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Suggest Health Checkup To Be Done When At High Risk Of Getting Heart Disease
Question: What health checkup to go for if at high risk for heart disease(family history)?
I am 36, and physically active on moderate basis, once in a while I play squash and 2-3 times walk in a week.
I see regular health checkups are available but they are mostly run of the mill and confidence on few of the test reports are very low.
Please suggest.
I am 36, and physically active on moderate basis, once in a while I play squash and 2-3 times walk in a week.
I see regular health checkups are available but they are mostly run of the mill and confidence on few of the test reports are very low.
Please suggest.
Brief Answer:
Start with Stress ECG
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
For function, if the tests appear to be ‘run of the mill’, you ought to opt for run on the mill! – TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG.
If there is any suggestion, we repeat it with thallium isotope to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)
For structure, the gold standard is Coronary Angiography – but it is INVASIVE, has a definite but minimal risk and hence should not be done unless there are compelling indications.
CT angiography can reveal the coronary anatomy. Calcium score can give a clue to the atherosclerosis . It involves small but definite radiation. PET scans may be done, if there are any doubts…
Cardiac MRI is in evaluation and is available in some sophisticated tertiary care centres.
Tests like Carotid Intima-Medial thickness(CIMT) / ankle brachial pressure Index (ABPI) – are non-invasive and give an idea of the basic disease (vessel wall thickening - atherosclerosis)
In summary – basic tests and follow up of Blood pressure, sugar & cholesterol (good and bad) / yearly treadmill ECG – are enough. CIMT & ABPI may be done once in a few years.
Avoiding tobacco & alcohol/ regular jogging / avoiding tension (relaxation) – form the cornerstone of care
Discuss with your Cardiologist / Primary Care Provider
Take care
Good luck
Start with Stress ECG
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
For function, if the tests appear to be ‘run of the mill’, you ought to opt for run on the mill! – TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG.
If there is any suggestion, we repeat it with thallium isotope to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)
For structure, the gold standard is Coronary Angiography – but it is INVASIVE, has a definite but minimal risk and hence should not be done unless there are compelling indications.
CT angiography can reveal the coronary anatomy. Calcium score can give a clue to the atherosclerosis . It involves small but definite radiation. PET scans may be done, if there are any doubts…
Cardiac MRI is in evaluation and is available in some sophisticated tertiary care centres.
Tests like Carotid Intima-Medial thickness(CIMT) / ankle brachial pressure Index (ABPI) – are non-invasive and give an idea of the basic disease (vessel wall thickening - atherosclerosis)
In summary – basic tests and follow up of Blood pressure, sugar & cholesterol (good and bad) / yearly treadmill ECG – are enough. CIMT & ABPI may be done once in a few years.
Avoiding tobacco & alcohol/ regular jogging / avoiding tension (relaxation) – form the cornerstone of care
Discuss with your Cardiologist / Primary Care Provider
Take care
Good luck
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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