Whether you are old or young, no matter what beliefs you have or what gender you are, heart disease and heart problems can still happen to you. Often times when people think of heart problems they think of the elderly and don’t believe anything could happen to the young. Here at Medicomp, we have been advancing diagnostic cardiology since 1981 and provide various options to people who suffer from heart problems that help monitor heart beats and its rhythm, no matter what your age.

Different Types of Monitoring

Cardiac monitoring – Is the observation of your heart using a heart monitor to help discover cardiac irregularities.
Holter monitor – Is a heart monitor worn underneath clothes close to the heart, and records electrical activity. The length of time that you wear it depends on what your doctor recommends.
Mobile cardiac telemetry – Monitors and detects arrhythmias. The information is recorded and collected by using your smartphone and a portable heart monitor. The smartphone and heart monitor work together to provide wireless transmissions of electrocardiogram (ECG) waves and sends the data to a monitoring center.
Heart monitors – Helps you monitor the level of exercise and activity your body can handle without exerting yourself beyond what may be appropriate for your heart and body.
Cardiac Monitoring – A heart monitor to help discover cardiac arrhythmias and other heart conditions that may be present and to help determine heart health.

Most Common Symptoms that Might Indicate a Heart Problem in Babies:

Getting out of breath with feeds
Getting sweaty with feeds
Turning blue inside the mouth (gums/tongue)
Passing out

Toddlers/Children

Unable to keep up physically with other children
Getting out of breath with activity sooner than other children
Getting sweaty with activity sooner than other children
Turning blue around the gums/tongue
Passing out

Older Children/Teens

Unable to keep up physically with other children
Getting out of breath with activity sooner than other children
Getting sweaty with exercise sooner than other children
Turning blue around the gums/tongue
Chest pain with exercise
Passing out
Palpitations – heart skipping a beat or beating abnormally
Dizziness with exercise

At Medicomp, we provide the advanced cardiac monitoring services that patients need to provide physicians with informative data and faster diagnoses. For more product information on our cardiac monitoring services, call us at 800-23-HEART or fill out our contact form.

Although many tend to say that some stress is good, the other side of stress tends to wear us down and affect us emotionally, behaviorally, and physically, manifesting a variety of symptoms that you might not even think are related to stress. Stress can originate from an array of different sources, which can lead to other conditions and habits that could affect your heart health daily.

Stress can raise your blood pressure, which can negatively impact your heart health while contributing to the risk of heart disease. Stress is one of the most common reasons people start unhealthy habits, like smoking or over-eating, which can lead to high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Monitoring your heart is nearly essential if you’re at risk of heart disease, and arrhythmia monitoring may be necessary if you regularly experience abnormal heart symptoms such as heart palpitations.

Often times people are so used to being stressed that they fail to act on helping themselves, which can, over time, have negative effects on your well-being. Knowing the symptoms is the first step in addressing the problems, and everyone should be aware of these signs:

Stomach and digestion issues
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Constant of increased anxiety
Increased feeling of being overwhelmed
Increased drug, alcohol and tobacco use
Changes in appetite
Increased frustrations and agitation
Inability to stay focused
Forgetfulness

Monitoring your heart is the key to leading a healthier life, along with replacing harmful habits with more heart healthy ones. This can include regular exercise, or engaging in something you enjoy, such as drawing, gardening, or even going on vacation. Prevention is the key to reducing your risk of heart disease, and recognizing the negative effects of feeling overly stressed can be a huge factor in taking the steps to live a healthier life.

Understanding stress and actively contributing to your physical and mental well-being can greatly increase your heart health and reduce the risks that may contribute to heart disease. Medicomp specializes in providing customers with arrhythmia monitoring systems that make heart monitoring easy and accurate. Contact us today at 800-23-HEART to find out more about our arrhythmia and cardiac event monitor solutions that will help you live a healthier life.

Did you know the number one killer of women in the United States is heart disease? Many people believe that heart disease only affects men, but that is simply false. Anyone can get heart disease, and women are especially at risk, which is why it is vital to monitor your heart health daily.

