24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
The purpose of our 24-hour blood pressure monitoring is to keep a close watch on your blood pressure as you go about your daily activities.
We achieve this through the help of a small digital blood pressure machine that is connected to a belt around your body, which is attached to a cuff around the upper part of your arm.
The need to monitor your blood pressure is to check for hypertension, and to also have an idea of what your blood pressure is like throughout the night and day.
We may require a patient to be placed under 24-hour blood pressure monitoring for the following reasons;
- To know if your blood pressure stays high at night. If we discover that it is high at night, then we may have to change, adjust, or review your medication.
- To monitor how well your medicines are working and to ascertain if your blood pressure is well controlled both during the day and at night.
- To know if your blood pressure readings in the clinic differ from what they are at home or away from the clinic.
These are some of the reasons why we may want to put our patients under 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
For patients with high BP; if you would like to have good control and monitoring of your blood pressure, our practice is the right place to be. We do not take the well-being of our patients lightly, as we understand that medical issues relating to blood pressure, should be well managed and monitored.
How does our 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring work?
Our 24-hour blood pressure monitoring works in the same way as going to the clinic to have your BP checked, although for the monitoring, a digital device that measures your blood pressure throughout the day is worn on your belt or waist, while the cuff is connected to your upper arm. This digital device takes your blood pressure reading at regular intervals throughout the day; normally every 30 minutes during the day and 60 minutes at night.
How do I prepare for 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring?
This is a question that most of our patients ask; the answer here is that you do not need to do anything to prepare for your 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. However, it is good to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment, so that we can fit the blood pressure monitor properly.
We recommend that our patients should go about their regular daily routine the period of 24hr monitoring.
After the 24 hours, we will remove the device and then access the readings to analyze what it implies and make necessary recommendations to our patients. You can always count on our expertise to deliver the best medical services to our clients, at all times.
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24 Hour ECG Holter Monitoring
24-Hour ECG Holter Monitoring
An ECG holter monitor is a small digital device that records the rhythm of the heart over a period of time; this rhythm is also known as the heart’s electrical activity. The Holter monitor is an ambulatory, portable ECG machine that helps to provide particular information about the heart. It is worn over a period of 24 hours with small, sticky patches called electrodes, attached to the chest. During this 24 hour period, the patient can go about their normal daily routine. A holter monitoring machine is noninvasive and painless.
Once the monitoring is complete, the holter is returned, and the readings are accessed and analyzed by a cardiologist. That information is then sent to your GP who will make any necessary recommendations.
We carry out this monitoring on our patients who complain of dizziness, palpitations, and breathlessness to detect any abnormality in the way the heart beats for early detection Arrhythmia.
Arrhythmia is a condition that arises as a result of irregular heartbeat and early detection can prove vital. Just as we all know that the heart is the engine of the body and should be well cared for.
How does the 24-Hour ECG monitoring work?
The Holter Monitor is a portable ambulatory, miniature ECG machine that is capable of providing the following information;
- It captures and monitors the heart rhythm over a 24 hour period. This is undertaken during normal activities and when any special event, which is triggered by the patient, occurs.
- It helps to correlate any form of chest pain and palpitations the patient may experience in relation to the heart’s electrical activity at a particular point in time.
- It helps to show how well anti-arrhythmia medicines are working.
- It records any kind of abnormal heart rhythms that may occur by providing information about the extent of arrhythmia; what might trigger it, and how long it may last.
We encourage our patients who are undergoing Holter Monitoring to observe the following useful tips to ensure accurate recording;
- For people with hairy chest, the part where the electrodes will be placed will need to be shaved.
- The ECG wire, electrodes, or monitor needs to be kept dry.
- Try as much as possible to sleep on their back with the recorder well positioned at their side so that the electrodes do not pull off.
- The wires and electrodes should be properly attached throughout the entire recording.
- Avoid using metal detectors, electric blankets, magnets, and standing in high voltage areas such as amongst power lines, as signals from these devices can influence the recording.
Please make an appointment with your GP to discuss possible ECG monitoring and if you have any cardiac concerns.
