Healsens - Discover your health risks, get insights for longevity | Product Hunt

health screening

screening mammography

WHAT IS A SCREENING MAMMOGRAM?

WHAT IS A SCREENING MAMMOGRAM? Read More »

Since our goal is disease prevention and early diagnosis, we talk about screenings a lot. This time, as we continue the topic of breast cancer prevention we will discuss what a screening mammogram is? Written by Y. Timovskaya, Ph.D., doctor oncologist of the highest category, Member of ESMO.  Diagnostic or Screening Mammogram? So what is screening? According to Wikipedia, screening (“selection, sorting”) can mean – a system of primary examination of groups of clinically asymptomatic individuals in order to identify causes of disease. But in order to accurately capture the subtleties of this definition, we will take a couple of examples. IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Diagnostic or Screening Mammogram? 2 What is screening for? 3 Breast cancer screening mammography RELATED ARTICLES So, a 45-year-old patient comes to the doctor and complains of mammary gland pain. The doctor examines her, does not find any pathology, but gives her a referral for mammography. Here’s another situation: the patient comes to the doctor and complains of a chronic gastritis exacerbation. The doctor, in addition to giving recommendations for the gastritis treatment, recommends undergoing mammography. What does it have to do with screening? Screening is done to detect serious diseases such as cancer and breast cancer (BC) in particular. Both patients have no breast cancer symptoms. Both were advised to undergo mammography. However, in the first case, the patient complained about breast pain, and in the second case, she didn’t. Therefore, in the first case, it will be a diagnostic mammogram. In the second case – screening mammogram. Globally, there is no difference, both patients will undergo mammography. Another thing is important here. In the first case, the patient came with mammary gland complaints, which indicates the necessity of examination. In the second case, the doctor took the initiative and recommended a mammogram. Unfortunately, while situations described in the first case are numerous, those described in the second case are few. Doctors often forget about this important examination method. Mammograms are scheduled only in those cases when patients have breast complaints. Therefore, we consider it expedient to inform healthy women to require mammography tests when visiting their doctors. In our further articles, we will return to the world recommendations on how often and to whom it is recommended to undergo screening mammography. What is screening for? But what is screening for? What does it give us and why is mammography screening performed all over the world? Unfortunately, the incidence of breast cancer is constantly increasing. There are many reasons. We cannot influence the incidence rate. Long-term results of breast cancer treatment directly depend on the stage at which treatment started. The smaller the stage, the shorter, cheaper, and more effective the treatment. Therefore, the whole world is fighting to identify the early, if possible preclinical stages of breast cancer. Thus, mammography is the main assistant in identifying breast cancer at its early stages. Let’s look at some examples again. Breast cancer screening mammography During self-examination (when women regularly check the condition of their glands), the average size of detected tumors is more than 2 cm. Rarely, only in cases where the tumor is actually located on the gland surface, subcutaneously, the patient has a chance to find this tumor measuring 1.2-1.5 cm. In all other cases, unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to identify a small tumor on your own. Therefore, self-examination, as a method for early detection of breast cancer, is not included in international recommendations for patients. Furthermore, breast ultrasound is a favorite method for patients. But, alas, the method is not suitable for breast cancer screening. First, ultrasound can detect tumors in the mammary glands if the tumors are larger than 8 mm. Secondly, the incidence of breast cancer is higher in older age groups. Besides, the value of ultrasound as a diagnostic method decreases with age and with increased size of the gland. For this and other reasons, the ultrasound diagnostic method is not a screening method. It should be noted however that ultrasound has many advantages. We will talk about it separately. But only mammography can be used as the main method of breast cancer screening. During mammography, a tumor of 3 mm or more can be detected. It’s also possible to detect signs of non-invasive breast cancer in the form of microcalcification, as well as precancerous pathology. We wrote about the clinical forms of breast cancer separately. For patients with breast cancer and those treated for breast cancer, routine annual MMGs are performed. It’s important for the early detection of relapses and contralateral cancers. My wish to everyone is that all examinations would only be screenings confirming that we are healthy.

толщина комплекса интима–медиа сонных артерий

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test Read More »

