How is heart disease detected early? What tests need to be performed? What factors increase the risk of heart disease? Find out the answer after reading this article.
There are many silent heart diseases that are difficult to detect, but heart disease can be detected early, even if it is silent, by performing several tests. Continue reading the following article to learn about the tests that help in early detection of heart disease:
Tests help in early detection of heart disease
There are tests that must be performed for early detection of heart disease, especially if any of the factors that increase the risk of heart disease are present, which include the following:
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrocardiography helps detect if there is an irregular heartbeat, by picking up electrical signals in the heart.
It can be performed at rest or after exercise.
2. Holter monitoring device
It is also known as a Holter monitor, which is a portable device that helps monitor the electrical activity of the heart for a period ranging from 24 to 72 hours, and through it detects irregularities in the heart that the ECG cannot detect.
3. Echocardiogram
This planning enables the doctor to identify the shape and structure of the heart muscle through the use of ultrasound waves.
4. Stress test
The doctor scans the heart after stressing it through exercise or certain medications to see how it responds.
5. Cardiac catheterization
Through cardiac catheterization, the extent of blood flow is diagnosed, and whether there are problems with the valves or blood vessels.
This is done by passing a tube called a catheter through the veins and arteries to the heart, and the chambers of the heart can be stained to see on an X-ray.
6. Cardiac computed tomography (CT scan)
It is one of the imaging methods of the heart that uses X-rays, and helps detect heart problems.
7. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
This examination relies on imaging the heart using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any abnormalities in it.
8. Other tests
In addition to all of the above, there are tests that can be performed periodically to detect heart problems, which include the following:
Check blood pressure readings
Check cholesterol levels.
Body mass index measurement.
Check blood sugar.
Factors that help in early detection of heart disease
There are several factors that indicate an increased risk of heart disease, so it can help in early detection of heart disease.
It is worth noting that some of these factors can be avoided while others are difficult to prevent. These factors include the following:
Age
The risk of heart disease increases with age, and age is an unchangeable factor that increases its risk.
2. Sex
Men are more likely to have heart attacks, and they are also more likely to have them at an early age.
As for women, the chance of developing this condition increases after the menstrual cycle stops.
3. Genetics
Genetics is one of the reasons that increase the probability of heart disease. For example, you find that African Americans are more susceptible to heart disease than Caucasians, and this is attributed to the genetic factor.
4. Cholesterol levels
The level of cholesterol in the blood is one of the factors that affect the increased chance of developing heart disease. Cholesterol is divided into several types, including the following:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Also called bad cholesterol, its excess increases the chance of developing atherosclerosis.
There are many factors that increase blood cholesterol levels, such as: a diet that contains high proportions of saturated fats.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
It is also called good cholesterol, and its deficiency increases the chance of heart disease.
There are factors that increase its decrease, such as
Smoking.
Genetic factor.
Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity.
Triglyceride
These fats are the most common in the body, and their high levels increase the chance of heart attacks and atherosclerosis, especially if they are accompanied by an increase in harmful cholesterol or a decrease in good cholesterol.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes increases the chance of developing heart disease, even if it is controlled, but to a lesser extent.
There are also factors that increase the risk of diabetes, such as obesity, so a healthy diet must be maintained.
6. Obesity
Obesity increases the chance of heart disease, such as
Reducing good cholesterol.
Increase both harmful cholesterol and triglycerides.
Increased chance of developing diabetes and blood pressure.
So it is important to maintain an appropriate and healthy weight.
7. Smoking
Smoking increases the chance of heart disease through several things, which include the following:
Increased blood pressure due to nicotine.
Reducing the level of oxygen in the blood due to the carbon monoxide present in it.
Damage to blood vessels.
It is important to note that the smoker is not the only person at risk of heart disease, but also the passive smoker.
8. High blood pressure
High blood pressure increases the effort of the heart, causing hardening of the arteries and increasing the chance of heart disease.
The effect of high blood pressure on the heart also increases when it is accompanied by any of the following:
Smoking.
High cholesterol.
Obesity.
Diabetes.
