Heart Disease Awareness: When and Why You Should Get Screened Now | Global News Avenue

Do you know what the number one death in the United States is? According to the CDC, This is a heart diseaseThis can cause deaths than cancer, accidents and common 19. In the 2025 American Heart Association report, the organization reveals cardiovascular disease in which someone dies Once every 34 seconds. With that in mind, when was the last time you checked your heart?

February is American Heart Month, just in time for Valentine’s Day, which means it’s a good time to schedule your body for the year to allow your doctor to screen your heart. Learning more about your heart can help you make lifestyle adjustments to prevent the risk of heart disease, the American Silent Killer.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a common term once Describe several conditions This can affect the heart, including but not limited to arrhythmia, valve disease, and congenital heart defects. The most common heart disease is coronary artery disease, which can damage blood vessels, block blood flow to the heart, and increase your risk of suffering from it. Heart disease.

Heart disease is often undiagnosed until symptoms of heart attack or heart failure occur. Routine heart disease screening is essential to help you get ahead of many health fears.

What causes heart disease?

Heart disease can occur at any age. in the case of Congenital heart diseaseit may occur at birth. Other times, it has been developing all its life Coronary artery diseasewith the accumulation of plaques, gradually developed. The cause of heart disease will vary according to the type of condition. Let’s focus on coronary heart disease because it is the most common experience for people.

this Causes of coronary heart disease It is genetics, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Essentially, your heart has to work harder because things are in a difficult situation and put more stress on the organs than necessary. Your heart can only run under excessive stress for so long.

The CDC almost Half of Americans There is at least one risk factor for heart disease. This is why you should do regular screenings. Now, when will we do our research?

Tip: Before symptoms appear shortness of breath, chest pressure or weakness.

When should you screen for heart disease?

this American Heart Association Routine screening is recommended to start at the age of 20. This sounds early, but heart disease can also affect young people. By starting regular screenings at the age of 20, your doctor can establish a baseline for the body and monitor changes as you age. At this stage, it is important even if you do not consider high risks (see below). Monitor Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and lifestyle factors pass family history, physical examinations and blood tests. Routine screening for people with lower risk should be as follows:

• blood pressure: If your blood pressure is below 120/80mm Hg, you should be tested annually or if your blood pressure is higher, you should be performed more frequently.
• cholesterol: Adults at ordinary risk should be tested for cholesterol every four to six years. Those with higher risk of heart disease and stroke may need to be tested more frequently.
• blood sugar: This should be done at least every three years starting at 45 years.
• Lifestyle factors: With each doctor’s visit, factors such as physical exercise, diet and smoking will be discussed.

High risk factors require more frequent monitoring

Regular screening for all patients should begin at the age of 20 and then be performed at intervals. However, if you have a high risk of cardiovascular disease, you may be screened more frequently. Risk factors Includes high blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking, a family history of heart disease, your age and lifestyle.

If you are at greater risk, you may need to have additional cardiovascular tests, especially if you have symptoms related to heart disease, such as irregular heart disease.

Other tests can include:

• Electrocardiogram: To measure the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart, you may need an electrocardiogram or an electrocardiogram. This is a painless, non-invasive method to monitor heart function. It only requires a few sticky electrodes. Your doctor may ask you to wear a portable ECG Holter Monitor A few days for more complete pictures.
• Ultrasound heart movement: Sometimes your doctor may want to see the structure of your heart. Echocardiography involves an ultrasound machine to evaluate how your heart is pumped.
• Stress test: Cardiac stress test is basically an electrocardiogram for exercise. Your doctor will connect the electrodes to your chest, and your doctor will walk, run or pedal as your doctor monitors the reaction of your heart. You may also be asked to breathe for a few more minutes.
• Computed cardiac tomography: This non-invasive test uses X-rays to create 3D images of the heart. It can help doctors find the presence and percentage of stenosis in coronary arteries and blood vessels.
• Peripheral angiography: X-rays and contrast dyes help your doctor find narrow or blocked artery areas that provide blood to the legs, feet or arms and hands.

Practical Tips for Preventing Heart Disease

Heart disease is severe, but it is also largely preventable and treatable, especially when regularly screened. You have more control over your heart health than you think. Try to add these daily habits to your life Reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the main causes of heart disease. Quitting smoking is one of the best things to reduce your chances of heart disease.
• move: Exercise is the oldest advice There is a reason in the book. To maintain heart health, aim for 150 minutes Ease Exercise every week, only 30 minutes a day, lasting for five days.
• Monitor your health at home: Have a home Heart rate,,,,, blood pressure and Glucose Monitoralso Fitness tracker, This can help you monitor health between doctor visits.
• Fine-tune diet: Eat Nourish your body It is crucial for heart health. Avoid as many foods as possible with saturated and trans fat. Find opportunities in your diet to make healthy swaps. Always choose nutritious meals including vegetables and whole grains.

Haven’t read for too long?

Don’t just take a “good enough” approach to your health. The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body, and it is sometimes difficult to know when to get sick. That’s why heart health screening started so early. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the most common diseases, and unfortunately, they significantly increase your risk of heart disease.

Regular screening and check-ups are one of the best tools to determine health and help you make changes to reduce your chances of heart disease.