In today’s world, there has been a constant increase in the number of people suffering from various kinds of heart diseases. Hence, it becomes absolutely necessary for anyone to get screened for heart diseases on time. For years, physicians all over the world have used the same stress method for screening for heart diseases. However, recent studies have shown that this method of screening needn’t be always accurate. Also, the chance of this test being less accurate is higher in women than men and this can be attributed to factors like the use of birth control pills and hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle. However, today one needn’t worry about these issues, as there are many other tests which have been developed as alternatives to the basic screening tests. These tests, which provide more accurate results than the basic screening tests, can be availed at all the leading medical centers.
Listed below, are the seven essential and effective screening tests for heart diseases, which will provide you with accurate results.
1. Cardiac Calcium Scoring
Cost : $ 99 to $ 399
Duration: 10 minutes
Working: The patient is attached to some electrodes, that are in turn, connected to an EKG machine and is then made to lie down on an exam table, which slides into a doughnut shaped short tunnel. The patient should hold his breath for 10 to 20 seconds. Here, a CT scanner checks for deposits of calcium, scar tissue and cholesterol, that can be present in your heart tissues.
Required for: This test is needed by those, who are above 50 and also for younger patients, who have a family history of heart diseases.
Benefits: The test helps in the early detection of calcified plaque, which is a major risk factor of coronary heart disease. Early detection of the risk will help the patient to get proper treatment before the arteries are narrowed and a heart attack is triggered.
Results: The results of this test are based on a score developed by Dr. Agatston. A zero score indicates no calcium deposits and also the fact that the patient is free from the risk of heart diseases for the next 5 years. People scoring 400+ face the risk of heart attack within 10 years and those scoring more than 1000 are at the risk of heart attack within a year, in the absence of proper treatment.
2. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Test
Cost: $8
Duration: 5 minutes
Working: This is a blood test which measure the levels of the CRP protein, which is an indicator of inflammation in the body.
Required for: Those above 40
Benefits: The CRP levels can be correlated with the cholesterol deposition and the corresponding inflammation of the arteries. High levels of CRP can also be considered as a risk factor if you have a waist circumference of more than 35 inches. Based on the levels of CRP, adequate treatments can be availed.
Results: Those scoring a CRP level of under 1 mg per liter are included under the low risk category. Those having ranges in between 1 and 3 mg per liter have a average risk, and those with a range above 3 mg per liter can be included under the high risk category.
3. Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness Test
Cost: $150 to $ 500
Duration: 15 minutes
Working: The patient’s neck is smothered with a gel and a technician moves a transducer over the carotid arteries. By this method, the thickness of these arteries, which supply blood to the brain can be measured.
Required for: This kind of test is required by those above 40 and younger patients who have a family history of stroke.
Benefits: By measuring the thickness of carotid arteries, the rate of blood flow to the brain can be evaluated. In case the thickness is beyond the permissible limits, the necessary treatments can be done. This test is also safe for pregnant women.
Results: The results of this test are based on the thickness of the arteries and the corresponding arterial age. Patients having their arterial age 8 more than their actual age are included in the high risk group and should avail immediate treatment to reduce the risks.
4 .A1C Blood Glucose Test.
Cost: $ 50
Duration: 5 minutes
Working: This is a blood test which indicates the average blood sugar levels of a patient for the past 3 months and can be done without fasting or having sugary drinks.
Required for: This test is needed by patients above the age of 45 and also those who have a family history of diabetes and cholesterol problems.
Benefits: It helps the doctors to diagnose the future risk of diabetes and the associated risk of development of heart diseases.
Results: A glucose level between 4.5 and 6 percent puts you in the normal category, while the level between 6 and 6.4 percent labels you with the problems of pre-diabetes. Those who have glucose level higher than 6.5 percent are considered to have diabetes and thus, have the higher chances of developing heart diseases.
5. Stress Echocardiography
Cost: $ 850 to $ 1,600
Duration: 45 minutes
How it works: This is a modification of the basic stress test. Here an ultrasound is performed before and after the exercise session of the patient , to evaluate the blood flow rate and to check for arterial blockages.
Required for: Anyone who experiences symptoms of heart diseases like chest pain, neck pain and shortness of breath.
Benefits: Provides 85 percent more beneficial results when compared to the normal stress test. This is an excellent way to access the severity of the heart disease and to assess the need for a bypass or stent
Results: If the test results show a reduced blood flow, it could indicate that one or more of your arteries may be blocked.
6. Genetic Tests
Cost: $ 130 each
Duration: 5 minutes
Working: This is a blood test which checks the results for KIF6 and APOE genes.
Required for: Those above 40 years of age
Benefits: The mutation in the genes are directly linked to the incidence of heart diseases. The detection of mutation will help the doctor to start adequate and timely treatment.
Results: Patients, who show a variation in the KIF6 gene are at a high risk of heart diseases. Such patients are subjected to statin treatment to obtain 41 percent drop in the risk of the disease. As for patients with APOE gene mutations, a low saturated fat diet is prescribed to bring down the incidence of the disease.
7. Advanced Lipid Profile and Lipoprotein(a) Test
Cost: $ 19 each
Duration: 5 minutes
Working: In this advanced test, along with measuring the cholesterol levels in the body, the particle size of such entities are also considered. This test is also combined with a blood test, that analyzes the presence of a specific type of cholesterol, that triples the risk of heart disease.
Required for: This test is required by those who have a family history of heart diseases.
Benefits: The analyzing of the particle size is found to be a better method of detection of heart disease risk. The testing of the levels of lipoprotein also enables the physician to analyze how well the particles cling on to the arterial walls, thereby blocking them.
Results: The presence of large LDL particles puts a person in the low risk category, while the presence of small particles increases the risk of heart diseases. If the test reveals the presence of more than 15 percent of small and dense particles, along with a lipoprotein level of above 30 mg per liter, then the person is considered to be a high risk case.
