About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Comprehensive Heart Checkup: Essential Tests and Examinations
Introduction
A heart checkup is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health, diagnosing potential conditions early, and preventing serious heart diseases. Regular screening is especially important for individuals with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, or a family history of heart disease.
Key Tests in a Heart Checkup
1. Blood Pressure Measurement
- Checks for hypertension (high blood pressure), a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Normal blood pressure: Below 120/80 mmHg.
2. Cholesterol and Lipid Profile
- Measures levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides.
- High LDL and low HDL can indicate an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Records the electrical activity of the heart.
- Helps detect arrhythmias, previous heart attacks, and other abnormalities.
4. Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)
- Uses sound waves to create an image of your heart's structure and function.
- Assesses heart valve problems, cardiomyopathy, and congenital defects.
5. Stress Test (Exercise or Pharmacological)
- Evaluates how your heart responds to physical exertion.
- Helps diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD).
6. Cardiac CT or MRI (Advanced Imaging)
- Provides detailed images of heart structures and blood vessels.
- Used for detecting blockages, heart muscle diseases, or congenital anomalies.
7. Blood Tests for Heart Health
- Troponin Test: Detects heart tissue damage (useful in diagnosing heart attacks).
- BNP Test: Assesses heart failure.
- C-reactive Protein (CRP): Indicates inflammation linked to heart disease risk.
8. Coronary Angiography (Invasive Test, If Needed)
- Uses X-rays and contrast dye to visualize blockages in coronary arteries.
- Recommended for patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease.
Who Should Get a Heart Checkup?
- Individuals above 40 years of age.
- People with risk factors: high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes.
- Those experiencing symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, or palpitations.
- Anyone with a family history of heart disease.
Conclusion
Regular heart checkups can detect early signs of heart disease and allow for prompt interventions. If you have risk factors or symptoms, consult your doctor for a personalized screening plan.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association: Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/leading-cardiologists-reveal-new-heart-disease-risk-calculator
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000677
2. European Society of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Prevention Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-Events/Preventive-Cardiology
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.