Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is often called the “silent killer” because sufferers may be asymptomatic for years until it is too late. You may think that if there are no symptoms, then it shouldn’t cause worry, but you would be wrong. Many forms of CVD can cause irreparable internal damage that can lead to life-threatening conditions and even death.
Today almost half of all Americans have some form of heart disease. With such large numbers, it is important to do regular screening to detect CVD so that you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself.
There are several methods, both non-invasive and invasive, for detecting CVD. Read on for some of the most common methods.
Blood Tests
Should your doctor suspect that you are at risk for heart disease, a simple blood test can check many risk factors that could lead to CVD. Your doctor may want to do blood work after checking your heart rate and blood pressure and asking about any physical symptoms or medical history.
Blood tests can check the levels of specific materials in your bloodstream. Your doctor will likely look for the following:
- Total cholesterol: How much cholesterol is in your blood.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: This is considered “bad” cholesterol that can build up in your arteries.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: This is “good” cholesterol that can clear arteries.
- Triglycerides: This is a type of fat in the blood that is associated with diabetes, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.
- Blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin: This is the level of sugar in the blood and can be a marker for diabetes.
- C-reactive protein: Proteins such as Apolipoprotein A1 and B are markers of inflammation that could lead to heart disease.
- Troponin-T: This is a protein that is released into the bloodstream during damage caused to the heart muscle. Traces often mean the person suffered a heart attack.
Electrocardiogram
An EKG/ECG is a non-invasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity. Sensors are placed on the patient’s chest, wrists, and ankles while a machine records the rhythm of the heart’s beating. The test also shows the strength and timing of the heart’s electrical signals, which would show any weaknesses or irregularities in the heartbeat. This is useful for detecting heart attacks, angina, and arrhythmias.
While an EKG test can be performed in a few minutes at the doctor’s office, sometimes patients might undergo long-term EKG testing for up to 72 hours. In this case, patients wear a Holter monitor, which is a portable EKG device that continuously monitors heart rhythm to find problems that may not have shown up in the EKG exam at the doctor’s office.
Stress Tests
A stress test is another type of EKG exam that tests the heart while the patient is exercising. Often a patient is required to walk or run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while the EKG sensors record the heart’s rhythm. This will reveal whether the patient’s heart receives enough oxygen and blood flow in an elevated state. It is often conducted on people experiencing chest pains or other symptoms of CVD.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to produce a live image of the heart to determine its size, dilation, or thickness, any blood clots, fluid, pressure, or functional problems. Non-invasive and painless, an echocardiogram helps to determine heart health and to reveal defects. It’s often used to monitor hearts after a heart attack and to check the hearts of babies before birth.
X-ray
Chest X-rays create images of the tissues and bones in and around the heart to reveal abnormalities or fluid. Often chest X-rays are performed on patients who may have sustained an injury to the chest.
While this is a non-invasive test, X-rays expose patients to radiation. Small amounts of radiation are most likely harmless, but it is not recommended to do too many X-ray scans that would add up to larger amounts of radiation exposure.
CT Scan
A CT scan is another X-ray method to create detailed images of the heart. Prior to the test, a special dye is injected into the bloodstream. This dye shows up in the CT scan images and can help doctors analyze the heart’s structure and related blood vessels.
Often patients are given medication before the scan to slow down the heart rate and improve the quality of pictures. Due to the dye, medication, and radiation exposure, there are several risks with this CVD detection method.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to capture images inside the body. MRIs show a cross-section of the body, so they can be very useful to clarify the results of other types of tests. MRIs can be used to detect heart defects, damage, failure, and inflammation.
While MRIs are considered risk-free, they cannot be performed on people who have pacemakers or any other sorts of metal implants. Any implants would interfere with the magnets used in MRIs.
Cardiac Catheterization
If the previously mentioned tests do not provide conclusive results, doctors may recommend more invasive testing methods such as cardiac catheterization. In this test, a tube is inserted through a blood vessel in an arm, leg, or neck. The tube is moved toward the heart to determine any blockages or abnormalities.
During the test, doctors may use dye to improve images of blood flow. Images are generally developed via X-rays and can show blood vessels and valves to detect any problems.
MyCardioGuard Screening
MyCardioGuard has developed transformative screening technology that can detect CVD risks at the earliest stages. Using an algorithm built on 15 years of medical research, this non-invasive screening method assesses arterial beds and other predictive conditions.
The screening does not use radiation or any other materials that risk patients’ health, meaning it can be used repeatedly and on patients who may not be fit for screening via other methods.
If you suspect you may be at risk for CVD, MyCardioGuard’s Heart Screen should be your first stop. It is simpler, quicker, and more accurate than other available screening methods and can help you and your doctor plan for protecting yourself from CVD. Learn more about MyCardioGuard on our website