Heart screening program is the usual way of identifying risk factors that could lead to heart disease. Once you have identified your risk factors, Understanding and managing them is the best way to prevent heart disease. Heart screening results will help you decide whether you need lifestyle changes or seek more treatment.

Heart Screening.

Initial screening in the heart screen program involves a physician screening for; Cholesterol levels, Blood pressure, Your weight and body mass index (BMI), Fasting blood glucose, Hypertension history and Your family history of cardiovascular disease.

If you have two or more risk factors and are experiencing symptoms such as irregular heartbeats shortness of breath and chest pains, then there is a need for more tests. More comprehensive heart tests include;

· Electrocardiogram

· Echocardiogram

· Exercise stress test

· Calcium scoring

Electrocardiogram.

This test is designed to check your heart’s electrical conduction. This test is necessary if you are experiencing symptoms of heart disease such as palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pains also if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure. This test can also come in handy if you have a family history of heart disease and other risk factors.

Echocardiogram

This test makes use of ultrasound to check the structural aspects of your heart, i.e. the shape and the size of your heart and any abnormalities in either the heart or blood vessels. This test is necessary if you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pains and the doctor thinks the symptoms could be as a result of abnormalities in your heart’s structure.

Exercise stress test.

This test is used to check for any abnormal changes in your heart when performing exercises. This test is necessary when you experience symptoms of heart disease such as shortness of breath, heavy heartbeats and you want to start an exercise program.

Calcium scoring

This is a computed tomography test for the coronary arteries. This is test checks for the buildup of calcium in the walls of the coronary arteries. It will help to determine the risk of coronary disease or blockage. This test is necessary as it helps to identify your risk of a heart attack, heart disease or even stroke. Identifying the risks will enable you to determine the right course of treatment or how to modify your lifestyle to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

These tests are important in the diagnosis of heart disease; however, it is vital that you consult with the doctor to determine which test you should have. If you have a family history for heart disease or risk factors, it is important that you learn about them.