How does the heart work?

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The heart is a muscular organ a little larger than your fist weighing between 7 and 15 ounces (200 to 425 grams). It is responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The average heart beats 100,000 times per day pumping about 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood. The average human heart beating at 72 BPM (beats per minute), will beat approximately 2.5 billion times during a lifetime of 66 years.

The heart is usually situated in the middle of the thorax with the largest part of the heart slightly offset to the left underneath the breastbone or sternum and is surrounded by the lungs. The sac enclosing the heart is known as the pericardium.



The heart consists of the following parts:
Aorta: It is the largest artery and carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Superior Vena Cava: Deoxygenated blood from the upper parts of the body returns to the heart through the superior vena cava.
Inferior Vena Cava: Deoxygenated blood from the lower parts of the body returns to the heart through the inferior vena cava.
Pulmonary Veins: They carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.
Pulmonary Arteries: They carry blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
Right Atrium: It collects deoxygenated blood returning from the body (through the vena cavas) and then forces it into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve.
Right Ventricle: It collects deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and then forces it into the lungs through the pulmonary valve.
Left Atrium: It collects oxygenated blood returning from the lungs and then forces it into the left ventricle through the mitral valve.
Left Ventricle: It is the largest and the strongest chamber in the heart. It pushes blood through the aortic valve and into the body.

THE FUNCTION
The right side of the heart collects de-oxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium and then via the right ventricle pumps it into the lungs so that carbon dioxide can be dropped off and oxygen picked up.

The left side of the heart collects oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium. From the left atrium the blood moves to the left ventricle which pumps it out to supply oxygen to the body.

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Step-by-Step Medical Tourism Guide

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Going overseas for surgical treatment can be overwhelming for anybody. After all, it’s not like going to a hospital down the road where you have been to before and know all the doctors and nurses. To be successful in your pursuit of low cost high quality medical treatment , there is a step by step process that you must follow to gain confidence in your decision, get the right care and save money.

 

STEP 1: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TREND OF MEDICAL TOURISM

Find out why everybody is raving about it and why they are willing to travel half the world for it. Learn from the experience of others . Read news , blogs and articles on the subject. Check out the frequently asked questions that medical tourists have at https://www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/medical-tourism-faq.jsp.

 

STEP 2: RESEARCH ON THE MEDICAL PROCEDURE

Find out all you can about the medical procedure in question – problems it solves, follow-up care needed, physical therapy required, etc. This will help you clear 3 doubts: is the procedure right for your condition; are you the right candidate for the procedure; and should you go abroad for it.

 

STEP 3: FIND OUT IF MEDICAL TOURISM IS WHAT YOU WANT

Medical tourism is not always a good choice for non-emergency medical treatments. Sometimes transportation costs may outweigh the possible savings achievable by going abroad. In some cases, the time required for the surgery abroad may be too much for you to spare. Or, the surgery you need may not be available abroad with a reputable health care provider.

 

STEP 4: LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Some countries have the reputation for top-quality cardiac surgery while others for world-class orthopedics and yet others for cosmetic procedures. So make your selection wisely. Sometimes distance can also play an important role in your decision-making, like in the case of small dental jobs. You should also prepare yourself for culture differences.

 

STEP 5: LEARN ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES AND SURGEONS

When researching on any health care provider try to find answers to the following:

Does the hospital or clinic employ the latest equipments and technology? Do they have expertise in the medical procedure you are seeking? What accreditations and awards do they have? Are the surgeons qualified enough? Where did they receive their education and training?

Answering these questions will give you a fair idea of the standard of quality of the provider.

 

STEP 6: ARRANGE ALL YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS

You will need them at the time of pre-consultation with your overseas surgeon as well as when you go abroad for surgery. Depending upon the condition you are treating, medical records you may need are: X-Rays, X-Ray reports, MRI's, health histories, photographs, immunization record, prescriptions, etc..

 

STEP 7: REQUEST AND COMPARE QUOTES

Costs of health care vary from country to country and provider to provider. So request for quotes and compare them. Your selection of a particular provider and country should be based not just on low cost but also on quality as well as distance.

 

STEP 8: CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE FOR COVERAGE

With the numerous benefits that medical tourism offers, today some insurance companies have medical tourism plans. So, if you are covered under an overseas medical treatment plan, your insurer might cover your medical tourism expenses in full or in part. So check with your health insurance company for coverage details.

 

STEP 9: ACQUIRE YOUR PASSPORT AND VISA

If you and/or your travel companion (if any) do not have a passport, you will need to acquire it. Some countries may require you to have a visa for entry. Check visa requirements and apply for it.

 

STEP 10: PLAN YOUR ITINERARY

When planning your itinerary, allow ample time for recovery. Be prepared to stay longer/shorter than expected. If you have travel or tourism on mind, allow time for that as well.

