tests in order to finalise the Insurance Medical. Blood work will be done to check for things such as glucose, cholesterol, kidney and liver function as well as diseases such as HIV and AIDS. A urine sample may be requested in deemed necessary.
