Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women, but prevention and early detection can play a critical role in helping to avoid heart attacks.
That’s why Martin Memorial is holding a cardiac screening event on Jan. 24 at the Martin Memorial St. Lucie West MediCenter.
Women will receive a gender-specific EKG reading, a lipid blood test, blood glucose test and a blood pressure check, and will also have the opportunity to receive a carotid artery ultrasound to check their vascular health.
The tests are potential indicators of heart disease risk. EKGs measure the heart’s electrical impulses. Because of differences in symptoms and heart rhythms in men and women, gender-specific EKGs were developed to differentiate between the sexes. Lipid blood tests measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in a person’s system. High levels of cholesterol can contribute to heart disease. Blood glucose tests indicate how well your body processes glucose, or sugar. This can be an indicator for prediabetes or diabetes, which is a leading contributor to heart disease. And because high blood pressure can lead to a number of ailments, including heart disease and stroke, controlling it is crucial.
Heart disease can be a lethal condition, but understanding your potential risks could help minimize the damage it can cause. Talk to your doctor to determine what your risks are and whether these tests would be right for you. They may provide information that can save your life.
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