Heart & Stroke Screening

What is a heart and stroke screening?

A heart and stroke screening is a preventive exam to assess your risk for the two most common types of cardiovascular disease:

Heart disease

Heart disease is an umbrella term for a group of chronic conditions that affect heart function. The heart is a vital organ that’s responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Many conditions can prevent the healthy flow of blood to or from your heart.

Common types of heart disease include coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects.

Stroke

A stroke is a serious condition where the brain doesn’t receive the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function. When the brain’s blood supply is interrupted, brain cells die quickly. One of the most common causes of stroke is a blocked artery. Individuals with heart disease, particularly CAD, are at an increased risk of stroke.

What are the risk factors for heart and stroke conditions?

The most common risk factors for heart disease and stroke include:

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood flow against your artery walls is too strong. This force can damage your blood vessels and significantly increase your risk of stroke.

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that can accumulate in your blood vessels and prevent blood flow to your heart. High cholesterol raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Cigarettes raise triglyceride levels in your blood. This fatty substance prevents healthy blood flow to your heart. Smoking cigarettes also causes the blood to turn sticky and clot, leading to stroke or heart disease.

Obesity

Carrying excess weight significantly increases your risk of hypertension, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels. Coupled with poor diet and inactivity, excess weight can lead to heart disease or stroke without treatment.

What can I expect from a heart and stroke screening?

To accurately assess your risk for heart disease and stroke, Dr. Tun performs a series of tests and asks you questions about your health and family history. Most heart and stroke screenings include the following:

• Height and weight measurement
• Blood pressure check
• Body mass index (BMI) measurement
• Blood sugar test
• Family and medical history review
• Lipid cholesterol panel
• Metabolic screening
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiogram (ECG)

To learn more about heart and stroke screenings, call Jeffrey Tun, MD, today or schedule an appointment online.