What is a Cardiac Health Check-Up?

Mild chest pain or occasional twinges in the chest can serve as early indicators of a distressed heart. Unfortunately, these initial symptoms are often disregarded. Consequently, the necessity for bypass surgery may arise to potentially save the patient's life. However, the success of such a surgical intervention is not guaranteed, and additionally, it presents a considerable financial burden. Tragically, in certain instances, patients may succumb to sudden cardiac arrest. 

In India, a significant number of heart patients, typically in the age group of 40-69 years, face the threat of premature death attributed to sudden cardiac arrest, expensive heart treatment options, or surgery failure. However, a regular investment in cardiac health check-ups can be a pivotal step in safeguarding not only your own life but also the lives of your family members. 

A heart health check-up will aid you in getting the right treatment before it is too late. Moreover, embracing a healthier lifestyle by avoiding sedentary habits, steering clear of processed foods, and moderating or eliminating the consumption of alcohol can contribute substantially to heart health. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the significance of cardiac health check-ups.

Why is a Heart Check-up Important?

Do you feel you are on the verge of the risk of heart disease due to genetic predisposition, high cholesterol level, diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid? If yes, you cannot be ignorant about your heart health. A preventive, complete heart check-up can help you in numerous ways. Read on to learn about the benefits of cardiac check up tests: 

Early Detection of the Issue

The heart check up tests list includes all vital heart screening tests. With the help of a full heart check up, a doctor can monitor heart health and detect potential issues on time. These issues can be from mild to severe. Early detection of these symptoms starts cardiac treatment procedures on time. 

Reduce Future Medical Costs

Investing in a heart health package can significantly reduce future medical costs. Early detection of signs of disease can help prevent serious health issues from escalating, sparing you from the financial burden of expensive interventions like bypass surgery or other intricate heart treatments. So, don’t postpone a check-up only because of the heart check up price. Evaluate the long-term benefits. 

Get the Best Treatment 

As per the report's analysis of your cardiovascular check up, you can then discuss the best possible course of action with your doctor. You can opt for allopathy, AYUSH, or naturopathy treatment as per your wish. This will enhance your life’s longevity. 

Live Your Life accordingly

The EKG medical test provides a graphical representation of your heart's condition. In case you find any issues, consider it a motivating factor to implement lifestyle changes. Incorporating habits such as daily walks covering several miles and adopting a nutritious diet can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in the future. 

Types of Heart Check-up Tests

Your heart screening package will usually include some common and vital heart tests to detect the heart problem at its first or second stage. Go through the following vital tests that should be included in the heart check-up package: 

1. Weight and BMI: A weight and BMI check is performed to measure your body mass index and waist circumference. This test is generally included in most health check-up packages. 

2. Blood Pressure Test: Hypertension is most commonly seen in middle aged people and young adults. Therefore, this test is quite essential if you are 25 or above. 

3. Blood Cholesterol Test: Get your cholesterol levels checked at least once every 2 to 5 years. Try including it in your heart check-up to-do list if you are above 20. 

4. Blood Glucose Test: An elevated level of blood sugar can increase the chances of cardiac diseases. It should be essentially checked once every 3 years, especially if you are above 40 years.

Common Cardiac Tests

In case your healthcare consultant detects any abnormality in any of the above-mentioned tests, you will be asked to prepare for a more detailed cardiac check-up. Go over the following heart check-up test list: 

Electrocardiography Test

An electrocardiography test, most commonly known as an ECG test, is a non-invasive test option. Under this test, small and sticky electrodes operated by the ECG machine are hooked up to your chest. This machine detects abnormal heart rhythms and coronary artery disease.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography, often conducted post-exercise or following the administration of specific medications, is designed to assess how the heart responds to stress. This test is done after exercise or after taking certain medications to analyse how the heart responds to stress. Here, an ultrasound machine presents sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart. Echocardiography serves as a valuable tool in detecting and understanding potential cardiac issues, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of heart health.

Cardiac CT Scan

In this cardiovascular check-up, you are positioned in a CT Scan machine, and electrodes are attached to your chest. This test is performed to get clear images of the heart. Your healthcare professional finds out the plaque build-up (if any) in your coronary arteries through the images.   

Coronary Angiography 

A small and flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the artery. This is usually done through the groin, neck, or arm. Then, your healthcare professional observes the X-ray images to detect blocked or narrow arteries.

Nuclear Stress Test

This is an imaging test in which your healthcare professional will inject a small radioactive dye into your bloodstream. This test is performed to see how the heart functions while you are resting or after exercise.

Exercise Stress Test

This medical test EKG, is done to see how your heart responds during exercise. In this test, electrodes operated by the ECG machine are hooked up to your chest. Then, you are told to pedal on a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill. 

When Should You Get a Heart Check-up? 

Your healthcare consultant may recommend cardiac check-up tests on the basis of the following factors: 

• Risk of genetic predisposition to heart disease
• Overweight or obesity
• Atrial fibrillation
• Hypertension
• High level of cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Alcohol or smoking addiction.

How to Maintain Your Heart Health? 

To proactively mitigate the risk of heart disease throughout your lifetime, you should follow the following heart health tips:

• To manage the risk of obesity or overweight effectively, aim to walk approximately 6000 steps or for about 30 to 40 minutes daily.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks, tobacco, and smoking
• Incorporate nutrient-rich and low-calorie diets such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your daily routine
• Restrict the intake of fatty foods and high-calorie sugar food items
• Exercise regularly as per your heart health
• Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water
• Try avoiding stress as far as possible 
• Rest is essential. Therefore, take a rest when you feel exhausted to re-energise yourself. 
• Follow up on the cardiac check up package if your doctor has recommended you on the basis of your health conditions. 

Over to You

Simply put, paying the heart check up test price is way more affordable than the expenses related to the surgeries like bypass or other heart treatments. Furthermore, undergoing regular heart check-ups lowers the risk of future cardiovascular disease and the untimely loss of life. So, if you want to flatten the curve and maintain a healthy life, you can quickly do an online search for heart check up near me. 

Care Health Insurance has designed some special plans that can match your and your family’s heart health needs. You should surely consider them as they can help alleviate the financial burden of the full heart check up price without the added stress of significant out-of-pocket expenses. If you are someone who has had some cardiac issues in the past, Care Heart can be an ideal choice. Available as both an individual and family floater, this comprehensive plan allows you to keep a regular check on your heart’s health, and that too on a cashless basis!

>> Also Read: Common Medical Checkups by Health Insurance Plan

Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.