How to Check if Your Heart is OK?
Regularly checking your heart health is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. While you can't definitively determine if your heart is "OK" without professional medical assessment, several methods help monitor its function and identify potential issues early.
These are basic checks you can perform yourself, but they don't replace professional medical evaluations.
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Checking Your Pulse: As noted by the NHS inform and other sources (https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/heart-tests/tests-for-diagnosing-heart-conditions/), checking your pulse is a fundamental aspect of heart health monitoring. Place your index and middle fingers on your inner wrist (radial artery) or your neck (carotid artery). Count the beats for 10 seconds and multiply by six to get your beats per minute (BPM). A normal resting heart rate typically falls between 60 and 100 BPM. However, athletes may have lower resting heart rates.
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Monitoring Blood Pressure: Regular blood pressure checks are essential. While you can purchase home blood pressure monitors, ensure they are calibrated accurately. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so regular monitoring is key.
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Assessing Your Energy Levels and Breathing: The ability to perform moderate activity (e.g., brisk walking) without chest pain, tightness, or shortness of breath suggests reasonably good cardiovascular fitness, as noted by Texas Health (https://www.texashealth.org/Health-and-Wellness/Heart-and-Vascular/What-are-the-Signs-of-a-Healthy-Heart).
Professional Medical Tests:
For a comprehensive assessment, consult your doctor. They may recommend one or more of the following tests:
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Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG records the electrical signals in your heart, detecting irregularities in heart rhythm and rate (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353124).
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Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test produces images of your heart's structure and function.
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Stress Test: This assesses your heart's response to physical exertion. (https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Common-medical-tests-to-diagnose-heart-conditions)
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Tilt Test: Monitors blood pressure and heart rate changes when moving from lying down to standing, helpful for diagnosing certain fainting conditions. (https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/heart-tests/tests-for-diagnosing-heart-conditions/)
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Cardiac Computed Tomography (Cardiac CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Advanced imaging techniques that provide detailed images of the heart and surrounding blood vessels.
Important Note:
Experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat warrants immediate medical attention. These home and professional checks are for monitoring and early detection, not self-diagnosis or treatment.
