World Heart Day: Get these tests done to prevent cardiac diseases

Heart health has become a pressing concern, especially with the alarming rise in cardiac issues among younger adults. An inactive lifestyle is often cited as a significant contributor to this trend. Therefore, it is crucial to undergo regular heart tests to detect potential problems early and initiate timely treatment.

Regular heart tests or coronary comprehensive cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment are not just for the elderly or those with a family history of heart disease. They are a proactive measure for everyone, particularly the younger generation, to ensure optimal heart health.

Experts suggest that the right time to get a heart screening done is as early as 20 years old. Following which, regular tests should be conducted every 2 to 4 years. A number of tests are done during a heart check-up.

These tests help identify potential risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythms, which could lead to serious conditions like heart disease or stroke, if left unchecked.

Dr Vidya Suratkal, Cardiologist at Lilavati Hospital shared the following types of tests you should get done to prevent heart disease.

Blood Pressure Measurement: Regular monitoring of your blood pressure can help identify hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease. High blood pressure can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

Cholesterol tests: A lipid panel measures cholesterol levels, including HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): In this test, the electrical signals of the heart are recorded. It generates a graph of the voltage versus the electrical activity of the heart. In this test, electrodes are placed on the skin. The sensors attached to the skin detect the electric signals produced by the heart every time it beats.

Coronary angiogram: In a coronary angiogram, X-ray imaging is used to see the blood vessels of the heart. This is usually done to check for a blockage which might be restricting the flow of blood to the heart. A coronary angiogram should come as the last test after a CT scan of the heart, as a coronary angiogram is the gold standard for examining the coronary arteries to detect blockages.

Stress tests: These tests assess how your heart responds to physical stress, typically on a treadmill. They can help diagnose coronary artery disease and determine your exercise tolerance.

Echocardiogram: In this ultrasound test, the structure of the heart is checked. It can diagnose several heart-related complications like cardiomyopathy and valve disease. This type of testing does not use radiation.

Cardiac CT or MRI: These imaging tests provide detailed images of the heart and can identify problems like blocked arteries or structural issues.