Testing can provide a clearer picture of your Heart Rhythm, Rate and strength
1. Cardiac Calcium Scoring: "Calcium scoring is the number one best
predictor of a future heart attack". Calcified plaque, a major warning
sign of coronary artery disease, the leading cause of heart attacks, shows
up at least 10 years before a heart attack or stroke hits. By catching the
problem early, you can treat it before the buildup narrows arteries so severely
that it triggers a heart attack.
2. Carotid Intimal Medial
Thickness Test: This test can
detect even the earliest stages before blood flow is blocked. Because it's not
an x-ray, it's also helpful for women who are pregnant.
3. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive
Protein Test: Cholesterol plaque
injures blood vessels, triggering inflammation and raising CRP levels in your
blood. That's dangerous because women with high levels of CRP may be up to four
times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. A high CRP is most
dangerous if you also have a waist circumference of more than 35 inches,
indicating the presence of belly fat.
4. Advanced Lipid Profile and
Lipoprotein(a) Test: Sizing up your
particles gives a clearer picture of heart risk than the conventional test:
Having a lot of large particles cuts risk, while small ones raise it. The more
Lp(a) you have, the worse it is too. It makes LDL particles extra sticky, so
they cling to the lining of blood vessels, causing plaque and clots.
5. A1C Blood Glucose Test: This is the simplest way to detect your future risk
of diabetes. This disease puts you at 5 times higher risk of developing heart
disease
6. Genetic Tests:A common variation in the KIF6 gene and two mutations
in the APOE gene raise your heart disease risk. But these tests can help your
doctor better tailor your treatment to head off a heart attack.
7. Stress Echocardiography: Adding Echocardiography to the standard stress test
raises accuracy by as much as 85% for women. It's an excellent way to tell if
your heart disease is severe enough that you could require treatments like a
stent or a bypass.
No comments:
Post a Comment