 

STEP 11: BOOK TICKETS AND ROOMS

Book tickets for yourself and your companion. After your surgery, you can choose to relax at a resort or in a hotel or go traveling in the foreign country. So if possible, make arrangements beforehand.

 

STEP 12: APPLY FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN

Consider purchasing one of the short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Travel insurance gives medical tourists coverage for unforeseen problems, from a canceled flight to a serious illness.

 

STEP 13: APPLY FOR MEDICAL FINANCE LOAN

If you do not have enough money for your medical treatment overseas, you may consider applying for medical loan or dental loan. Loan processing companies provide patient payment plans for plastic surgery, dental procedures, bariatric procedures, dermatology treatments, hospital, etc.

 

STEP 14: PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR RECOVERY

In certain cases, you may need to prepare your home for recovery. For example, if you are seeking affordable hip resurfacing surgery abroad , you may want to rearrange furniture in your house in advance before you leave to aid during the recovery stages.

 

STEP 15: PACK YOUR BAGS AND TAKE THE TRIP

Ensure that you have packed comfortable clothing. Bring some local currency, travelers checks, and one or two major credit cards. Keep important contact information handy. Bring all the required medical records. Remember to carry all your medical reports as well as any medicines in your carry-on luggage. Finally, take your well-planned medical trip and return home happy and healthy!

 

The above step by step medical tourism guide will help you with most aspects of medical tourism. To make your medical travel easy you may want to use a medical tourism provider to help you with all the logistics of medical tourism. Medical tourism providers like Healthbase (http://www.healthbase.com ) connect you with the hospital of your choice while providing many other related valuable services.

 

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, international healthcare facilities and surgeons , and the details of the medical tourism process by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com. Healthbase.com is a medical tourism facilitator committed to providing low-cost high quality medical travel services to the global medical consumer.

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Interview with Maggi Ann Grace - Author of State of the Heart

Here's another interview in the series from another expert in the medical tourism industry. Maggi Ann Grace, the author of State of the Heart, talks of her personal experience in India, her testimony before the US Senate about globalization of healthcare, and other things.

Question: We understand that you developed an interest in medical tourism as a result of exploring for affordable healthcare options outside the United States for Mr. Staab’s heart surgery. What kind of hurdles were you meeting for similar care in the US for him?

They would not work with us on payment, and the cost was astronomical. They preferred we wait until Howard's heart failed and he had to come to the Emergency Room in an ambulance. But he only had a mechanical, fixable problem... not a damaged heart muscle. We didn't have the money up front.

Question: What led you to writing “State of the Heart”?

The flood of questions and pleas for help from potential patients, researchers, Indian citizens, etc. who wanted to know how we did it. I couldn't help as many people one at a time as I thought I could. If I wrote a book about our experience, I thought it might give the personal side of the story… to offer some hope, some comfort to those who venture into this unknown territory.

Question: How was the quality of health care that Mr. Staab received in India? How much did it cost? And how much do you think you saved by going to India?

The quality of care was superb. Total 3 weeks of hospitalization and two surgeries was $6,700. Just a 5-7 day stay for one operation was estimated at $200,000 in the U.S. The entire trip for one month cost us under $10,000.

Question: Wasn’t it kind of risky to take a long flight to India when you had your heart at stake?

Yes, I imagine we didn't realize how risky. That's why it's not for everyone, in any state of health.

Question: You also presented a testimony before the U.S. Senate last summer regarding the globalization of healthcare. What was the reaction of the Senate on this? What problems do you think such a globalization can solve?

I think globalization offers a very viable option for those under- and uninsured. But it is not the way to fix our system. Instead of outsourcing, I think we should be looking at India's private sector as a model of how to streamline ours, make care the priority instead of the bottom line.

Question: You also do social work in India for children affected by the tsunami. How did you develop an interest in such a service?

I stumbled upon an orphanage in Mamallapuram, quite by coincidence. We spent Christmas of 2006 there, and bought them food for their pantry, pillows for the children, and worked with the children with art projects, decorations, etc. Fell in love with the children, and intend to go back. A little bit goes a long way. I guess that is social work. But it was exhilarating and fun!

Question: Would you like to add anything else?

I hope my book offers a personal perspective... that these are real people, highly trained professionals, who will care for you until you are well enough to return home. They are not in a hurry to get you out of the hospital, or to get to the next patient. Anyone considering going to India or any other country should always take a companion to serve as liaison to the medical staff. It is an adventure, and when we are faced with health crises, often times we aren't up for the adventure. I hope we continue to work toward deactivating the power structure of the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies here, so our doctors and nurses can get back to caring for patients.


Thanks, Ms. Grace, for your time and your views. We wish you success with State of the Heart.

Stay tuned to Medical Tourism News and Views for more news, views and videos.

This exclusive interview was brought to you by Healthbase. For more information on medical tourism visit Healthbase.com.


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