About Dr Sanjev
Specialising in Communication, Family and Care
Currently Dr Sanjev is consulting from rooms in East Ryde & Thornleigh.
Dr Sanjev FRACGP, MBBS/MD (Hon1 USyd), Derm. Cert., BE (Hon1)
Medical Degree - University of Sydney & Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (2009). Subsequently worked at Concord and Canterbury Hospitals for 3 years before pursuing a specialty in Family Medicine.
Dr Sanjev is passionate about innovative technologies in Health including Telehealth, and was incorporating it as part of routine care for his patients well before the pandemic.
Happy healthy heart, Happy life
Being aware of our heart health has grabbed more Australians’ attention recently. Dr Sanjev, a Specialist GP, has a keen interest in heart disease. Early assessment by a GP can be critical in navigating the myriad of tools available to screen for heart disease.
Having an annual full check-up with a GP is imperative to check for early evidence of various diseases including heart disease. Your GP can then begin the process of coordinating a multidisciplinary team to help you achieve optimal health goals. This team may include Dietitians, Cardiologists, Exercise physiologists and/or Physiotherapists. All Australians aged 45-49 who have Medicare are eligible to have Medicare funded health assessments. There is also a heart specific health assessment available for people with certain health conditions that are aged 40 – 49yo.
As you may be aware, the following is something that can help us prevent heart disease:
- Healthy diet – including limiting intake of processed foods, sugar, saturated fats
- Quitting smoking
- Regular physical activity
- Weight loss
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Healthy lifestyle including managing stress
Due to our busy lifestyles, heart disease can still develop and it is important to be picked early. Not all heart disease comes on as chest pain. Other early signs of heart disease can be worsening shortness of breath on exercise, tiredness, elevated blood pressure just to name a few. Hence presenting to a GP with experience in this particular area is important as the heart is subtle.
People with certain heart conditions cannot exercise vigorously. For those not in that category, exercise can be a critical part of heart disease prevention. And that doesn’t mean simply taking a stroll to the shops. The idea is to get the heart rate up and work up a sweat. And the recommendations suggest 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week.
One thing you may have heard is you can get a “CT scan of the heart”. This either refers to a CT Coronary calcium score (Ca score) or CT coronary angiogram (CTCA). Simply put, the Ca score is a non-invasive CT scan that provides a measure of how much calcified plaque is in the heart. This can help work out the risk of heart disease and stroke.
A CTCA is a different modality that actually images the coronary arteries to identify potentially dangerous plaques. Both of these techniques have limitations and must only be used under appropriate circumstances, which your GP must guide you through.
In the media, there has been mention of the use of a specific blood test called the Lipoprotein(a) (abbreviated to Lp(a)). Measuring cholesterol via a blood test is an important part of identifying those that would benefit from early treatment to prevent heart disease. Lp(a) is a specific type of particle that can be measured in a blood test; however it must be reserved for certain populations only, which your GP can advise you on.
Dr Sanjev could guide you through these CT scans and blood tests to identify which options might be best for you.
References:
1. The heart foundation website. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/physical-activity-and-exercise
Blood pressure can be a silent cause of major diseases
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure (BP) refers to the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body.
A blood pressure reading has two numbers:
- Systolic (top number): the pressure when your heart contracts and pumps blood
- Diastolic (bottom number): the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats
Both numbers help your doctor understand how well your cardiovascular system is working.
Keeping Your Blood Pressure in Check
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is very common, but many people don’t realise they have it. Because it often has no obvious symptoms, it can quietly increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease if left untreated.
The good news is that when detected early, high blood pressure can often be managed successfully, sometimes with lifestyle changes alone. When medication is needed, starting treatment early can help prevent more serious complications later.
Your GP can help determine the possible causes and discuss the best way to manage them.
How do I know if I have high blood pressure:
- High blood pressure is often called the “silent condition” because it can cause damage without noticeable symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to have your blood pressure checked.
- For most adults over 18 years old, it is recommended to check your blood pressure at least every two years.
- In some cases, a GP may ask you to monitor your blood pressure at home using a validated monitor and keep a 5–7 day blood pressure diary.
This can provide a clearer picture of your usual blood pressure levels.
Heart health checks
Most GPs offer a range of services to help you stay on top of your cardiovascular health, including:
- Routine blood pressure checks
- Medicare-funded Heart Health Checks for eligible patients
- Personalised cardiovascular risk assessments
- Lifestyle advice and support
- Ongoing monitoring and medication management if required
If you are 45 years or older (or 30 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) and have no history of heart disease, you may be eligible for a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check.
This 20-minute appointment assesses your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years and helps identify steps you can take to reduce your risk.
That "simple script"
You may have heard that you can obtain "simple scripts" such as antibiotics for infections from your local pharmacist without needing a Doctor's prescription. The Australian Medical Association is opposed to this proposal from the NSW state government. A Specialist GP can take a targeted history based on years of experience in diagnostics, differential diagnosis and treatment; then examine the patient on an examination bed; and come up with a treatment plan and safety net. A Specialist GP works in conjunction with a good Pharmacist.
ON THE DAY appointments are available for ailments such as Urinary tract infections with Dr Sanjev to achieve an optimal treatment plan.
Professor Robson (AMA) states:
“We know from the Queensland trial that it did not relieve pressure on emergency departments, but instead resulted in women waiting longer for treatment for conditions that are easily mistaken for UTIs, including pregnancy, pre-cancerous conditions, and sexually transmitted infections that can lead to infertility.”
Full article here: https://www.ama.com.au/media/pharmacist-prescribing-dangerous-proposition-which-wont-fix-workforce-issue
Skin, summer and Santa
Here in Australia, protecting the biggest organ in our body - skin - is not only essential but can be fun.
Here are some skinny tips:
- Wear closely woven clothing to cover up - such as a light-weight long skirt, long sleeved shirt or long trousers.
- Be aware of clothing labels that give its UPF (ultravoilet protection factor). Sun blocking clothing can be quite effective.
- Wear a broad brimmed hat.
- Check the kids are doing their Sunsmart routine!
- Choose and wear appropriate sunscreen - depending on your skin, the best sunscreen to use can vary. Consult Dr Sanjev or your local pharmacist to help you choose. Certain skin conditions warrant certain sunscreens.
- Shade is your friend - and if you need, take an umbrella with you.
- Consider getting tinted windows on the car, especially if you drive a lot
- If your house gets a lot of harsh sun during the middle of the day, consider tinting your windows or using a UV barrier
- Enquire about skin checks with Dr Sanjev done at his rooms.