Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Health Check

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) refer to a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure. Early detection through regular health checks can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.

Who Should Get a CVD Health Check?

A CVD health check is recommended for the following individuals: - Adults over 40 years old. - People with a family history of heart disease. - Individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol. - Smokers and people with a sedentary lifestyle.

Key Components of a CVD Health Check

1. Medical History Review: Evaluation of personal and family history of heart disease.
2. Physical Examination: Includes measuring blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and heart rate.
3. Blood Tests:
   • Lipid profile (cholesterol levels: LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides)
   • Blood glucose levels (to check for diabetes)
4. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Detects heart rhythm abnormalities.
5. Echocardiogram (If Needed): Assesses heart function and structure.
6. Stress Test (If Indicated): Evaluates heart response to physical activity.
7. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scan (If Necessary): Detects early signs of artery calcification.

Lifestyle and Risk Factor Assessment

In addition to medical tests, a health check includes: - Dietary evaluation: Identifying unhealthy eating habits. - Physical activity assessment: Determining lifestyle risks. - Smoking and alcohol use analysis: Addressing contributing factors to CVD.

Prevention and Management

• Maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
• Engage in moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week.
• Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
• Take prescribed medications as directed by your doctor.

Conclusion

Getting a regular CVD health check helps detect and manage heart disease early, reducing complications. Consult your healthcare provider to determine how often you should get checked based on your individual risk factors.

Source recommendations

1. American Heart Association Guidelines

1. https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
2. https://www.heart.org/
3. https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
4. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
5. https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
2. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
3. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
5. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678