In this video we listen to the heart of a patient who has a diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction and a heart murmur.
WHAT IS DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION?
Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the left ventricle gets stiffer and is not able to accept blood return in a normal fashion. It can lead to high blood pressure and even heart failure thus requiring regular monitoring and management.
This lovely patient also has a heart murmur that you can clearly hear with the stethoscope. We take a listen to her heart at rest and during exercise.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment in the comments section below or pop by and see me in clinic.
One in every ten women are affected, no amount of dieting can help and most don’t know it exists… In this episode we talk to a patient diagnosed with Lipoedema and take a listen to her fascinating heart murmur at both rest and during exercise.
LIPOEDEMA
Lipoedema is a condition that mainly affects women and is characterised by symmetrical swelling in the legs, thighs, buttocks and sometimes arms. It is due to the way fat is deposited under the skin in an uneven manner instead of in a regular pattern. It can be extremely painful and the areas that are affected have a tendency to bruise easily. Lipoedema can result in fluid retention in the affected areas leading to a condition known as lymphoedema. It is thought to have a genetic basis, however, the cause of the condition is not yet fully understood.
As we hear in this interview, lipoedema can have a number of effects on the body from having a limited ability to do physical exercise to other medical conditions. As you’ll hear, our patient was incidentally found to have a murmur caused by diastolic dysfunction which is where the heart has trouble relaxing between beats. This means that with each contraction, less blood is pumped from the left ventricle and so the heart has to work harder to make up for this shortfall. This, if not monitored regularly, can lead to conditions such as high blood pressure and even heart failure. We take a listen to the murmur over both the aortic and pulmonary valve during rest and exercise and it’s truly amazing.
Treatment of lipoedema is multi-dimensional and involves psychological support, healthy eating and exercise, skin care, compression therapy and management of pain amongst others. It is often managed through a multidisciplinary team of doctors and therapists.
If you or someone is affected with lipoedema please see your General Practitioner for further assessment and management. There are also a number of useful support groups available.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment in the comments section below or pop by and see me in clinic.
In today’s episode of Dr Nora, I take a close look at the 3200 Littmann Bluetooth Electronic Stethoscope and see whether it’s worth the hefty price tag of $700AUD.
My primary reason for adding this to my stethoscope collection is to record heart sounds directly and share them with my YouTube followers. Prior to this, I had been recording heart sounds through my manual stethoscope by placing a microphone lapel into the ear piece, a very cumbersome experience. With this stethoscope giving the ability to record twelve 30 second tracks, I thought it would be ideal. Watch on to see what’s included in the box, what it sounds like and how to transfer the tracks onto your computer.
PROS
- 12x 30 second clips can be recorded
- Can toggle between diaphragm/ bell or both
- Comfortable ear piece - 2 sizes in the box
- Reduction in ambient noise
- On screen display on heart rate
- Battery powered x1 AA (included)
- 2 year manufacturers warranty
- Easy transfer of files to computer
CONS
- Pricey
- Limited colours available - black, burgundy, navy blue.
- Heavier
- Can’t transfer files onto a mobile device.
- Doesn’t work as well on damp skin
CONCLUSION
This is a great tool if you’re interested in learning more about particular heart, lung or bowel sounds. It would be a useful aid for exam preparation and it looks futuristic. I’ll certainly be keeping mine to film more beautiful sounds of the body.
Thanks for watching and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment in the comments section below or pop by and see me in clinic.
If you are on prescribed medication long term, it is important that these are checked regularly by your doctor to make sure you are on the correct dose and they are still working for you.
Some medications require regular blood test monitoring to ensure that there have been no unwanted effects on the body.
If you are unsure about your last medication review or have any questions please pop by and see me in clinic.
Ever walked into a chemist and felt overwhelmed by all of the different medicines and vitamins? This week is all about being Medicine Wise. 💊
Whether you’re taking prescribed medication or over the counter supplements it’s time to question what they are for, how you are taking them and what potential side effects they have. If medicines are not used correctly, serious issues can occur. Each year 230,000 Australians are hospitalised with problems by their medicines. It is vital that your medications are reviewed regularly by your doctor to ensure they are still needed.
So next time your getting a script make sure you’ve got all your information. If you have any concerns or questions please pop by and see me in clinic.
Take care and stay healthy 😘
Dr Nora 💉
For more information visit nps.org.au/bemedicinewise
