World Heart Day 2023: Seven Preventive Tests For Your Heart's Well-Being And Healthier Life

In India, we can make substantial progress in enhancing our collective heart health by transitioning from a reactive approach to a proactive one.

Preventive Tests That You Should Undertake For Your Heart's Well-Being And Healthier Life

Source : Getty

(By Dr. Sohini Sengupta, who is a Medical Laboratory Director at Redcliffe Labs)

In today's landscape, the escalating prevalence of heart health issues among young adults is a cause for concern. This alarming trend can be attributed to varied factors, ranging from sedentary lifestyles, smoking, alcohol consumption, underlying medical, increasing incidence of diabetes and dyslipidemias, and genetic predispositions. In India, we can make substantial progress in enhancing our collective heart health by transitioning from a reactive approach to a proactive one. Research released at UN General Assembly week shows tests predicting heart disease and diabetes are among lowest-cost solutions for improving Indian health. 

In light of this, the seven preventive tests serve as a proactive approach to safeguarding your heart's well-being, ensuring a longer and healthier life. 

1. High-sensitivity Troponin I and T-Test: These tests involve the analysis of high-sensitivity troponin I and high-sensitivity troponin T, which are proteins discharged into the bloodstream when there is damage to heart muscle cells. They are crucial in diagnosing heart attacks and other cardiac issues by detecting troponin levels. Let's delve into each of these tests separately:

- High-Sensitivity Troponin I Test: This particular test gauges the presence of cardiac troponin I, a protein primarily found in cardiac muscle cells, to diagnose and evaluate heart-related conditions. Thanks to its exceptional sensitivity and accuracy, the High-Sensitivity Troponin I Test enables the early detection of even minor cardiac muscle damage or injury, thereby ensuring precise diagnosis and timely treatment. Additionally, it aids in categorizing the cardiac risk of individuals who may not display any symptoms.

- High-Sensitivity Troponin T Test: The High-Sensitivity Troponin T Test, on the other hand, measures cardiac Troponin T, which is instrumental in diagnosing and assessing cardiac conditions.

2. NT-proBNP Test: As part of a proactive approach to heart screening, the NT-proBNP Test comes highly recommended, especially for individuals with diabetes, as it helps assess their susceptibility to heart disease. NT-proBNP also serves as a well-established marker for diagnosing heart failure.

3. CK-MB Test: Another blood test often recommended by physicians is the CK-MB Test, which aids in diagnosing heart attacks or myocardial infarctions. This test evaluates CK-MB levels, a cardiac-specific marker, and is typically used with other tests to ascertain the presence of heart attacks.

4. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) Test: This test is employed to identify inflammation within the body. Elevated High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels have also been associated with potential heart-related issues.

5. Lipid Profile Test: The lipid profile test is another valuable blood test on the roster. It measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood that might lead to plaque formation in the arteries and provides insights into an individual's heart disease risk if these values fall outside the normal range. The test helps monitor these levels and assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

6. Lp(a) Test: The Lp(a) Test proves beneficial in measuring Lipoprotein (A) levels in the blood, which aids in determining the risk of blood vessel diseases, evaluating heart health, and recommending preventive measures and treatments accordingly.

7. Homocysteine Test: This test assists in quantifying Homocysteine levels in the body, with elevated levels typically indicating a heightened risk of cardiac events.

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