February is American Heart Month. Let’s talk about some
numbers you should monitor if you are interested in ensuring
your long term cardiovascular health.
Blood pressure measures the force exerted as your heart
works to send blood to all the body parts that need it. When
blood pressure is elevated, it means that your heart is
working harder to pump blood around. This puts stress on the
heart, the vessel walls, and other organs. Having your blood
pressure checked on a routine basis is important. Blood
pressure is checked at a yearly biometric screening, most
routine dental appointments, and of course at any medical
clinic appointments. If your blood pressure is above 130/80,
you should consider following up with a healthcare provider.
Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and
stroke.
Your cholesterol (lipid) panel reveals the amount of each type
of cholesterol that is present in your body. When there is too
much cholesterol, it can build up as plaque in your arteries.
This narrows the arterial openings, which makes it more
difficult for blood to get through to where it is needed. High
cholesterol and plaque buildup are risk factors for heart
disease and stroke. Cholesterol is checked at your yearly
biometric screening, but is also available through a healthcare
provider. If any of the components of your cholesterol panel
are found to be abnormal, you should follow up with a
healthcare provider.
Heart calcium scoring is a low dose CT scan of the vessels
around your heart. It can detect plaque buildup that is
concerning but has not yet begun to cause symptoms. This
test is cost effective and can provide reassurance or
actionable results. Those who are at risk for heart disease but
have not been diagnosed with heart disease may be
candidates for this test. If you think you may benefit from a
heart calcium scoring, talk to your healthcare provider.
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