The Cardiology+ ECG package

The heart is a unique organ which plays a crucial role in our organism. The heart acts as the pump that circulates blood through the entire body.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death throughout the world. It is estimated that 17.9 million people died due to them in 2019, which is the equivalent of 32% of all deaths worldwide that year. In addition, 85% of them were caused by heart attack and stroke. Most of CVDs can be prevented by reducing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity or excessive alcohol consumption.

The effects of behavioural risk factors can manifest themselves through high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose levels, blood lipids as well as excess weight and obesity. Such “indirect risk factors” indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications. It has been proven that the risk of cardiovascular diseases can be lowered by quitting smoking, reducing salt in the diet, eating more fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, pharmacological treatment of hypertension, diabetes and high blood lipids is necessary to reduce cardiovascular risk and prevent heart attacks and strokes in people suffering from these afflictions.

It is essential to detect a cardiovascular disease and begin treatment as early as possible.

CVDs can develop over many years without any symptoms, which is why it is so important to have regular check-ups that consist of, for instance, blood count, lipid profile, blood glucose testing, kidney function assessment and blood pressure measurements. Approximately 40% of patients die within five years of the heart failure diagnosis – mainly due to the fact it happens late, and due to inadequate treatment.

For whom is the package intended?

Make sure to use our package if you suffer from heart muscle abnormalities (or there is a suspicion of such disorders), experience palpitations and shortness of breath or get tired quickly. There are many symptoms associated with abnormal heart function that, when observed, should be consulted with a cardiologist:

• dyspnoea – a subjective feeling of breathlessness, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; such problems can often be a warning sign of various heart conditions; if you experience severe shortness of breath accompanied by other symptoms, such as sudden, acute pain in the chest, a feeling of pressure under the sternum, confusion, nausea or excessive sweating, immediately call the emergency services;
• dizziness ‒ a feeling of unsteadiness; a sensation of staggering or falling down and of spinning, swaying or floating of the surroundings or your own body; dizziness can indicate a number of different conditions, including heart disease or unstable blood pressure;
• fainting ‒ it can be described as a sudden and transient loss of conscious­ness, caused by a reduction in blood flow to the brain; confusion and dizziness are common signs of fainting; it can be caused, for example, by low blood glucose level, panic attacks, anaemia or heart disease;
• chest pain – also known as angina pectoris – often occurs when the heart is not being provided with enough oxygen; the pain can sometimes radiate to the shoulder, arm and jaw – if this happens, it is necessary to immediately call the emergency services; although not all kinds of chest pain are angina pectoris, you should always consult them with a doctor;
• heart palpitations ‒ a subjective, unpleasant feeling of an irregular or excessive heartbeat; it may be caused by a heart disorder and should be consulted with a doctor.

Other symptoms that should be discussed with a cardiologist include:

• diagnosed atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism disorders;
• difficulties with the regulation of chronic conditions, such as heart failure or hypertension;
• performing activities that require high physical fitness;
• family history of cardiovascular diseases.

The package is intended for persons over 18 years of age.

Which diagnostic tests does the package include?

The Cardiology+ ECG package involves consultations with a nurse and a cardiologist and an ECG test.

• ECG (electrocardiogram) – it is a non-invasive and painless test, performed in order to assess the work of the heart and to detect possible asymptomatic changes in the cardiovascular system. ECG is one of the basic tests used for the diagnosis of heart diseases. The test enables recording of the heart’s electrical activity from the surface of the chest and assessing the functioning of the electrical conduction system of the heart.
• A consultation with a treatment nurse, who performs:
  • the ECG test;
  • blood pressure measurement;
  • body mass measurement (including calculation of BMI).
• A consultation with a cardiologist, who:
  • conducts a medical interview and carries out a physical examination;
  • analyses the results of your tests, including the ECG, which can provide important information about the condition of your heart;
  • makes a diagnosis;
  • provides medical recommendations, e.g. in terms of changes in diet and lifestyle;
  • prescribes any medication you may need;
  • issues referrals for any additional tests, examinations or consultations.

Once you have purchased the package, you will receive a phone call from a Medicover coordinator, who will arrange visits, tests and examinations at a time convenient for you, in the Centre of your choice.

IMPORTANT! Please arrive at the selected Medical Centre 30 minutes before your cardiologist appointment. Prior to seeing the doctor, you will be invited to a consultation with a nurse, who will perform the ECG test.

If you fail to arrive at the Centre 30 minutes before your cardiologist appoint­ment, the doctor will not be able to receive the ECG results to review. The test may be carried out at a later date, but the doctor will only contact you if the results are worrying.

Health check validity period: 3 months from the date indicated in the order confirmation.

Why is it sensible to choose the package?

Your benefits:

• you will be able to check whether your heart is working properly, and if the results are abnormal – you will have the chance to quickly begin the treatment process and prevent complications;
• you will be able to confirm or rule out the presence of heart diseases;
• you will check whether any of your ailments are caused by cardiac disorders;
• you will receive medical recommendations for potential further diagnostics and treatment of the detected abnormalities; based on the test results, your cardiologist will be able to initiate treatment or order additional tests or examinations to discover the cause of your disease;
• you will save time and conveniently undergo the tests and consultations – the entire process will take place during one visit at a Medicover Centre;
• you will be able to save money – you will pay less for the Cardiology + ECG package than you would if you purchased the consultation and test separately.

How to use the package?

Choose the most convenient location First, select the city and Medical Centre where you would like to take advantage of your package. Then, fill in the form with your personal data and pay for the package.

How to make an appointment for an ECG test under the package? You do not need to make an additional appointment for the ECG test – it will be performed during your consultation with a nurse, so please arrive at the Centre 30 minutes before the time of appointment indicated in your order.

Test results The results of the ECG are provided immediately after the test is completed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

You can take advantage of the package within 3 months from the date indicated in your order confirmation.

Please remember to come to your appointment 30 minutes before the time indicated in your order, as the visit will be preceded by a consultation with a nurse, during which the ECG test will be performed.

IMPORTANT! Please arrive at the selected Medical Centre 30 minutes before your cardiologist appointment. Prior to seeing the doctor, you will be invited to a consultation with a nurse, who will perform the ECG test.

If you fail to arrive at the Centre 30 minutes before your cardiologist appoint­ment, the doctor will not be able to receive the ECG results to review. The test may be carried out at a later date, but the doctor will only contact you if the results are worrying.

You can take advantage of the package at the Medicover Centre of your choice in all major cities across Poland.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST?

The ECG test does not require any special preparation. You will be asked to undress to your waist (female patients will need to remove also their bra), expose your ankles and wrists and take off glasses and metal accessories. The test involves placing electrodes, between which there is a voltage difference, on the patient’s chest and limbs. The skin of the wrists, ankles and chest is moistened at the sites of electrode placement to improve the conduction of the electrical impulses. For the time of the test, you will be asked to lie flat on your back with your arms by your side. The test takes approximately five minutes.