Tests to check your heart health
The number of young people being diagnosed with heart disease has increased in recent years. It has made understanding the status of your heart health paramount in preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases. In this post, we will explore about essential tests that can provide insights into the well-being of your heart.
Common Heart Diseases
Before we explore tests that can help to keep your heart health under check, let us know about the common heart diseases.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): CAD occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow. This can result in chest pain (angina) or heart attacks. Regular heart health assessments can identify risk factors and contribute to the prevention of CAD.
Heart Failure: Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. Causes include hypertension, coronary artery disease, and previous heart attacks. Monitoring heart function through tests helps in early detection and management of heart failure.
Arrhythmias: Irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias can lead to palpitations, dizziness, or fainting. Electrocardiograms and other cardiac tests play a vital role in diagnosing and managing arrhythmias.
Are You at Risk of Heart Disease?
There are several factors that can increase the risk of heart related health issues. Some of them are:
Family History: A family history of heart disease can increase your risk. Knowing your family’s medical history allows for proactive measures and early detection.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to heart disease risk. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can mitigate these risks.
Age and Gender: As age increases, so does the risk of heart disease. Men generally face a higher risk earlier in life, while women’s risk increases after menopause.
Prevention is better than cure
Regular heart health assessments are vital for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding common heart diseases, recognizing risk factors, and undergoing appropriate tests empower individuals to take proactive steps toward maintaining a healthy heart and overall well-being. To make the assessment of heart health easy for you we at health2home have created a cardiac screening package. Our cardiac screening assesses your heart health by testing a range of medical conditions that can impact your heart health in a negative way and pose the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The package includes:
Tmt/echo/cardiogram: An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart’s structure and function. This test can detect abnormalities in heart valves, chambers, and muscle contraction, aiding in the diagnosis of various heart conditions.
Fasting & Post Prandial Blood Glucose (FBS & PPBS): High blood glucose levels can be an indication of diabetes. Diabetes is one of the leading risks for cardiovascular complications.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): CBC is used as a tool to detect CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) since it can diagnose anaemia which is known to induce CHF and create similar symptoms of CHF.
Lipid Profile Test: This blood test measures cholesterol levels, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides. Abnormal lipid levels can contribute to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart disease. Maintaining a healthy lipid profile is crucial for cardiovascular health.
Liver Function Test: Raised values of liver function tests (LFTs) have been correlated with multiple metabolic abnormalities and variably associated with cardiorenal outcomes.
Renal Function Test: When the kidneys become impaired, the hormone system, which regulates blood pressure, goes into overdrive to increase blood supply to the kidneys. The heart then needs to pump against higher pressure in the arteries, and eventually suffers from the increase in workload.
Thyroid Profile: Thyroid hormones modulate every component of the cardiovascular system necessary for normal cardiovascular development and function. When cardiovascular disease is present, thyroid function tests are characteristically indicated to determine if overt thyroid disorders or even subclinical dysfunction exists.
Vitamin D3: Low vitamin D is connected to a greater risk of death in those with heart failure, that’s why our package gives priority to Vitamin D3 test.
Calcium: A calcium scoring test can assist healthcare providers in making treatment decisions for people with borderline risk of heart disease.
Xray chest PA View: A chest X-ray is useful for showing the size and shape of the heart and detecting chest disorders.
Remember that heart disease is largely preventable. Take proactive steps towards ensuring the well-being of your heart by booking an appointment for our cardiac screening checkup package.
