Heart Disease is a deadly serious condition. Not only should everyone get tests for heart disease regularly, but everyone also deserves to be informed about the kinds of tests that are available. Heart disease the leading cause of death in both men and women in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is responsible for about 25% of the deaths in the United States each year. Get your heart tested with Dr. Atif Sohail at Heart & Sleep Clinics of America in Arlington, TX.
What to Expect from Heart Disease Tests
Before you take various heart tests your doctor may ask questions about your personal and family medical history, including known history of heart disease or if you smoke. Usually, you will take a type of electrocardiogram which measures your heart's electric pulses. Your doctor may also measure your lipid profile which can tell you your cholesterol levels. All of this and more helps determine future plans for further testing and solutions to maintain a healthy heart.
Types of Heart Disease Tests
Lipid Profile
A measurement of your total cholesterol level including low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. Managing a healthy cholesterol level prevents heart disease.
Electrocardiogram
Also known as an EKG, an electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity in your heart. Your doctor looks for specific patterns on the EKG to search for abnormalities such as an abnormal rhythm, or a heart attack.
Stress Tests
Stress tests are used to measure how the heart performs under physical stress. The patient will raise their heart rate with exercise on a treadmill and an EKG or similar device measure the heart activity.
Event Recorder
An event recorder is a portable monitor that measures heart activity for several weeks. This type of recorder is used for patients with infrequent symptoms.
Other types of Heart Disease Tests Include:
- Nuclear cardiac stress test
- X-ray
- MRI
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
To find out more information on heart disease and heart disease testing, call your Arlington, TX, Heart & Sleep Clinics of America at (817) 419-7220. Dr. Sohail will walk with you through every heart disease test to ensure your heart is always safe and healthy.