Cardiac screenings are vital for detecting potential heart issues. This article outlines key tests to ensure optimal heart health. Timely screening, early diagnosis, and treatment can save lives.

In today’s fast-paced world, stress and hectic lifestyles can negatively impact heart health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, angina, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, and heart failure. Regular monitoring of heart health is crucial to prevent these conditions. As World Heart Day 2024 approaches on September 29, Dr. Pankaj Pohekar, a Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon at AIMS Hospital, emphasizes the importance of undergoing essential tests such as an echocardiogram (ECG), stress test, lipid test, and regular blood pressure checks. These tests offer valuable insights to help individuals take proactive measures to maintain their heart health.

Key Heart Health Tests:

1. Monitor Your Blood Pressure
   High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, angina, and arrhythmia. Checking your blood pressure measures the force of blood against your artery walls. You can easily monitor it at home using a BP machine.
2. Lipid Test
   This test measures fats in your blood, including bad cholesterol (LDL) and good cholesterol (HDL). High LDL levels can cause plaque buildup in your arteries, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
   An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity, detecting issues like irregular heartbeats, enlarged heart, or severe heart damage. It helps identify early signs of heart problems for timely intervention.
4. Stress Test
   A stress test evaluates heart performance under physical exertion. Patients run on a treadmill while doctors monitor heart activity. This test can reveal hidden heart conditions that may not appear during rest.

Maintaining heart health through regular screenings is essential to prevent serious cardiovascular diseases and ensure long-term well-being.