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Iron Infusions
Iron Infusions
Why is Iron important?
Our bodies need iron. Iron is used to make haemoglobin – the part of our red blood cells that carries oxygen around our body. It is also important for muscle strength, energy and good mental function. If your iron levels are low this may make you feel tired and not able to do normal daily activities. As the amount of iron in the body falls even lower, the haemoglobin level drops below normal. This is known as iron deficiency anaemia.
Why might I need an Iron Infusion?
The most common way to treat iron deficiency is to take iron by mouth as a tablet or liquid. This works well for most people and is usually tried first. Some people may need iron to be given straight into the body through a vein. This is called an Intravenous (IV) iron infusion. Sometimes 2 iron infusions (given at least 1 week apart) are needed to fully top up iron stores. The infusion is made up of iron, not blood. IV iron might be needed if you:
- Are not able to take iron tablets / liquid
- Are not responding to iron tablets / liquid or not absorbing them
- Need to get your iron levels up quickly (eg. before major surgery, late in pregnancy or to avoid blood transfusion)
- If you have chronic kidney disease or chronic heart failure Your doctor should explain why you need IV iron and the other options
How do I make an appointment for an Iron Infusion?
You will first need to make a standard consultation appointment with your GP to discuss your current health, medical history, review of medications and any prior treatment if any. You will also need to have a blood test to determine your current iron levels and your GP will then discuss the next steps. If an Iron Infusion will be beneficial to you, and treatment is deemed appropriate by your GP, an appointment will be scheduled.
Ref: www2.health.vic.gov.au
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Our Allied Health Practitioners
Podiatrist
Chanelle Khoury
If you’re looking for a podiatrist you can trust in Bankstown, Chanelle is available to provide you with foot and lower leg care as soon as you need it, with some of the most dependable podiatry services available anywhere.
Dietitian
Jessica Akiki
For help from an accredited dietician to develop and stick to a healthy diet, turn to Jessica. She can assist with developing plans for healthy eating and teach you how to avoid complications with diabetes and other conditions that heavily depend on your diet.
Physiotherapy
Alya Nabi and Andrew Fayad
Looking for complete physiotherapy to help you stay in great shape? Through these services, you can manage musculoskeletal pain and other types of injuries that can assist with rehabilitation.
Psychology
We have psychologists at Bankstown Family Medical Practice to ensure your mental health is well looked after
Kristy Delmas and Sava Tsolis (Clinical Psychologist) are all available to help
Audiology – Hearing Tests
Layalin Ibrahim is available to help
Onsite Pathology Coming Soon
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Circulation Testing
Do you feel your circulation is not what it should be?
Have you experienced any of the symptoms below?
Signs of poor circulation
There are a several signs to look out for which can suggest that you may have poor circulation. These include:
- Cold feet and toes – not just in wintertime
- Cold hands and fingers
- Feeling numb in certain parts of the body, especially the extremities
- Feeling tired or having a lack of energy for much of the time
- Some hair loss can be because of bad blood flow
- Having regular dizzy spells
- If your skin gets dry even though you drink plenty of water
- Swelling and water retention, especially in the feet
- Lumps in blood vessels and varicose veins
- Headaches
- Cramps and pins and needles
- Blotches and blemishes in the skin
Some people will have none of these signs but may still be in the early stages of circulation changes.
At Family Doctor we offer a simple test to check for circulation problems.
This called Ankle-Brachial Index test (ABI). This test is done in the clinic to evaluate circulation in the legs. It begins by the nurse using specialist equipment to take blood pressures in the arms and at the ankles at the same time which then gives us a report of the blood flow in your legs. The exam takes about 10 minutes to perform and you will be asked to rest flat for this procedure.
The nurse will look at the skin on your legs and feet for colour changes, check skin temperature and the pulses in your legs and feet .
Your doctor will review your medical record to assess additional risk factors you may have for developing poor circulation, discuss the results of your ABI and if necessary order blood tests.
Poor circulation can have many unhappy repercussions for your body, especially your heart, brain and legs if left unchecked. If identified, early prevention and improvement is possible.
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