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The Hidden Language of the Heart: What Can a Stethoscope Tell You About Heart Health?
The assessment of heart health is often an important part of clinical examinations. Through auscultation of the heart, we can not only observe the structure of the heart, but also understand the function of the heart. Currently, the medical community has quite mature technology and methods for heart examinations; however, many people are still unfamiliar with these examination steps. This article will give you insight into the hidden language of your heart and uncover the secrets of heart health through your stethoscope.
The cardiac examination is a comprehensive process that covers a multifaceted assessment, including measurement of vital signs, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
Measurement of vital signs
The first step in a cardiac examination is to measure vital signs. Signs not only reflect the health of the heart, but also indicate the overall health of the patient. For example, the measurement of blood pressure and heart rate is undoubtedly a core part. In terms of blood pressure, normal systolic pressure should be less than 120 mm Hg, while diastolic pressure should be less than 80 mm Hg.
A difference of more than 15 mm Hg in blood pressure between the left and right arms may indicate a problem with your blood vessels. The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, which can be measured by feeling your pulse or confirmed using a stethoscope.
The process of a heart examination
As the examination progresses, the doctor will focus on checking various indicators of the heart, the core of which includes inspection and palpation. At this stage, the doctor may ask the patient to relax and further check the heart's beats. Through visual examination, the heart's fibrillation or point of maximum pulsation (PMI) can be observed. Palpation can help check the driving force of the heart, such as heart beats and heart sounds.
Examination of the heart is not limited to the chest; assessment of the hands, head, and ankles is equally important.
Percussion and auscultation
Percussion is a method of estimating the size of the heart by tapping lightly on the chest with the fingers, although palpation is more accurate. Auscultation is then the focus of the entire examination. The doctor will use a stethoscope to check the position of four auscultatory areas of the heart: the aorta, pulmonary artery, tricuspid valve, and mitral valve.
In these areas, doctors evaluate for the presence of heart murmurs, rubs, or heart impulses (heart sounds). The absence of abnormal sounds is often recorded as “no murmur/rub/heart impulse.” According to the American Heart Association, cardiac auscultation is considered the most common method of screening for heart valve disease.
Importance of Lung ExaminationIn addition to the heart itself, examination of the lungs is an important part of evaluating heart health. Certain lung sounds can even suggest underlying heart disease. For example, in the setting of heart failure, auscultation of the lungs may reveal abnormal crackles, which suggest that the heart may not be effectively pumping blood around the body.
Abdominal and peripheral examinations in relation to
Assessing heart health also requires consideration of the condition of the abdomen and surrounding areas. Examination of the aorta requires palpation and auscultation to look for thrills or bruits, which may indicate a vascular problem. In addition, peripheral vascular examination can provide important clues to heart function, including pulse strength and the condition of blood circulation to the feet.
ConclusionThe health of your heart does not only depend on the heart itself, but is also closely related to various systems throughout the body.
Overall, a cardiac exam is more than just a technical procedure; it actually reflects the doctor's overall understanding of the patient's health. During these examinations, each experience of listening to heart sounds may reveal different health secrets. Perhaps in the future, we will be able to gain a deeper understanding of this mysterious and important organ, the heart, and how our health will be affected?
