Doctors often emphasize that it is prudent to have regular health checkups. This is especially important if you suffer from lifestyle issues that affect your heart. Heart diseases are clearly on the rise today, and it is important to prioritize health and manage symptoms.
Dr Ruchi Shah, an interventional cardiologist, Masina Hospital, Mumbai, said that since Indians die of heart-related issues 15 to 20 years earlier than their western and Japanese counterparts, it is extremely important to be vigilant, especially after the pandemic.
“We have seen a sudden increase in the number of sudden cardiac arrests and deaths, even among young individuals,” the doctor said, adding, “It is extremely important that we understand and recognize whether we are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.” Is. or coronary artery disease.
How do we do this?
“We must first understand that lipid plaques begin to develop inside our heart arteries as early as adolescence. Prevention should start from the first day of life. This means that, at the beginning of the first day, you need to consume ghee, sugar, salt. And one should have a diet low in oil. This lifestyle should be followed throughout life,” advised Dr. Shah.
Experts said that early detection is as good as treatment. “The Lipid Association of India recommends that you should have your lipid profile checked once at age 18, and once every three to five years thereafter.”
When should you check your blood pressure?
According to the doctor, it is wise to have your pulse and blood pressure checked at every routine clinical visit with the doctor – regardless of age; He said that at least once in six to 12 months get your blood pressure checked.
It is wise to have your pulse and blood pressure checked – regardless of age – with every routine clinical visit with a doctor; Get your blood pressure checked at least once every six to 12 months. (Photo: Getty/Thinkstock)
The doctor said that regular heart evaluations should be done from the age of 40. “You should have a baseline ECG, after which, if you have symptoms, or your treating doctor suggests, you can have tests such as a 2D echo, a stress test. CT to evaluate for coronary artery disease Coronary angiography or coronary angiogram.”
for heart patients
If you’ve already had angioplasty or bypass surgery, you need to see your doctor at least once in six months, he recommended. “If you have a heart pumping function of less than 40 percent — that is, an ejection fraction of less than or equal to 40 percent — you should contact your doctor at least once every two to three months.”
Dr Shah said that a heart patient can lead a normal life, and can do all routine activities like climbing stairs, swimming, jogging or playing sports. But, before indulging in such activities, they should take permission from the doctor.
What Is Involved in a Routine Cardiovascular Evaluation?
“It will only involve a basic history, risk factor assessment, whether you have high blood pressure, diabetes, whether you smoke, drink, do drugs, your lifestyle, sleeping patterns, and ECG HbA1c which shows glycosylated hemoglobin. Which reflects sugar levels. Over the past three to four months,” the doctor said, adding that the lipid profile – a test to find out if you have high cholesterol levels – is also recommended once Is.
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