“Necessity is the mother of invention,”  

Telehealth is a new revolution in the healthcare facility. It deals with providing all the medical needs using the help of technology. Telehealth provides the bridge between the patient and the doctor where distance is a critical factor that separates them. As a result, using digital communications technology like video conferencing, audio call, skype, facetime makes it an easy and convenient option to go for. 

Introduction

Telehealth has the potential to overcome all the discrepancies occurring in traditional practices. In other words, it has the capability of providing a variety of telehealth services at the comfort of your home. However, the coronavirus pandemic proves to be a boon for this sector. Studies show that there is rapid growth in the use of teleconsultation services. As a result, this kind of rapid growth means hospitals are no longer only bricks and mortars operation, but a facility where health services can be reached to every individual 24/7 from any place at any moment. According to Mordor Intelligence, experts expect the telehealth industry to be worth $36 billion in 2021.

How can Telehealth contribute to the field of cardiology?

Beyond the convenience of patients and doctors, telehealth services allow better health care facilities. It provides better patient care by timely exchanging feedback from both, the consumer and provider. It can also forward the patient reports to specialists around the world. Therefore, it results in better relationships between consumer and provider. However, in recent times, specialists around the globe are rapidly shifting their approach towards virtual visits. This ultimately results in better health care given to the patient. One such example is cardiology. Cardiologists, in particular, are finding new ways to provide facilities to a patient suffering from cardiovascular disorders and other chronic conditions.  

As the number of patients with cardiovascular disease is growing exponentially the demand for specialists is also growing. Virtual assistance for cardiology services facilitates better health care. They do this with 24/7 doctors on call, cost-effective, and a more convenient way to treat and diagnose the disease. In particular, the main application of telehealth services in cardiology is to provide telemonitoring of patients. They can do this with patients affected by chronic heart failure or hypertension, patients implanted with cardiac devices, and consultation in case of emergency.

How can telehealth services help in Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure or chronic heart failure means the inability of the Heart to pump enough blood through the body to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen. In other words, a patient with such a condition needs regular consultation and an in-person visit to the doctor. With the help of telehealth services, they subject the patient to remote monitoring. It provides the patient with the devices like tablets. Healthcare providers connect them to an electrocardiogram, blood pressure monitoring devices, and weighing scales. This ultimately results in sending the patient daily data to the authorized professional.

As a result, the analysis of data like body weight, blood pressure, heart rate, analysis of heart rhythm, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), self-rated health status change is monitored regularly by an assigned health care provider. In case of emergency, the critical care unit functions to mentor properly. Also, it helps to arrange all the necessary care in the hospital.

Use of Cardiac devices with Telehealth

The use of cardiac devices like a pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has seen significant growth in cardiac implantation, which ultimately results in a frequent visit to the hospital. However, the use of telehealth services like remote monitoring provides an alternative way to such a visit. The patient need not worry about maintaining such devices on their own and can remain hassle-free. Remote monitoring of such devices allows early detection of a change in heart rhythm, device-related problems, and detection of symptoms, therefore, results in reducing unnecessary visits. The data of their device is transmitted through remote monitoring and necessary measures are taken by the assigned specialist for the patient. In the case of device reprogramming, change in therapy or emergency admission preventive measures could be taken before the time for the patient.

Conclusion

By using the telehealth services, one can take treatment as per their availability. Also, one can take treatment from the comfort of their homes. The caregivers need not take off from the work. Using such service reduces the unnecessary travel and makes it more cost-effective. The availability of doctors on call 24/7 makes it a more convenient option in case of emergency. In the case of cardiovascular patients, frequent monitoring has to be done on a regular interval of time such a service proves to be a boon.