Get Heart Healthy
When you’re worried about your heart health, finding reliable information and support can make all the difference. The St. Luke’s Heart & Vascular Institute team provides you with the resources you need to prevent and manage heart-related conditions. Here are some valuable insights, guidelines and practical advice to help you maintain a healthy heart.
Schedule Regular Checkups and Screenings
Regular health checkups are important for your heart health. But it can be hard to know when to visit your provider and what tests you need. Here are general guidelines for regular exams and screenings, but check with your provider to see what is right for you.
Physical Examination
Be sure to get your regular physical exams. A regular checkup helps your provider spot any issues early when they can be effectively treated. We recommend a physical exam every three years from age 20 to 39, every two years from age 40 to 49 and every year after age 50.
Blood Pressure
You can feel fine but have high blood pressure. That’s why it’s important to get it checked every year. Left unchecked, high blood pressure increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. Get to know the blood pressure guidelines so you can take steps to manage your blood pressure.
Cholesterol
Everyone has cholesterol, but too much can increase your risk of heart disease. You can get your cholesterol count with a simple blood test. We recommend a cholesterol screening at age 18 and then every five years. Depending on your family history and other risk factors, you might need screenings more often, so check with your doctor to see what’s right for you.
Knowing your cholesterol is one thing, but understanding what the numbers mean is another. Learn more about your cholesterol and how to read your numbers so you can keep your heart healthy.
Testing Your Heart’s Power
Your heart is a power plant that constantly pumps blood through your body. An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of your heart. It tells your doctor how your heart is working and can detect any problems early. We recommend the test every three to five years after age 50 or after age 30 if you are at high risk for a heart attack.
Additional Heart Health Screenings
In addition to your regular screenings, preventive screenings provide valuable information about your heart and vascular health. If you’re concerned about your risk, talk to your provider about additional heart health screenings that may help put your mind at ease. These include:
- Heart scan
- Screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Vascular disease screening (includes screening for peripheral artery disease [PAD], abdominal aortic aneurysms [AAA] and carotid artery disease)