“Heart disease” is often called the silent killer because it often hides without any warning signs. Heart health check-ups are therefore not only for patients or the elderly but are an important preventive plan for everyone.
What should be checked during a heart examination? This has become a popular question for those who start to care about their health nowadays because, as we know, this disease may not show symptoms until it reaches a critical stage. Understanding medical technology and choosing the appropriate examination method for yourself
not only helps you save time and costs but most importantly helps “save the lives” of you and your loved ones in a timely manner.
5 Warning Signs of “Heart Disease” That Require Immediate Check-up
If you or someone close to you has these symptoms, you should not “wait” and should see a doctor for a heart check-up immediately.
- Chest pain feeling tight as if something heavy is pressing, radiating to the jaw, back, or left arm
- Easily fatigued even with light activities or climbing just a few steps
- Palpitations irregular heartbeat, rapid or fluttering
- Fainting or dizziness frequent near-fainting episodes or loss of consciousness
- Swollen legs especially pitting edema on both sides
Why Get a Heart Check-up? Who Is at Risk?
The heart works 24 hours a day. Heart examinations help us detect abnormalities in structure, functional capacity, and the heart’s electrical system early. The groups who should get checked include:
- People aged 40 and above, even without symptoms
- People with risk factors: diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or smokers
- People with a family history of heart disease
- People with abnormal physical symptoms related to the circulatory system
In-depth Look at Heart Examination Technologies: Which Test Is Suitable for Whom?
1. Electrocardiogram (EKG / ELECTROCARDIOGRAM)
- Suitable for: Initial screening for those with risk factors, those experiencing chest pain or palpitations
- Details: The fastest test, helps diagnose coronary artery disease and preliminarily assess heart rhythm
2. High-frequency Heart Ultrasound (Echocardiogram)
- Suitable for: Those who get easily fatigued, suspected of valve leakage/stenosis, or heart enlargement
- Details: Commonly called “Heart Echo,” it allows doctors to see the structure and contraction of the heart muscle in real-time
3. Exercise Stress Test (EST)
- Suitable for: Those who want to screen for coronary artery disease that has not yet shown clear symptoms, or those who want to test heart capacity before planning exercise
- Details: “Treadmill running” to evaluate heart function and blood flow while the heart is under stress
4. Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CT Calcium Scoring)
- Suitable for: Those with high risk factors but no clear symptoms yet
- Details: Uses computed tomography (CT) to detect calcium or plaque deposits in the arteries to assess future coronary artery disease risk
Preparation Guide Before Heart Examination
To ensure the most accurate results, preparation is very important.
| Examination Method | Fasting Food/Drink | Avoid Caffeine | Additional Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| EKG / Echo | No fasting required | Not necessary | Wear easily removable clothes, avoid applying powder/lotions on the chest |
| Treadmill (EST) | Fasting 2-3 hours | Avoid 12-24 hours | Bring sports shoes and wear sportswear |
| CT Calcium Score | No fasting required | Should avoid | Avoid tea and coffee to keep heart rate stable during the scan |
Doctor’s advice: If you have chronic diseases and take regular medication, especially blood pressure or heart medications (Beta-blockers), consult your doctor whether you need to stop these medications before the treadmill test.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Examinations
Q: Which heart test is the most accurate?
A: There is no single best method. Doctors will choose based on symptoms. For example, if you want to see the heart valves, use Echo. If you want to see artery narrowing from exercise, use EST. For high-detail imaging of arteries, CT Coronary Angiogram may be needed.
Q: At age 40, which heart tests should I get?
A: At age 40+, doctors usually recommend a basic program including EKG along with blood tests for cholesterol/sugar. If there are additional risk factors such as smoking or family history of heart disease, Echo, EST, or CT Calcium Score may be recommended to improve screening accuracy.
Q: How long does a basic heart check-up take?
A: A basic test like EKG takes only 5-10 minutes, but a full program including doctor consultation usually takes about 1-2 hours.
Q: Can I get a heart check-up during menstruation?
A: Yes, you can. Whether it is treadmill or Echo, menstruation does not affect the diagnostic results.