Although countries are focusing on fighting cardiovascular disease (CVD), the burden of coronary artery disease continues to rise globally. Atherosclerosis, the precursor of CV events, keeps progressing insidiously without symptoms. Let’s take a look at the reasons why this is happening, as well as at the solutions for the problem. Among other things, we will introduce some proposals from the expert group of Heart Attack Prevention and Education (SHAPE). We will also dwell on a simple non-invasive test, TCIM (Carotid Intima-Media Thickness), which appeared on the list of recommendations. This article was last reviewed by Svetlana Baloban, Healsens, on January 24, 2020. This article was last modified on 7 February 2020. We will start by looking back in history. So, the thickness of the intima-media of the carotid artery as a marker of atherosclerosis appeared not so long ago. It wasn’t until 1986 that Italian investigators decided to compare the arterial wall thickness aorta to common carotid arteries. They described the results and came to the conclusion that this approach may be useful. Since then, calculation of carotid IMT (CIMT) has been widely used as non-invasive measure of atherosclerosis. The Essence of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a screening test for atherosclerosis. In adults, CIMT is predictive of myocardial infarction and stroke. In children and adolescents, CIMT is used to assess vascular changes in the presence of CVD risk factors. IN THIS ARTICLE 1 The Essence of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test 2 The relation between carotid intima-media thickness and diseases 3 Who is recommended to take this test? 4 How to calculate cardiovascular risk 5 The Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education (SHAPE) Task Force RELATED ARTICLES To understand what is measured with this test, let’s look at the structure of the coronary artery wall. It consists of three layers. The inner layer is called intima, the middle layer is called media, and the outer one is known as the adventitia. The layers of intima and media lie the deepest. So an increase in their thickness can be a sign of plaque formation. It is the thickness of the intima-media complex of the carotid neck arteries which feed the brain that is usually measured. Clinical Note CIMT screening is easily, safely, reliably, and inexpensively done with ultrasound. The relation between carotid intima-media thickness and diseases Interestingly, some studies have shown that cIMT is strongly and linearly related to age. Up to 25 years, the thickness is not higher than 0.6 mm. But by the age of 45 years, the CMM is on average higher than 0.8 mm. Some other studies have also indicated that CAIMT <0.8 mm is associated with normal healthy individuals, and value of CAIMT at or above 1 mm is associated with atherosclerosis and a significantly increased cardiovascular disease risk in any age group. Meanwhile, in the ESH/ESC hypertension guidelines (2013), carotid IMT > 0.9 mm has been reconfirmed as a marker of asymptomatic organ damage. The American Society of Echography (ASE) task force recommends that IMT ≥ 75th percentile is considered a high cardiovascular risk. Values from the 25th to the 75th percentile are an average cardiovascular risk. And values ≤ 25th percentile are considered low risk. Moreover, the CMM thickness is also associated with insulin resistance in healthy individuals, gallstone disease, the risk of progression of mild cognitive impairment and even Alzheimer’s disease. In other words, the larger CIMT the greater the risk of cardiovascular disease. The process is also associated with aging. However, you should not think that since aging is inevitable, then there is no point in measuring CIMT, since the good news is that recent studies suggest this process can be influenced and even reversed by increasing physical activities and treating it with medications. Who is recommended to take a carotid intima-media thickness test? Despite the many benefits and a wealth of information, screening for IMT has not yet been added to the CVD prevention guidelines. In early 2007, Circulation magazine published a report with the conclusion that IMT of the carotid arteries is a serious factor in the development of stroke and heart attack. Nevertheless, a few months later, the American Preventive Task Force recommended asymptomatic people not to undergo an IMT test regularly. Therefore, the traditional approach involves identifying people at risk of CVD. In this case, if you fall into a risk group (it also matters how great this risk is), then you are recommended to take this test. And vice versa, respectively. Moreover, the problem is that there is no uniform risk assessment system. Therefore, different organizations offer their own options. We’ve already reviewed different Cardiovascular Risk Assessment approaches but let’s take a look at some of them once more. How to calculate cardiovascular risk? As we mentioned above, there is currently no unified risk assessment system. At the same time, there are various risk calculators such as Framingham scores, Reynolds risk scores, ASCVD, SCORE, etc. So, the European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention suggest taking this test to people with moderate cardiovascular risk. Most asymptomatic middle-aged adults fall into this category. You can calculate this risk using the Healsens application, or on your own. At the same time, the NCEP recommends estimating the risk using the Framingham risk score. You can calculate it as well. On the other hand, the American Society of Echocardiography recommended adding the following extra criteria: We wrote more about various risk calculators separately. But what is their importance? Why are we looking at these tools in such detail? The answer is simple. Based on the calculated risk, the doctor will decide whether to initiate preventive treatment. Indeed, as we wrote above, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease can be prevented. However, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and severe disability worldwide. What’s the matter? What’s the problem with the traditional approach? It turned out that traditional methods of preventing A-CVD have proven largely insufficient. Indeed, studies indicate that traditional risk calculations explain only 60-65% of CVD risk. In addition, it was shown that

электронная медицинская карта мобильное приложение

HEALSENS SMART MOBILE HEALTH APP

HEALSENS SMART MOBILE HEALTH APP Read More »

