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The Importance of Heart Screenings: When and Why

 


The demand of our work routines and our lifestyles prevent us from regularly checking the health of our hearts. One of the most effective and simple ways of preventing heart disease is understanding and managing the risk factors involved. A regular check-up with your doctor is necessary for most people. A few vital statistics of the human body can assist the doctor in determining if any changes if lifestyle are required or if any potential treatment is required. Generally, most heart health screenings begin later in life, but certain screening test should start as early as age 20. These screenings are crucial because they help our physician identify any growing signs or symptoms of heart diseases early on.

Dr Ranjit Jagtap Clinic has one of the best Cardiology Clinic in the city Pune and has a variety of tests and screening facilities to detect any abnormalities of the heart. Dr Ranjit Jagtap recommend that cardiac screenings that are a part of comprehensive medical check-ups be done annually. 

It is easy to ignore some symptoms of heart disease like discomfort in the chest, a slow or racing heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, or swelling in the feet. Notifying the Dr Ranjit Jagtap about the symptoms is essential so that he can potentially save your life. Routine screenings are part of preventative healthcare measures and are even more important if there is a family history involved.

Cardiologists  Dr Ranjit Jagtap  recommend routine screening tests even if there is no family history of heart disease. Tests such as blood pressure and cholesterol should be initiated in young adults and blood glucose monitoring should be started in most people by the age of 40. The screenings might be recommended earlier if you are predisposed to certain risk factors or if there is a strong family history of heart disease. 

 

What are some of the common heart screening tests that doctor would suggest?

Electrocardiography (ECG)

This is one of the most popular tests done with a machine and sensors that are attached to your chest. The machine records the electrical activity of the heart and calculates its rhythm and rate. Tests such as this can reveal evidence of a heart attack that has already occurred or one that is in progress. The patterns of the ECG report can help identify the area of the heart that is damaged and how severe the damage is.

Exercise cardiac stress test (Stress ECG)

More commonly called a stress ECG, this test measures the heart's ability to react to external stress in a controlled clinical environment. It is completed in around 15 minutes. The test can be used to detect coronary artery diseases and cardiovascular risks. An ECG will be recorded while you are exercising on a treadmill, stationary bike, or any other exercise machine, and it will be traced at certain points in order to determine the effects of increasing stress on the heart.

Echocardiography

This test is performed using an ultrasound machine which creates moving images of the heart. During this examination, it will be possible to determine whether there are any problems with the heart's pumping function as well as evaluate its valves. An echocardiogram will provide information on blood clots in the heart.

Cardiac CT scan

With this test, a CT scanner and electrodes are attached to your chest to record your heart's electrical activity. The CT scanner provides images of the heart, which can be used to assess the amount of plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.

Coronary CT Angiography (CTA)

This test is similar to a cardiac CT scan, but uses a contrast dye that is injected into the bloodstream to help visualize plaque buildup. 

 

Cardiologists Dr. Ranjit Jagtap recommend some tips to maintain good heart health. A change in eating habits is the surest way to prevent heart disease. Controlling your portion size is extremely important so that your diet and heart are in good shape. You should consume more low-calorie and nutrient-rich foods and fewer high-calorie and high-sodium processed refined fast foods. The consumption of unhealthy fats such as saturated and trans fats should be kept at a minimum to lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Limiting the amount of salt in the diet is also essential to a heart-healthy diet. Keeping your stress levels under control is the most important lifestyle change that can keep your heart healthy in the long run.

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