Heart Risk Factor and Diagnosis
How do I know if I have heart or circulatory disease?
Some people have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or an irregular heart beat, while others have no symptoms. Fortunately, just having a simple blood test to check your cholesterol, or having your blood pressure checked and discussing your health history with a qualified physician, will give you the information you need to decide whether or not you need further treatment.
More than 2,500 Americans die each day from heart disease, making it the nation’s number one killer. Many are struggling to recover from a heart attack, while others who are at high risk are getting the care they need and making the necessary changes to lower their risks.
What are the risk factors for heart or circulatory disease?
The number of risk factors you have determines your odds of having heart disease. Some risk factors can be controlled, and it has been proven that doing so will reduce the chances of heart or circulatory disease developing or worsening. Risk factors include:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Gender and age: females 55 years or older or past menopause; males 45 years or older
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure (see guidelines)
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol
Why is seeing a cardiologist important?
A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the heart. This is a highly specialized field requiring four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine residency, and two to four years of cardiology fellowship training.
What will a cardiologist do?
At your first visit, the nurse will take your blood pressure. A thorough medical history and physical exam will give the doctor information needed to determine if further tests are required. You may have a blood test to check your cholesterol, and you may have an EKG (electrocardiogram). This simple test graphically records the electrical activity of the heart and can reveal evidence of heart attacks or insufficient blood supply to the heart. Other tests, such as an echocardiogram, electrophysiology study (EPS), exercise stress test, vascular studies, or nuclear imaging test may also be ordered.
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create moving images of the heart. This test is used to assess the pumping function of the heart and can show the doctor if there are problems with the heart valves. It is painless and has no side effects.
What is an electrophysiology study (EPS)?
An EPS evaluates the electrical function of your heart and helps your physician to accurately and reliably diagnose complex rhythm disturbances. It will help your physician to determine the most appropriate treatment option for you.
What is a stress test?
An exercise stress test, or treadmill test, is done to examine the heart’s ability to function under physical stress and exercise. The results help diagnose heart disease, causes of chest pain and coronary artery disease.
What is a nuclear imaging test?
Nuclear medicine is a specialty that has been practiced since the 1940s. A nuclear medicine test carries no greater risk than conventional X-ray procedures. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the cause of certain symptoms you may be experiencing, such as chest pain and/or shortness of breath, and help establish a diagnosis of heart disease.
What are the risks?
There can be some risk involved with cardiac diagnostic procedures, but in most cases, they are relatively minor. Please ask your doctor to discuss the risks and benefits so that you are fully informed about any tests you may have.
What will the results of these tests tell the doctor?
After your exam is completed and the results of any tests that were performed have been reviewed, you and your doctor can determine the best treatment for your diagnosis. Your doctor may tell you that further diagnostic testing, such as cardiac catheterization, is necessary. This is usually done as an outpatient procedure at the hospital.
Your doctor may tell you that lifestyle changes, modifications to diet and exercise are needed. You may have to be put on special medications. You can do plenty to get your heart in shape, such as:
- Improve your eating habits
- Stop smoking
- Be more active
- Take your medications
- Healthy changes will help you feel and look better
It is important to be your own best health advocate. A good way to do that is by committing to routine physical exams and diagnostic tests as often as recommended by your cardiac specialist. Early detection of heart disease is the key to effective treatment.
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