Every 34 seconds, a life is claimed by the most lethal disease in America. With 2,500 daily fatalities, heart disease stands as an undeniable threat. As rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes continue to climb, experts fear these numbers will only worsen, underscoring the critical importance of heart health.
One doctor, Jeremy London, MD, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon in Savannah, Georgia with 25 years of experience, is even using TikTok to share important information. In a recent video, he talks about three crucial heart tests that everyone should be aware of. Dr. London emphasizes that since heart disease is the “number one killer of men and women worldwide,” it’s vital to “learn what’s in your toolbox so you can understand your risk.”
So, what are these three tests Dr. London recommends if you’re experiencing heart issues?
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1. An echocardiogram
“This is just like the ultrasounds that are done during pregnancy,” Dr. London says in the video.
The Mayo Clinic explains that this screening is typically done for people who are experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath.
There are a few different kinds of echocardiograms related to the heart, including Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), and Stress echocardiogram. The most common one, and what Dr. London is referring to, is TTE.
“A small probe is placed on the chest and this can evaluate valve function as well as the strength of the heart,” he explains. This probe sends high-frequency sound waves into your chest, which then bounce off your heart and other tissues. These echoes are then transformed into a moving image.
These echocardiograms can also help doctors diagnose congenital heart defects, murmurs, heart damage, inflammation, or issues with blood flow.
2. A stress test
“You’re placed on a treadmill with EKG pads and then exercised at different levels of exertion, looking for symptoms and changes in your EKG,” Dr. London says.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that this screening, also known as a cardiac stress test, can help diagnose conditions like coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, and even assess how well heart treatments are working.
Stress tests are generally considered safe for most people and are customized based on your age, family history, medications, physical activity, and other factors. The test usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes and is really important for understanding your heart function and blood flow.
3. A calcium scoring CT scan
“You’re placed in a CT scanner and actual pictures of the calcium burden are recorded,” says Dr. London.
Calcium burden refers to hardened plaque, which can be caused by blood vessel injury, diabetes, smoking, or a poor diet. This plaque can narrow or block your coronary arteries, leading to coronary artery disease (CAD). Often, CAD goes unnoticed. In fact, experts at Temple Health say that the first sign you have CAD might even be a heart attack, which is why prevention is so crucial.
If the CT scan finds areas of plaque buildup, doctors will count them up to give you a score.
“You’re given a score from zero to 400, determining whether or not you have significant calcium buildup in the arteries,” says Dr. London.
These scores typically include:
0: no calcification
1 to 10: minimal calcification
11 to 100: mild calcification
101 to 400: moderate calcification
Over 400: severe calcification
Based on your score, your doctor will create a specific treatment plan to help lower your risk of CAD and other heart-related diseases. These treatments often involve changes to your diet, lifestyle, and physical activity, in addition to medications.
While these three tests need to be recommended by your doctor, Dr. London explains that they’re pretty straightforward and easy to do. “These are all noninvasive tests, no needles, no entry into the body,” he says. “But they’re screening tests and each one of them has limitations.”
For more personalized recommendations, make sure to talk to your doctor about which heart tests should be part of your preventative care.