The Right Tests for Heart Health
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It’s also a silent killer that can sneak up on you without any warning signs. Most women consider heart disease to be more a man’s health concern, but almost as many women suffer from heart disease as men. That’s astounding! The upside is that there are so many things that can be done to prevent heart disease in women and men: being at a normal weight, physical activity, quality sleep, proper nutrition, optimal D3 levels, and metabolic flexibility. Having normal insulin and blood sugar levels are one of the greatest factors in preventing heart disease.
Yearly blood panels can help you and your doctor be aware of where you are with regards to developing heart disease. Hint, hint….high cholesterol levels are not the most important factor in determining heart disease!
What tests should I be taking to evaluate my heart health?
Here are the tests that I have done yearly and recommend that my clients do the same:
- Vitamin D3
- Full thyroid panel (not just TSH)
- Fasting insulin
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Full lipid panel that includes particle size, total cholesterol, HDL/LDL
- Homocysteine
- Lipoprotein A and B
- Triglycerides
- Cortisol
- Sex hormones: DHEA, Testosterone, Estrogen and Progesterone (yes, these are for women as well)
- Complete CBC
These tests can paint a large picture of what is going on in the systems in your body that affect your heart health. If you need a doctor to help you put the pieces together, please email me and I’ll send you my recommendations.
How often should I be getting these tests?
The tests you need depend on your age and health, but here are some general guidelines:
- You should have your blood pressure checked yearly.
- You should have your cholesterol levels checked at least once a year.
- A fasting glucose test (to check for diabetes) is recommended at least once a year for people over 40 years old, especially if they are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.
- A fasting insulin test (to check for diabetes) is recommended at least once a year for people over 40 years old who are overweight or have high blood sugar levels, as well as those with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Is there a gender difference in heart disease?
If you’re a woman, you’re at higher risk of heart disease than men. Some of the reasons why are:
- Women have more risk factors than men–such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes–and they often don’t know it until their 50s or 60s when their symptoms start to appear.
- Menopause makes women more susceptible to heart attacks because estrogen levels drop dramatically during this period in life (this is also when women start getting osteoporosis). If you’ve reached menopause, it’s especially important for you to get tested regularly so any underlying conditions can be caught early on before they become serious problems that could lead to hospitalization or death!
What you can do about the risk of Heart Disease
The first step is knowing your numbers. Knowing your numbers can help you make better choices. Knowing your numbers can help you avoid heart disease and prevent it in the future.
Learning and understanding what they mean and how they affect your risk of developing heart disease is critical to understanding how to live a long and healthy life.
Consult your doctor
Heart disease is a serious condition that can have devastating consequences if left untreated. It’s important to speak with your doctor about what tests they recommend and when they should be performed.