The risk of heart disease is even higher for women who are overweight and over the age of 70. The older a woman gets, the higher her risk of heart disease, but that is not to say that younger women are without risk. Prevention is key, and practicing healthy eating and lifestyle habits from an early age can reduce the risk of heart disease in the long-run. The risk is just simply too high, and believe it or not, two-thirds of women who have heart complications rarely make a full recovery.

Symptoms of heart disease may not be readily apparent, and it’s important to remember that just because you may experience one of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have, or are at risk of heart disease. The number one symptom is feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep. It’s important to regularly monitor your heart and be aware of any abnormal feelings in your chest, like heart palpitations or possible arrhythmias. Arrhythmia monitoring may be necessary if you regularly experience abnormal symptoms and need a diagnosis from your doctor. A few symptoms of heart disease include but may not be limited to:

Taking steps to live a healthier life can greatly increase your heart health and reduce the risks that may contribute to heart disease. Medicomp specializes in providing customers with arrhythmia monitoring systems that make heart monitoring as accurate as possible. Contact us today at 800-23-HEART to find out more about our arrhythmia monitoring solutions that will help you live a healthier life.

Do you or someone you know have an addiction to energy drinks? Perhaps you might think twice about opening up that energy drink to start your day. A new study has shown that an energy drinking habit may be affecting your hearts’ ability to properly function. Though event recorders can help identify irregular heartbeats over a certain period of time, there have been recent cases of death linked to popular energy drinks and sudden cardiac arrest.

The recent study included healthy patients between the ages of 18 and 45, where researchers studied the QT interval after consuming one to three cans of energy drinks. The QT interval is a measurement of the time from electrical activation and inactivation of the lower chambers of the heart. The longer the QT interval, the more at risk you are for irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac arrest. QT prolongation can ultimately lead to life-threatening heart conditions, so it’s important to limit the consumption of energy drinks to 16 ounces per day, at most.

Though more studies are likely needed to assess the correlation between energy drinks and heart rhythms, patients who are at risk of high blood pressure should use caution when consuming energy drinks. Researchers also found that those who consumed the drinks had raised systolic blood pressure by an average of 3.5 points, another risk that can lead not only to irregular heart rhythms, but can also increase your risk of stroke, heart attack and diabetes.

Event monitors may be necessary to help identify irregular heartbeats. Cardiac telemetry units allow physicians make quicker and more accurate diagnoses without the need to be at the doctor’s office. Medicomp specializes in cardiac monitoring products including Holter monitors, event recorders and telemetry units to help catch and treat potential heart conditions even sooner. For more information about our services and products, call us today at 1-800-23-HEART.

If you’ve ever felt your heart flutter or it seems like your heart has skipped a beat, or you even feel like your heart is beating to hard or too fast, you’ve likely experienced a heart palpitation. There are many reasons why they occur, some of them harmless, and others being a sign of an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that can be identified with a Holter test, EKG, or event monitor.

Physicians will want to know if they are a sign of something more serious by doing a physical exam along with a few basic tests to see if there is anything noticeably wrong. Your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist, a specialist in diagnosing heart diseases and heart conditions. Often the first test done is an EKG, which records your heart’s electrical activity and the timing of your heartbeats. If nothing is immediately noticed or there’s not enough information with an EKG, you might have to wear a Holter monitor for 24 to 72 hours.

The Holter test is used to observe any heart irregularities over a period of time. The information recorded will then be examined by the doctor for diagnosis. The Holter monitor doesn’t always provide enough information for a definitive diagnosis, especially if no symptoms occurred during the time you wore it. Those who should use a Holter monitor include people who have recurring palpitations and those who are already being treated for abnormal heartbeats.

Most heart palpitations are not serious and can be the result of:

• Anxiety and stress
• Smoking
• Exercise
• Cocaine and other illegal drugs
• Caffeine
• Hormonal changes

Conditions associated with heart palpitations include:

• Heart disease
• Low oxygen levels
• Hyperthyroidism
• Prior heart attack
• Heart valve problems
• Coronary artery disease

Medicomp specializes in providing customers with cardiac monitoring systems that make heart monitoring as accurate as possible and allow for faster diagnosis. Contact us today at 800-23-HEART to find out more about our cardiac monitoring solutions that will help you live a healthier life.

