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Feb 3, 2020 · 1. Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This common test allows your physician to see how your heart is beating and how blood is moving through your heart. Images from an echocardiogram are used to identify various abnormalities in the heart muscle and valves.
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Many of these tests are imaging tests that provide still or moving pictures of your heart. Cardiac blood pool scan. Makes pictures of the heart. Shows how well your heart is pumping blood to your body. Checks the size of heart chambers. Checks for problems with blood flow or structure of the heart. Cardiac CT scan.
- Overview
- Types of tests
- List of heart checkup tests and screening questions
- When should you get a heart checkup?
- How much do heart checkups cost?
- How to check your heart health at home
- Tips for maintaining heart health
- The takeaway
During a heart health checkup, your doctor will talk to you about how you’re feeling and offer you screening tests to assess your cardiovascular health and risk factors. Your cardiovascular system includes your heart and blood vessels.
As part of the checkup, they’ll look for any signs of heart disease and consider your risk for developing heart disease in the future. For example, risk factors include:
•high blood pressure
•high blood cholesterol
•high blood sugar
•overweight and obesity
Routine heart health screenings are an important part of preventive healthcare for adults.
Starting around age 20, or in some cases earlier, your doctor will likely advise you to get several screening tests on a regular basis.
If the results of your screening tests show signs of heart disease or a high risk of developing heart disease, your doctor may order additional tests.
Family history can determine when the testing should start and how frequently it should be done.
A routine heart health checkup doesn’t typically involve complicated tests. To monitor the health of your heart, your doctor should routinely:
•assess your weight and BMI
•measure your blood pressure
•order blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels
•ask about your diet, physical activity, and smoking history
•ask about your personal and family medical history
The AHA recommends the following schedule for heart health screenings:
•Weight and BMI: during regular annual checkups
•Blood pressure tests: at least once every 2 years, starting by age 20
•Blood cholesterol tests: at least once every 4 to 6 years, starting by age 20
•Blood glucose tests: at least once every 3 years, typically starting at age 40 to 45
Some people should get heart health screenings at a younger age or more often than others.
You may be able to access heart health screening tests at low or no cost, depending on where you live and your insurance coverage.
If you don’t have health insurance, federal health centers offer many essential health services regardless of ability to pay. You can see if there’s a qualified health center near you using their search tool.
Some pharmacies also offer free heart health screenings in February, National Heart Health Month.
If you have health insurance, you may have no cost for basic heart checkup tests. Under the Affordable Care Act, many health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of certain preventive health screenings with no copayment, coinsurance, or deductible fee.
Depending on your health insurance coverage, age, and health history, you may be able to get blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar screenings for free.
If your doctor orders additional tests to evaluate your heart health, you may have charges for those tests. Some or all of the cost of the tests may be covered by your health insurance.
Depending on your health history, your doctor might encourage you to monitor your own heart health and risk factors between checkups.
For example, they might advise you to monitor one or more of the following:
•your body weight or BMI, using a scale
•your blood pressure, using a home blood pressure monitor
•your blood sugar levels, using a glucose monitor
•your heart rate and rhythm, using a wearable fitness tracker, smartwatch, or other device
To help lower your risk for heart disease, it’s important to practice a healthy lifestyle. For example:
•Avoid smoking tobacco.
•Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
•Eat a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
•Limit your consumption of trans fat, saturated fat, and sugar-sweetened foods and drinks.
•Take steps to manage your weight.
To monitor your heart health, your doctor may check your weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels on a regular basis.
They will also ask you about your medical history and lifestyle habits, which affect your chances of developing heart disease.
Many other tests are also available to evaluate your heart’s function and health, if your doctor thinks you might have developed heart disease.
Talk to your doctor to learn which screenings and tests you should get.
- Heather Grey
Sep 21, 2022 · Summary. Doctors use heart tests to diagnose or monitor different heart conditions. They include blood tests, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and coronary angiograms. Doctors use these tests ...
- Amanda Barrell
When would I need blood tests to determine heart disease risk? Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests to determine your risk of heart disease such as coronary artery disease (CAD) if you: Eat an unhealthy diet. Have a family history of CAD (especially getting diagnosed at age 50 or younger). Have obesity or excess weight.
Feb 22, 2024 · An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a noninvasive and painless way to quickly detect heart problems and monitor the heart health of people of all ages. You may have an ECG if you have symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, confusion, heart palpitations or shortness of breath. Small, adhesive electrodes are attached to your chest, arms and ...
People also ask
Do you need a heart test if you have heart problems?
Can a blood test tell if you have heart disease?
Why do doctors use heart tests?
When should a heart test be done?
Should I get a heart screening if I have no heart disease?
The tests can also help your doctor: Check your heart's electrical system. Check your pacemaker or other implanted device. See if your heart can handle more exercise. Check how well your heart valves are working. Look for problems with the structure of your heart. Even if you feel healthy, your doctor may suggest a heart test.
