According to an AHA, every year more than 17 million people die due to heart diseases. Cardiovascular diseases do not develop overnight that’s why proper screening can help lessen the rate. The goal of the screening tests is to lower the fatality rate by detecting symptoms before they arise or worsen.
Cardiovascular screening may be beneficial for those who are suffering particular signs and symptoms, such as chest discomfort and difficulty breathing, as long as they are not related to a heart attack (myocardial infarction), which is a life-threatening emergency.
Benefits of Cardiovascular Screening Visit
Going to hospitals or doctors is unusual practice unless we are seriously ill. However, with the rise in life-threatening conditions suddenly with heart disease as the principal cause, a proactive approach to heart healthcare is necessary.
Because prevention is better than cure and most of the time heart emergencies do not give time to the person to do the cure. Regular heart screenings and cardiac tests can help detect silent killers like hypertension, high cholesterol, and other heart diseases at an early stage.
Cardiovascular screening includes different medical tests and assessments to check the heart’s health and check if it is developing signs of any disease. Screening can prevent emergencies like a heart attack. Following are a few benefits of cardiovascular screening:
Early detection of symptoms that can lead to fatal diseases
Cardiac testing and heart screenings, especially if you have a family history of cardiac disease and/or diabetes, can aid in the early detection and prevention of difficulties, as well as avert any resulting heart damage. Early discovery of certain disorders, when most ailments are easier to treat, can be aided by heart exams. These tests, for example, can identify plaque in the arteries supplying blood to the heart, which can cause heart attacks.
Assessment of heart health
Cardiovascular screening evaluates your risk of cardiovascular disease by conducting blood tests, such as cholesterol screening, performing a physical, and examining your personal and family medical history. Your doctor will be able to calculate your risk of heart disease with the help of a heart screening. EBCT heart scans are up to ten times more accurate than established risk factors in detecting heart disease.
Cardiovascular Screening Visit risk factor
People with particular risk factors benefit the most from heart screenings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are the three main risk factors for heart disease, and over half of all Americans have at least one of these three. Diabetes, obesity, poor nutrition, inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption are all risk factors.
Gives you a sense of peace
Heart screening might provide you confidence that you’re on the right track to a healthy heart, or it can motivate you to take more aggressive measures. Peace of mind is key to a healthy and happy life and knowing your health can help you achieve that.
Procedure for cardiovascular screening test
It is a very common question that do we need to visit a heart specialist for cardiovascular screening? The answer is no. Because most of the time general doctors can do proper screening to check heart’s health and check risk factors.
Patients over the age of 65 may be referred to a geriatrician, while those who are obese may seek advice from nutrition, diet, or weight loss specialists. Certain professionals, such as a radiologist or a technician, may perform some of the tests.
All of the above-mentioned medical specialists, on the other hand, may collaborate to gain a better understanding of the patient’s cardiovascular health. The general test includes:
- BMI
- Blood pressure
- Blood glucose test
- Cholesterol
- Blood sugar test
- CT scan
- EKG
- Other tests to check different risk factors
At what age you can go for cardiovascular screening?
All screens are advised for anyone aged 20 and older, especially those with the risk factors listed above, except a blood sugar test, which should be done when a patient is around 45 years old.
Based on the screening results, the patient may be referred to a cardiovascular expert, who then aids the patient in treating or managing the symptoms or illness, offering guidelines to reduce or limit the risks, and helping the patient cope with the condition or symptoms.
This test can assist determine your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or heart disease if you are at medium risk for heart disease. The results may be used by your doctor to alter your treatment strategy or propose lifestyle changes.
While these tests can aid in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease, they are not appropriate for everyone. To determine if and when you should get these screenings, speak with your cardiologist or primary care physician.
What you should keep in mind before the cardiovascular screening?
A cardiovascular checkup does not necessitate any specific preparation. But following are a few things you should keep in mind.
Do not smoke before the screening
Continue to take your regular medications, but refrain from drinking coffee or smoking for four hours before the assessment. Because smoking or drugs can affect the screening results so most doctors recommend not to smoke.
Wear loose clothes
To keep yourself easy and comfortable wear loose clothes. For the procedure, you may need to change into a gown.
Avoid wearing metal objects
Metal artifacts, such as jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures, and hairpins, can cause CT pictures and other treatments to be distorted. Leave them at home or take them off before the exam. Metal-wired bras must be removed by women. As a result, it is preferable to avoid such situations before the screening. It will help you save time while also keeping you comfy.
Make sure you’re not pregnant
Screening and tests should be avoided during pregnancy so make sure to check your pregnancy status beforehand. Or you can tell your doctor to do so to avoid inconvenience later on. Both you and your unborn kid become patients if you become ill while pregnant.
Your doctor must first establish your medical needs and any health concerns that may be harming you and your baby before beginning therapy.
References:
- https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/ct_calscoring
- https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/screening-cardiac%3fgoogle=amp
- https://www.docdoc.com/medical-information/procedures/cardiovascular-screening-visit
