We will not innovate much if we tell you that one of the most important rules in maintaining health is early prevention of diseases. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to control every health hazard that awaits us around the corner, and at the same time there are a number of tests that strict adherence to can clearly prevent dangerous diseases in advance and save lives.
These tests include: mammography for early detection of breast cancer, colonoscopy for early detection of colon cancer and also – a heart test on exertion, recommended for men from age 40 and women from age 50, or earlier depending on medical history. A new and recommended test for early detection of cardiac ischemia offers an innovative development called HEART TRENDF that makes it possible to detect this dangerous condition without any effort.
“Cardiac ischemia is the second leading cause of death in the Western world,” explains Nurse Anisimov. “It is a disease characterized by a reduction in the blood supply to the heart muscle, as a result of which its function is impaired. The symptoms that may indicate this condition are, for example, angina / shortness of breath during exertion.” According to her, the risk of this problem increases with age and is affected by various risk factors related to our lifestyle, such as regular consumption of red meat, smoking and stress.
How is the test performed?
“The test lasts about 20 minutes and during it you can conduct yourself as usual – you can rest or walk. The subjects wear a kind of electronic belt around the chest, which actually records the activity of the heart,” explains Anisimov. The HEART TRENDF test technology is based on an innovative algorithm that analyzes changes in heart rate, which allows the detection of instability in the sympathetic and parasympathetic system – subsystems in the autonomic nervous system.
According to studies, the connection between these two systems indicates a high level of risk of death (for whatever reason) as well as the occurrence of cardiac events that may end in death. “This is actually the main purpose of the test – to prevent the risk in advance, long before the onset of symptoms.”
Benefits of the new test
There are two distinct advantages to performing this test compared to a heart test on exertion:
Ease of execution – As mentioned, this test does not involve effort.
Reliability – Studies have shown that this test is even more reliable than the known stress test, and is 77% accurate compared to 27% of a standard stress test.
Where can the test be performed?
Today, this test can be performed in Israel at the Aviel Institute, at 17 Herbert Samuel St., Hadera. The test is portable and can be performed anywhere by prior arrangement. The HEART TRENDF test is approved by the FDA and the Ministry of Health and has undergone clinical trials in collaboration with Prof. Ilan Goldenberg, a senior cardiologist at the Heart Center at Sheba Hospital. The cost of the test: NIS 500.
Assisted in the preparation of the article: Michal Halperin