You may have heard the term “telemetry” before, but you might wonder what it actually refers to. Along with mobile cardiac telemetry used in heart monitoring, telemetry actually has a number of other uses. Telemetry refers to the automatic measurement and transmission of data at a distance by radio, cellular or other means. Some major uses of telemetry include meteorology, flight testing, military intelligence, communications, and one of the most important applications, health care.

One of the biggest contributions of telemetry is its application in the health and medical world. Those who might potentially be at risk for a serious heart condition can be monitored remotely using mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT). The patient wears the MCT unit for a specific amount of time, while a clinician monitors the data that is being automatically transmitted to them at a monitoring station. This allows patients the ability to be monitored for many days or weeks without having to stay at the hospital or clinic for monitoring.

The log of data that is being automatically recorded and transmitted can be monitored by medical personnel to quickly identify potential problems, which can lead to a faster diagnosis by the patient’s doctor. If a serious problem occurs, mobile cardiac telemetry can alert medical personnel more quickly than traditional heart monitoring methods..

Telemetry can be used in the biological, environmental or physical world, providing and collecting information for research and monitoring. At Medicomp, we provide advanced cardiac monitoring solutions that help doctors achieve a quicker diagnosis. To learn more about our services and products, contact us today at 800-23-HEART.

An irregular heartbeat is commonly known as an arrhythmia, something that many people throughout their lifetime may experience. Your normal heartbeat can be affected, often causing your heart to beat too slowly or too fast, or even in an irregular pattern. Many arrhythmias are often harmless and tend to go unnoticed, but there are several different types of arrhythmias you should be aware of that could be a sign of a more serious condition. Cardiac monitoring can help you avoid more life-threatening conditions that could be present.

Atrial Arrhythmias: These occur in the upper chambers of the heart, the atria. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia and generally aren’t life threatening but can lead to other heart problems. The best way to detect any type of arrhythmia is with an arrhythmia monitoring system like a heart monitor. Sometimes arrhythmias can occur for no obvious reason, but it can still be dangerous if you heart beats too fast.

Ventricular Arrhythmias: These tend to be the most dangerous because without treatment, they can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. They are often characterized by very fast heart rates and start in the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles. Since the ventricles are important in circulating blood, these types of arrhythmias can be dangerous. Ventricular fibrillation, a specific type of arrhythmia, can occur without warning and stops all heart functioning.

Symptoms for arrhythmias include:

• Heart palpitations or fast heartbeats
• Slow or heavy heart pounding sensations
• Dizziness and near fainting
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakness or fatigue

Heart  monitoring may be necessary if you regularly experience symptoms, but be aware that you may not experience symptoms even with an arrhythmia present. If you have symptoms or suspect you have an arrhythmia, see your doctor right away. Medicomp provides heart monitoring solutions that are focused on helping doctors achieve faster diagnoses. From mobile telemetry units to Holter monitors, we provide the most advanced heart monitoring systems in the world. Call us today at 1-800-23-HEART to learn more about our services.

Studies have shown that obesity and being overweight can increase your risk of having heart problems including stroke, heart disease and heart attacks. High blood pressure is a major risk for those overweight because it contributes to strokes and heart disease, the leading causes of death for both women and men in the United States. Heart monitoring can help doctors determine your risks for certain heart conditions, but keeping healthy can also promote heart health. Losing weight doesn’t have to be difficult, and even losing 10 pounds can decrease your blood pressure and reduce your risk of a heart attack. Here are some super foods that you can incorporate into your diet that can help you start losing weight.

Berries: Virtually any type of berry is considered to be super food. Blueberries especially are high in antioxidants and vitamins and are a good source of fiber. They contain special compounds that also help reduce the risk of heart disease and cholesterol.

Salmon: Omega 3 fatty acids in salmon helps strengthen your cardiovascular system while reducing your risk of heart disease. Salmon is also a great source of protein and contains tons of healthy vitamins. Make sure you opt for wild caught salmon, which is more rich in nutrients than farm raised salmon.

Beans: Beans digest slowly and contain large amounts of fiber, both of which make you feel fuller for longer. They also contain as much protein as some meats, and have the added benefit of fiber, which helps you lose weight, reduce cholesterol, and reduce risks of a heart attack.

