A heart screening, also known as a cardiac screening, is a set of tests performed by your cardiologist to look for any potential heart-related issues. Screening is often performed before the beginning of symptoms and is intended to detect any potential cardiac abnormalities.
Tests Related to Heart Screening
Your cardiologist does a pre-screening clinical evaluation, which involves a thorough review of your medical history and a physical examination. Blood tests are also used to assess kidney and liver function, cholesterol levels, and diabetes risk. Other typical cardiac screening tests include:
This is a basic, non-invasive test that measures your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. Sensors are placed on the skin to detect the electrical impulses generated by the heart each time it beats. An ECG is frequently used to explore symptoms of a potential heart problem and can identify arrhythmias as well as the presence of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, or cardiomyopathy;
An exercise treadmill ECG, or exercise stress test, demonstrates how your heart responds to physical stress. Because activity causes the heart to beat harder and quicker, an exercise cardiac stress test can uncover heart problems that would not be apparent at rest.
The test normally consists of monitoring your heart rate, pressure, and respiration while walking on a treadmill. An exercise cardiac stress test may also be performed to establish whether existing cardiac therapies are effective. It is also used to evaluate the heart before any cardiac surgery;
A coronary calcium score assesses how much-calcified plaque is present in your coronary arteries. A higher score signifies more calcium and an increased risk of heart disease. A score of 100-300 indicates considerable plaque deposition and a reasonably high risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular illness during the following three to five years.
A score of more than 300 indicates a significant risk of serious heart disease and heart attack. Some healthcare providers may also provide a percentile score, which reveals how much calcium you have in comparison to other persons your age and gender;
A CT scan, also known as coronary CT angiography, allows your cardiologist to get precise pictures of your heart and coronary arteries, revealing if your arteries are constricted or clogged.
A CTCA requires some radiation exposure and may be unsafe for pregnant women. The test may entail the use of particular dyes to help blood vessels show up clearly, so inform your healthcare practitioner if you have any allergies or concerns.
Images of the test should be available quickly after your test, allowing your cardiologist to discuss the results with you and advise on appropriate treatment choices;
Transthoracic echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to assess the anatomy and function of the heart, valves, and arteries. This includes placing a probe on the chest. This probe sends sound waves through the chest cavity, which are bounced back (echoes) to produce pictures. This test also allows your cardiologist to track your cardiac problems over time and assess whether there is any structural damage to the heart following a heart attack.
This is not a complete list; your cardiologist may request further diagnostic testing.
How Often Should One Have a Heart Screening?
Simple diagnostics, such as blood pressure readings and cardiovascular risk factor screenings, should begin around age 20, with the majority of tests conducted every 1-2 years.
However, as we age, our chances of getting cardiac problems rise. Men over 40 and women approaching menopause should have more complete cardiac tests at least once a year. It is also indicated if you develop cardiac symptoms or have one or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors:
Heart screening is a preventative procedure, therefore it is best to get it done before symptoms develop. If you are diagnosed with a cardiac issue, you may need to see your cardiologist as frequently as every three months, depending on your situation.