What Is a Heart Risk Assessment?

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Doctors near you reveal in detail what is a heart risk assessment

Heart disease or cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a universal term used to describe a range of disorders affecting one’s heart. There are a group of tests and health factors that estimate your chances of having a heart attack or a stroke within the next five years.

These risk assessment methods continue to get better. And have been refined to indicate the degree of the risk: borderline, intermediate, or high risk.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Many people may not be aware of the risk of developing this disease. This is especially because you can not feel the risk factors. The good news is that these factors are preventable through regular check-ups.

Heart risk assessment is a process, not a calculation. It takes its course to build your risk profile based on the following factors:

Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Cholesterol levels
Smoking History
Family History
Blood Pressure
Medical History

Why Should You Get a Heart Risk Assessment?

It’s essential to have your heart tested. When you have a heart attack or another cardiovascular occurrence, it is not always that everyone will present signs of chest pain or discomfort. As per the AHA, it is recommended to go for regular checkups for your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, after you’re 20.

What Happens in Heart Risk Assessment?

When going for a heart checkup, these are some of the factors your doctor will screen for. The following include:

Family History

If your family has heart disease, you’re at greater risk of developing one based on genetic factors. Your doctor might ask a few questions about your family’s history of any heart disease. This may cover immediate or extended family members.

Cholesterol

The cholesterol screening specialist will measure the amount of cholesterol in your body during a heart checkup. A Lipid Panel Screening, which includes testing three lipids in your blood, will do this.

Your low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides will be tested in this method of screening. When you have high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), low levels of HDL (good cholesterol), or high levels of triglycerides, you’re at greater risk for heart disease.

Sugar levels (Diabetes)

Look for the level of blood sugar, better known as blood glucose levels, as well. This is to screen for diabetes, another leading risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

Your doctor may ask you not to eat for approximately 8 hours before the success of this test.

Blood Pressure

Doctors can also take a look at the amount of pressure placed by the blood on the arterial walls of your heart. This is what is known as blood pressure.

And since there are no signs of high blood pressure in specific individuals, this examination will help determine more than expected. A significant risk factor for heart failure is high blood pressure.

Conclusion

You have an essential role to play in your heart’s health. Over time, what you eat, drink, do, and how you live increases or decreases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease can often be developing silently; therefore it is vital to get yourself checked periodically.

Something to be optimistic about is that some factors at risk can be prevented. Work closely with your doctor by booking an appointment at Optimamedicalaz.

Knowing your risk can allow you to make positive lifestyle changes.