Oats: Oats can be used in a variety of ways, most notably for breakfast. Adding fruits can liven up the flavor and provide for a heart healthy breakfast. Oats contain fiber that helps lower cholesterol and reduce the risks of heart disease while promoting weight loss and controlling blood sugar.

Avocado: These super fruits have the most fat of any fruit which may sound like a bad thing, but the fat from avocados is actually good for you. Monounsaturated fats are good for your heart and great at lowering bad cholesterol.

Eating these heart healthy foods can help you lose weight while promoting a healthy heart.Medicomp provides doctors with state-of-the-art cardiac monitoring services that help promote a healthy lifestyle with informative data that lead to faster diagnoses. Call us at 1-800-23-HEART to learn more about our heart monitors and how they can help you.

New parents are constantly worried about the health of their child, and discovering a congenital heart defect can potentially put your child at risk for more serious conditions. Heart defects can be inhibiting to the child but those who have been diagnosed with a heart defect can live the same quality life as anyone else. Children and adults can both lead a healthy, active life and those who incorporate regular physical activity within their daily lifestyle can receive numerous health benefits. Cardiac monitoring solutions can help doctors diagnose defects and help you understand how it can affect your daily lifestyle.

Although it’s best to talk with your doctor about the amount of physical activity that someone with a heart defect should do, engaging yourself in exercise and help maintain a strong heart. Some of the most beneficial exercises involve aerobic activities that increase your heart rate, such as biking, jogging or swimming. For children, team sports are a great opportunity to increase your child’s physical activity. Most patients who exercise will experience benefits that would outweigh any risks, and it’s best to stay away from activities that involve straining, like weightlifting.

Typically those who have congenital heart defects tire out quicker than those without heart defects because they have less oxygen in their bloodstream. There are several treatment options available that can help the heart function without invasive treatments like the use of medication. Invasive treatments involve surgery and put the patient at a higher risk, and doesn’t lead to a cure.

Does your child have a congenital heart defect? Heart monitoring solutions can help doctors quickly diagnose heart defects and can help doctors create a plan on managing the defect. Medicomp Inc specializes in designing and developing cardiac monitoring services to help provide the most accurate information on your cardiac health. Learn more about our services and how we can help you by calling us at 1-800-23-HEART.

Congenital heart defects are heart abnormalities that are present at birth, and often times aren’t detrimental to the health of a child. Although, there are cases where it may be more severe, infants who are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect could require medication or surgery soon after birth. What type of cardiac monitoring tests and methods can be used to help identify heart defects?

Fetal Echocardiogram: As one of the most often used to detect cardiac conditions, fetal echocardiograms are done during pregnancy to help determine cardiac defects, the most common of birth defects. It’s able to tell if the unborn baby has a heart defect before it’s born and can contribute to helping doctors diagnose the problem and plan for treatment. The fetal echo is done using an ultrasound and can detect nearly 100% of congenital heart defects, but most patients only opt for a general ultrasound, which only detects around a third of heart diseases.

Heart Monitor: Similar to an ECG, Holter monitors or event monitors can be used to record your heart for an extended period of time, typically 1 to 3 days. It is fitted to the patient and worn routinely to help determine how your heart functions on a day to day basis. The doctor will then take the recording and use the findings to help diagnose any issues.

Echocardiogram (ECG): This is done after the infant is born and allows doctors to see recorded pictures of your child’s heart and is one of the most widely used tests for diagnoses in cardiology. The test shows doctors how the heart is currently performing and also shows the structure of the heart including heart valves, chambers and movement. The test is performed as the patient lays down on their back with electrodes placed on your chest along with a transducer, a tool used to produce sound waves that converts to pictures that show your moving heart.

Pulse Oximeter: A device used to display the amount of oxygen in the blood can help determine the existence of a heart defect if there is a lack of oxygen. The oximeter is generally placed on the finger, earlobe or toe and is used instead of taking an actual blood sample to measure oxygen levels.

Medicomp Inc specializes in providing doctors with more accurate cardiac diagnoses. Our cardiac monitoring solutions provide informative data that can help you lead a healthier life. Contact us today at 1-800-23-HEART to find out more information about our cardiac monitors and solutions.