The heart is a muscular organ that lies in the left side of your chest and pumps blood that carries oxygen and nutrients to different parts of your body. It is a fist-sized organ in between lungs. To stay alive, you need to keep your heart healthy. Any ignorance in care and treatment can lead you to have several heart problems such as stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery problems. A regular heart screen test in Noida or your locality can help you stay aware of your heart health and treat a problem at the earliest stage.
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When should you have regular heart health check-ups?
You should take heart health check-ups as you notice any issues in your heart. However, you should do it regularly if you are over 40. You should go for a heart screening test when you:
- Have a family history of heart diseases
- Are overweight
- Have a stressful life
- Have had previous heart issues
Benefits of regular heart health tests/why should have regular heart health check-ups?
Many heart diseases can remain undetected due to non-visibility of significant signs. You may have sudden issues in your heart. Through regular check-ups, you can:
- Detect heart diseases or conditions early
- Lower your chances of having serious heart problems
- Get the right and effective treatment soon
- Enhance your overall health
- Create a picture of your health over time
- Make your overall healthcare costs come down
- Receive the most advanced medical information and latest technologies and practices
- Facilitate in building a better relationship with your doctor
Types of heart health tests
Routine heart health check-up is an essential part of your life as you cross 40 or you have a history of heart diseases in your family. Your routine heart check-ups are as follows:
- Blood pressure tests – You should have it to know the measure of your high blood pressure that can keep you on a strain or damage your arteries. If ignored or undetected, you might have blood clot build-up that may lead you to have heart failure.
- Cholesterol tests – After 20, you should have cholesterol tests after each 4-5 years. Knowing the number is crucial for you, as high cholesterol has no visible symptoms and you may not know you are at a higher risk of it.
- Blood glucose tests – It is basically to measure the amount of sugar test in your blood and helps you to detect diabetes that can cause many serious health issues if it is undetected and treated.
- BMI tests – It helps you know whether you are underweight or overweight. With it, you can try to control your body weight and make efforts to have a healthy body weight.
Other heart tests
If you notice any symptoms or your doctor suspects you having heart problems, you may need additional tests to monitor your heart health. Here are some probable tests your doctor may recommend you:
- Exercise cardiac stress test
- Cardiac CT scan for calcium scoring
- Electrocardiography (ECG, EKG)
- Coronary CT angiography (CTA)
- Echocardiography
- Nuclear stress test
- Coronary catheter angiography
What will your doctor ask you when you consult him/her for advice?
You should immediately rush to a doctor when you notice any issues in your heart. During the consultation, your doctor can ask for:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood tests for knowing sugar and cholesterol levels
- Lifestyle you have, especially workouts, drinking, and smoking
- Family medical background to know the presence of heart diseases
- Changes you have noticed
How can you monitor your heart health at your home?
Your doctor may advise you to monitor your heart health at your home. And for this, the doctor will suggest to do the following things:
- BMI monitoring with the use of scale
- Your blood pressure tracking by using a home blood pressure monitoring kit
- Blood glucose test with a glucose monitor
- Know heart rate and rhythm with a wearable like smartwatch or fitness tracker
Conclusion
Monitoring heart health is crucial for you. You can do it well by having an idea about why it is important, types of heart tests, and allied things. Your doctor can help you a lot through his/her valuable advice and treatment & prevention suggestions. You will keep your heart healthy and fit.