Often, we encounter difficulties in obtaining a comprehensive medical history from hospitals – including analyses, imaging, and treatment information. Electronic health records, prevalent worldwide, often prove ineffective for patients due to data management complexities and the presentation of research findings in conventional lab reports. Recently, new solutions have emerged that provide patients with not only data but also valuable resources. However, given access to such a volume of patient data, why not analyze it? Research conducted by various physicians using diverse calculators and algorithms on electronic health records can significantly benefit patient health preservation. Let’s take a look at the example of the Healsens electronic health record – how it processes patient data to calculate health risks and the functionalities employed to achieve these objectives within the context of mobile health apps. Healsens is designed to gather preventive medicine outcomes and implement them into personalized recommendations. One of its key objectives is assessing health risks, validating them through medical research, and providing preventive care. For individuals, this means having a solution at their fingertips capable of aiding in disease prevention. For physicians, it involves evaluating the risks faced by their patients. Let’s explore together the tools utilized by Healsens: risk calculators, screening plans, analysis of biometric data, tracking medical history, and lifestyle change recommendations. These components collectively elucidate how Healsens operates. Health Plan and Health Screenings The foundation of a preventive approach relies on two main pillars – health screenings and health risk assessments. Your health plan serves as your guide, continually adapting to changes occurring within your body. The main screen of Healsens immediately presents your personalized health plan, unique to each individual. It, much like you, evolves to track changes and respond promptly. If you’re young and healthy, your plan will be concise. As you age, it expands, considering potential bodily changes. Initiated your plan? Explore its contents. Here, blood tests, at-home parameter measurements, health screenings, and questionnaires provide a comprehensive health assessment. Blood tests offer insights into your body, while questionnaires gauge your emotional well-being. These tools are recommended for self-diagnosis. For each examination, whether blood tests, MRI, CT scans, or ultrasound, you’ll discover: IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Health Plan and Health Screenings 2 Assessing your health condition and disease development risks 3 Storage and Analysis of Data in Healsens Electronic Cards 4 Health Screening Sources 5 Surveys 6 Monitoring Well-being and Health Diaries RELATED ARTICLES Upon the initial creation of the plan, it takes into account your age and gender, assuming your overall health. However, as new data becomes available, the plan becomes more personalized. Depending on changes, various analyses or health screenings may be suggested to you, and the app will notify you about the reasons for these changes. The more diverse health factors are known, the better the electronic health record can tailor an individual screening list to maximize health preservation. This encapsulates the essence of a smart electronic medical record and the Healsens mobile app. Preventive medicine is increasingly becoming personalized, hence some screenings are recommended specifically for individuals in at-risk categories. Thus, some screenings may be proposed to you only after an assessment of health risks. It’s worth noting that such a personalized approach not only saves money but also aids in better health issue diagnosis. Consider the facts: according to survey data, in 2018, over 65% of Europeans visited a doctor for preventive check-ups and tests. However, only 17% included age-related screenings, which are a primary cause of early mortality and disability worldwide. Assessing your health condition and disease development risks Assessing health status and risk calculators are the second crucial aspect in maintaining health. Numerous organizations develop their risk calculators, curate lists of risk factors, and collaborate with scientific entities to identify individuals at risk. The primary goal is disease prevention. It’s important to note that most chronic conditions are more effectively treated at early stages, making treatment more efficient, accessible, and usually resulting in fewer complications. For instance, prediabetes is considered a reversible condition, while unfortunately, diabetes remains incurable. Within the Healsens app, the risk assessment process is complemented by a unique approach. Risk calculators, found in the “Risks” section, integrate data from your health plan, considering analysis results and other parameters. As you progress through the health plan, you automatically assess your risks. However, these calculators also consider the user’s profile, displaying only relevant risks. Examples of such individualized approaches can vary. For instance, the cardiovascular risk calculator SCORE 2 is not optimal for individuals under 40 and is specifically designed for European continent residents. This specificity is detailed in the article “Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk.” Users under 40 or residing outside the SCORE 2 assessment zone will not see this calculator. Storage and Analysis of Data in Healsens Electronic Cards Mobile Health Apps: Healsens The Healsens mobile app for electronic medical cards stands out as an exemplary suite of mobile health apps, enabling users to upload and monitor their own medical data. It isn’t tied to a specific clinic, doctor, or country, offering versatility for users globally. The card system is user-friendly: individuals from any part of the world can input their data, tailor it to their needs, and then track its dynamics. However, this approach comes with one drawback: the necessity for manual input of results. Yet, for some countries, medical history synchronizes automatically, which is undoubtedly convenient. Every laboratory test and medical examination represented in numerical format can be visualized as graphs. In addition to standard values provided by laboratories, users have the option to set personal targets to assess the effectiveness of treatment and the pace of achieving optimal indicators. Within the app, laboratory references and user-set targets are displayed as two distinct entities. Why is this so? Laboratories establish reference values, considering, among other factors, the accuracy of their equipment. This leads to different reference values set by different labs, accounting for their individual margins of error. It makes sense to preserve these ranges. The set targets for analyses in Healsens represent

Get the Healsens app

Choose either App Store or the Google Play, then scan the displayed QR code with your phone.