According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one-third of Hispanics in the United States who die from heart diseases were never previously diagnosed with a heart disease.
Identifying a heart disease in a timely manner can make a difference in treatment and prognosis. But how can you identify a heart disease? The first step is to undergo regular check-ups throughout the year. Here are the most common tests with which doctors can identify any heart problems in a timely manner:
- Physical examination: Your doctor will perform a physical examination and take your medical history to look for signs of heart disease.
- Blood tests: These tests can detect elevated levels of certain enzymes that the heart releases when it is damaged.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart and can help your doctor identify irregularities.
- Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to produce images of your heart, allowing your doctor to see its size, shape, and how it is moving.
- Cardiac catheterization: In this procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel to examine the heart and nearby blood vessels.
It is crucial to remember that if you have symptoms of heart disease or risk factors such as a family history, it is essential to talk to your doctor about diagnostic options.
Being informed and leading a healthy lifestyle is very important for keeping a strong and healthy heart. Stay informed, stay healthy.
To learn more about this topic, here are some links to reliable and detailed sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/
- Information on heart diseases from the American Heart Association