Heart Care - Basic

Our heart is one of the most important organs that is working non-stop. It pumps blood and oxygen to keep other organs and our body functioning.

When the heart does not get enough care, it may stop functioning, which is deadly for any individual. If we ignore heart health, severe problems like heart blockage, heart failure, heart attacks, and other related issues may crop up. The diseases also become common after you turn 50.

Different types of heart diseases and conditions affect the heart. While any individual can get heart disease, there are certain risk factors. Individuals who eat processed, junk, and unhealthy food containing oil and fat are at high risk. They get fat deposited in the walls of the arteries, which eventually block the blood flow.

Preexisting health conditions, physical inactivity, smoking or alcohol abuse, and unhealthy diet; all these factors can combine together to increase the risk of heart disease. Family history is also responsible for deteriorating cardiovascular health.

You should book a heart checkup package and get assessed for cardiovascular diseases. A basic heart test package consists of the following important tests:

• HS- CRP (High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein): A higher level of C-Reactive protein is associated with heart failure, heart blockage, and stroke. This test can determine the protein level to assess the risk of developing these diseases even before symptoms are present.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): The result of this test reveals the amount of essential blood components that help the doctor determine the complications and overall health of the patient.
• Electrolytes-Serum: Electrolytes in the blood help control the heart’s electrical impulses. The test determines the balance of electrolytes in the body.
• Lipid Profile: Lipid profile plays an essential role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. This test measures triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels to determine the chances of a heart attack or similar issues.

Be it on symptoms or as part of regular health checkups after a certain age, a full heart checkup is essential. Some common signs that indicate an individual may be suffering from heart issues include:

• Tightness of chest
• Irregular heartbeats
• Fatigue
• Swollen legs, ankles, and feet
• Easily running out of breath
• A feeling of discomfort in the body
• Numbness in legs or arms
• Pale lips

One or many symptoms may appear together. The patient should be aware of the symptoms, and if any arise, they should monitor their health closely.

Upon visiting a general practitioner, the doctor may prescribe a basic heart test package and recommend the patient to a cardiologist, depending upon the results. The test can be done at any Apollo 24|7 labs near you.

The doctor may ask the patient to fast for eight to ten or ten to twelve hours before the test. Fasting ensures accurate test results. No other preparation is required for the test. Test reports are available within 72 hours after the test is done. Since medication can affect the test results, the patient must inform the doctor about all the medicines they take.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Amitava Ray, Family Physician, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata.
 

Frequently asked questions

How does a cardiac blood test show heart health problems?

A cardiac blood test can help a healthcare provider acquire a measurement of cardiac biomarkers. These help diagnose issues closely related to irregular blood flow to the heart. Cardiac biomarkers can also help determine any risks of heart diseases in an individual or help maintain heart health for those already diagnosed with one.

Does my family history of heart health affect my own?

Heredity does play a vital role in one's chances of having heart problems. These issues can include high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and heart attacks. In fact, one also has a higher risk of inheriting rare heart conditions owing to genetics.

What can a cardiac blood test indicate about heart health?

When combined with one's medical and family history, a cardiac blood test can provide vital information about one's possibility of acquiring heart disease.A cardiac test can identify whether or not the heart has been damaged. Others alert one to any severe signs of a heart attack or whether one is at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

What are the various risk factors for heart diseases?

Some of the more common risk factors for heart diseases include diabetes, high blood pressure, genetics, age, cholesterol issues, and obesity. There may also be a variety of lifestyle reasons that could contribute to heart diseases.

What cardiac test can help determine heart diseases?

Haemoglobin test, cholesterol test, and CRP test are some basic cardiac blood tests that can help determine heart diseases. One can opt for these cardiac blood tests through the heart care basic package on Apollo 24/7�s website.

When should one opt for a cardiac blood test?

One should opt for a cardiac test as soon as they spot one of three significant symptoms of declining heart health. Namely, chest pain, breathlessness, and fainting.