How to Detect Heart Disease
Heart disease, which includes coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease and heart failure, is still the number one cause of death in the United States. Thankfully, modern medicine has developed a number of diagnostic tools that can help patients and doctors detect heart disease early.
- Visit a cardiologist for testing. Heart doctors use a number of tests to detect heart disease, including coronary angiography exams, electrocardiograms and cardiac CT scans. In some cases, the doctor will order a stress test, which measures the heart's response to exercise.
- Measure your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure monitor. Patients diagnosed with hypertension should take their blood pressure reading at least once a day. This practice will help you detect significant increases or decreases in blood pressure.
- Have your cholesterol checked regularly. At least once per year, visit your family physician for cholesterol testing. High cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis.
- Watch for symptoms of diabetes. Know the common signs of diabetes, such as an increase in urination, cognitive problems or excessive thirst. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can cause heart problems over the long-term, but medications and changes in diet are able to help patients with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels steady.
- Pay attention to your body's signals. Symptoms of heart disease include breathlessness, unexplained chest pain, fatigue, dizziness and feelings of numbness in the extremities. Severe chest pain, perspiration, confusion or nausea should be treated as an emergency, especially in those with diagnosed heart problems.