Can a cardiac ultrasound detect thyrotoxic heart disease?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on February 23, 2025
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Cardiac ultrasound examinations cannot directly diagnose hyperthyroid heart disease, which often leads to an enlargement of the heart and a reduction in cardiac pumping function. Cardiac ultrasound can detect these structural changes in the heart caused by hyperthyroidism and can assess heart function, but it cannot determine if these are caused by an overactive thyroid. A combination of blood tests for thyroid function or a thyroid ultrasound is needed for a comprehensive diagnosis. If the thyroid ultrasound shows a rich blood flow in the thyroid region, appearing flame-like, or if the blood tests show a significant decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone, in conjunction with cardiac ultrasound, it can confirm the presence of hyperthyroid heart disease.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to relieve vomiting caused by heart disease?

Treatment for vomiting caused by heart disease must depend on its cause. First, if caused by heart failure, as the symptoms of heart failure worsen, including right-sided heart failure, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and bloating after eating. The key in these cases is to correct heart failure, perhaps with intravenous diuretic medications or the newer diuretic drug tolvaptan, which can alleviate symptoms of vomiting caused by heart failure. Secondly, digoxin toxicity can cause vomiting if patients with heart failure are taking too much or have been on digoxin for a prolonged period. The primary action in these instances is to discontinue the digoxin medication promptly. Thirdly, if associated with gastritis, treatment would involve medications to stop vomiting and oral omeprazole to protect the stomach lining. (Medications should be taken under medical supervision.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Concept

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of organic heart disease caused by a hypersensitivity reaction in the body due to infection by Streptococcus pyogenes. This leads to pathological changes in the heart valves, including the tricuspid and mitral valves, resulting in stenosis or insufficiency which affects hemodynamics. This condition is known as rheumatic heart disease. Patients with rheumatic heart disease should actively seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor in the early stages to control the occurrence of complications.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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How is cor pulmonale treated?

Cor pulmonale refers to the disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance due to pathological changes in the bronchi, lung tissue, thorax, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial pressure and subsequently causing changes in the structure and function of the right ventricle. When cor pulmonale occurs, treatment is generally divided into the acute exacerbation phase where active control of infections, clearing of the airways, improvement of respiratory function, correction of hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, control of respiratory failure and acute heart failure, and management of complications are emphasized. During the chronic remission phase, the goal is to enhance the patient's immune function, eliminate triggering factors, reduce or avoid the occurrence of acute exacerbations, and partially or fully restore cardiopulmonary function.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can people with heart disease drink alcohol?

Patients with heart disease should not drink alcohol, especially those with severe heart conditions, including heart failure and arrhythmias. Drinking alcohol can excite the sympathetic nervous system, increase heart rate, enhance myocardial oxygen consumption, increase cardiac burden, and worsen arrhythmias and heart failure. Additionally, patients with organic heart disease who regularly require medication should avoid alcohol. Alcohol can chemically interact with certain medications or reduce their effectiveness, potentially harming the body.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What is heart disease?

Heart disease is caused by various factors that invade the heart, resulting in the loss of its normal physiological functions. Common causes of heart disease include rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, viral myocarditis, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary heart disease. These diseases are considered organic heart diseases, caused by various reasons that lead to pathological changes in the heart's muscles, valves, etc., losing the heart's normal ability to pump blood and supply the body with blood.