The Timely Diagnosis is Important
There are many diseases in our system which we do not even know that we are already suffering from them because they show their symptoms in due course. The symptoms of some of the diseases and their typical initial onset on our system take their own course of time. But have you ever thought what would happen to you or someone you might know suffering from some of these diseases but did not know or missed the crucial time period in which those could be diagnosed or even treated? Doctors suggest having a regular check up according to your age group when you are more prone to some of those diseases.
A person is more likely or liable to suffer from heart related problem during his forties than he is in twenties that is not a fixed rule though. To avoid heart related problems one must have Cholesterol screening test regularly starting from the age of 20 and then repeat the test every 5 years but if you find a irregularity with your test report it’s better to go for the repeat test every 6 months or as advised by your doctor. One should also go for regular check up if he has a history in his family since heredity plays a major role in such diseases.
What is Cholesterol Test?
There are two type of cholesterol the HDL, (High Density Lipoproteins and LDL, (Low density Lipoproteins) which are molecules made of proteins and fat. The Cholesterol screen test gives you a report about both LDL and HDL. The increased HDL speaks well about your heart’s health while the increased LDL puts you at a danger of prospective heart patient. But these are not the only tests you should go through to know your hearts health.
Go For Blood Pressure Measurement
Test for Blood Pressure is simple checkup for primary and secondary tests carried out within minutes which affects most of us due to dietary habits and other tension related problems so it is not a sure sign of heart related problems. The children these days also suffer from high or low blood pressure due to lack of exercises bad food habits, bad life style and tension at school or home. Doctors suggest going for blood pressure checkup starting from the age of 15 and go for it at least once every year in case the results are normal but if you see any irregularity in your BP result you must go for BP test as many times your doctor suggests.
Electrocardiography Test
There is another method of checking your heart called electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a test that finds out your heart related problems with the help of an electronic device testing your heart’s electrical activities. An ECG measurement records heart's activity in form of graph on a paper. The ECG machine records every activity including every spike and dip in the tracings process during the entire duration you remain connected to device through plugs.
The subject is technical but you should know the basics of the ECG which in short is your heart which is also known as muscular pump having four chambers two upper known as Atria and two lower chambers known as ventricles. The ECG checkup is suggested if the doctors find out other heart related problems in a patient including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a person suffering from these symptoms is a smoker or suffering from diabetes, having a history of disease in heredity.
Ultrasound Test
We know that the sound is made up of several different frequency waves some of them are of very high frequency and some are low. The frequency with very high range is not even audible to human ear and known as ultrasound. Ultra sound is mainly used for testing issues with soft tissues but some doctors use it in initial tests for the study and treatment of heart disorders (cardiology).
Doppler Electrocardiography
Echo Cardiogram also called Echo Doppler ultrasound provides your doctor the complete information about your heart including its size and shape and the conditions of your heart's chambers and valves along with their working conditions and capability. The Echo test also let the doctor learn about the way your blood flows is working with the help of multiple images of chambers and valves of the heart.
Precautions
Now that you have gone through all the tests, well almost and if you're found having any of the symptoms which might put you in the category of heart disease or with risk of congestive heart failure, it's time to keep a closer watch at the changes in your body on a more regular basis. Keep a close watch on symptoms which relate directly or indirectly with heart diseases. These symptoms may vary from person to person but some of them are common which include dizziness, short of breath, feeling of fainting, and irregular heartbeats.
I don't know how many of heart patients are aware about the fact that there is no perfect cure for heart related problems which is a cruel fact but one has to live with it for rest of his life. However, hearing or reading that that should not discourage you as you can do a lot to live a healthier life than what you have been living taking certain precautionary measures.
1- Smoking is one of the biggest No- NO for persons having a heart related risk or suffering from heart disease. Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of a heart attack to a great extent. Some top heart specialists even claim reducing chance of a heart attack to almost nil if a person gives up smoking.
2- Whatever engages your body in a healthy movement is considered a heart friendly activity whether it's your routing morning walk, light jogging or dance classes (please confirm with your doctor before going in for a rigorous workout).
3- Did you notice people laughing out loud in groups, yes, laughter helps relieve some of the stress which cause the damages to your heart and brain. Laughing is one of the best therapies which keep your heart and brain healthy and fit.
4- We, the Indians are the masters of yoga and practicing yoga makes you healthy and also keeps us fit and relaxed, because yoga is one of the best ways of fighting with stress. Yoga is also helpful in keeping you positive which is good for a healthy heart.
5- I know this one is hard in practical life especially for professionals but the fact that sitting for long periods is a sure way of harm you physically as well bad for your heart so it's better to find ways to take as many brakes as you possibly can and walk for a while.
6- Keep a constant watch on your cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar, which is absolutely must for good heart health. You should know the importance of these vital tests and take them at a regular interval.
7- No one can deny the importance of intake of fat which can reduce risk by more than 50% in some cases provided your calorie count remains in prescribed limit. You must know what you eat has a calorie level that will suit your heart's health.
8- I feel this one is not important to repeat as we have read it time and again that your first meal of the day is important. You should not skip it even if you skip your lunch. After all this is what you eat after the gap of 10-12 hours so you deserve a healthy breakfast consisting of fruits, protein, fat and vegetable and milk etc.
9- We the Indians are not much aware about the benefit green tea but drinking green (or black) tea can improve arterial health.
10- Anger is no good for your mental health and what is bad for your mental health is bad for your heart so whenever you feel really angry go for a walk for few minutes and you will find yourself extremely relaxed.