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Preventive Care

What to expect during a Heart Screening?

04 April 2024

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Initial assessment of a heart screening

Patients will go through an initial assessment by a general physician or cardiologist to assess for the presence of risk factors. These risk factors include narrowing of blood vessels, also known as atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, excess alcohol, and an existing family history of heart disease, stroke or sudden death.

Then, a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed and blood tests are carried out, which include but are not limited to fasting cholesterol and blood sugar. After the initial assessment, the physician would then determine, based on the age, background of the patient, presence and severity of risk factors, what would be the most appropriate tests to conduct next.

Common tests involved

Echocardiogram a.k.a ultrasound

  • Observing the internal structure of heart valves and chambers
  • Determining the heart’s ability to pump
  • Investigate the status of the coronary arteries

Treadmill ECG

  • Stressing the heart with exercise or drugs
  • Detecting inadequate blood supply
  • May involve cardiac imaging with echocardiography
  • Alternatively involves nuclear perfusion for greater accuracy

Computed Tomography (CT) scan

  • Scans anatomy of coronary arteries
  • Requires slightly higher dose of radiation

Recommended Intervention

After completing the tests, the doctor will review all the findings with you, establish your risk and make further recommendations. This includes healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss and good nutrition, to taking medications or surgeries in more serious cases.

Depending on the test results, the patient may require future monitoring to determine if the recommendations given have stopped or reversed the progression of any existing heart disease.


Time to take action

Despite feeling well it’s good to take preventive measures. Especially if you fulfil the following criteria: Male > 45 years of age or female > 50 years, particularly if you’re planning to start vigorous exercise. If there is a pre-existing family history of heart disease, stroke or sudden death, or if you already have 2 or more of the above-mentioned risk factors of heart disease. If you have any of the following risk-factors, book an appointment for a heart screening today at HMI Medical Centre.