In the United States, one person passes away every 37 seconds from heart disease. Annually, we lose about 647,000 people (1 in 4 deaths) to cardiovascular complications due to this disease. Unfortunately, heart disease remains the number 1 killer of men and women globally. One solution to cardiovascular disease is preventative cardiology. Generations before us may have only visited their physicians when they were sick, but nowadays, preventive healthcare is on the rise and extremely important. The heart health experts of AMS Cardiology are sharing why routine heart check-ups with your doctor are important not only for the heart, but for overall health.
Benefits of Regular Check-ups
Many heart conditions and their risk factors can go undetected without regular heart check-ups and health screenings. Preventative healthcare can help you and your doctors stay on top of your health and find potential health issues before they develop into something more serious. With regular heart check-ups, you can expect to:
- Detect conditions or diseases early
- Reduce your chances of becoming ill
- Get the right treatment quickly
- Improve overall health
- Create a picture of your health over time
- Reduce overall healthcare costs
- Receive the most current medical information and up-to-date technologies and practices
- Create a better relationship with your doctor
What to Expect During Your Check-up
Even if you don’t have a current cardiovascular condition, regular check-ups are a great way to detect potential risk factors and prevent several heart conditions. During your heart screening, your doctor can check for these risk factors by performing a series of tests and then create the best treatment options for you. Treatment options can be anything from lifestyle changes to medications. At your check-up you can expect:
- Blood pressure test – a blood pressure test can be performed to detect high blood pressure. High blood pressure puts a higher strain on your heart and can cause severe damage to your arteries. If left untreated, blood clots can develop, which can lead to a heart attack or heart failure.
- Cholesterol test – beginning in your 20’s, you should begin to have your cholesterol checked once every 4-5 years. Knowing your numbers is essential—high cholesterol has no symptoms, so you won’t know you’re at risk until you are tested.
- Blood glucose test – this type of test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. A blood glucose test can also help diagnose diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can cause heart disease and stroke.
Routine heart check-ups and screenings give you the best chance of receiving the right treatment quickly and diagnosing underlying medical conditions promptly. By scheduling these health services regularly, you can be assured you are taking the correct steps to a longer, healthier life.
While heart check-ups and health screenings may seem daunting, the good news is that AMS Cardiology is here for you. We provide the best comprehensive and preventative cardiology care to our patients to reduce your risk of heart disease. Our goal is to reduce the number of heart disease cases and put an end to it being the number 1 killer of men and women. Our doctors always deliver skilled and personalized care to each one of our patients and we will work with you to develop customized and individualized plans so you can always feel your best. Contact us today at 215-517-1000.
