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A simple test, which controls the accumulation of fat around the heart, can predict the presence of coronary artery disease with great accuracy, according to new findings. The examination is done with an ultrasound device and measures the thickness of the pericardial fat, which represents the 20% of heart mass. When its thickness exceeds 6 millimeters, is a suspected indication of coronary artery disease and thus further tests are performed on the examinee, which will confirm or exclude this possibility. The above was emphasized by Dr. Stylianos Handanis, director of the Cardiology Clinic of Tzanios Hospital, Piraeus, in his speech at the 4th Congress of the Association of Independent Cardiologists of Greece (ECEC), which was held in Nafplio from 31 March to 2 April 2017. As explained by Dr. Hadanis, until the last century experts believed that the adipose tissue around the heart contributed to the mechanical protection and thermoregulation of the coronary arteries. However, it is now documented that it is not just a fat store but, as is the case with abdominal fat, is a biologically active organ that secretes cytokines. Cytokines are substances with inflammatory properties that promote atherosclerosis, which is responsible for acute coronary events (heart attacks). "Measurement of pericardial fat has a high predictive value and can be done with ultrasound during a routine cardiac examination", said Dr. Hadanis. And he added that the reduction of pericardial fat contributes to the loss of extra pounds when present, in combination with exercise and taking lipid-lowering drugs. Continue at source ...
A simple test, which controls the accumulation of fat around the heart, can predict the presence of coronary artery disease with great accuracy, according to new findings. The examination is done with an ultrasound device and measures the thickness of the pericardial fat, which represents the 20% of heart mass. When its thickness exceeds 6 millimeters, is a suspected indication of coronary artery disease and thus further tests are performed on the examinee, which will confirm or exclude this possibility. The above was emphasized by Dr. Stylianos Handanis, director of the Cardiology Clinic of Tzanios Hospital, Piraeus, in his speech at the 4th Congress of the Association of Independent Cardiologists of Greece (ECEC), which was held in Nafplio from 31 March to 2 April 2017. As explained by Dr. Hadanis, until the last century experts believed that the adipose tissue around the heart contributed to the mechanical protection and thermoregulation of the coronary arteries. However, it is now documented that it is not just a fat store but, as is the case with abdominal fat, is a biologically active organ that secretes cytokines. Cytokines are substances with inflammatory properties that promote atherosclerosis, which is responsible for acute coronary events (heart attacks). "Measurement of pericardial fat has a high predictive value and can be done with ultrasound during a routine cardiac examination", said Dr. Hadanis. And he added that the reduction of pericardial fat contributes to the loss of extra pounds when present, in combination with exercise and taking lipid-lowering drugs. Continue at source ...