How to tell if your heart is healthy

Every moment of every day, a healthy heart keeps beating and pumping blood through the body. Rarely do we think about our heart unless a heart event, exercise, or severe symptoms make us pause and question our heart health. Meanwhile, the heart beats about 100,000 times each day, and the blood vessel system would cross 60,000 miles if stretched straight!

The heart works like a pump that is timed perfectly. While not everyone has the same heart rate, blood pressure, or genetic history, certain numbers indicate current heart health and the risk for cardiovascular disease. Let’s explore more about how to see if your heart is healthy.

The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association have created a simple way to look at general heart health. These five numbers are more than heart tests; they are risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing heart disease at some point.

1. A1C – This measures the average blood glucose levels up to the last three months. The target number for a healthy adult is less than 7%.
2. BMI – The Body Mass Index (BMI) uses your height and weight to determine your body fat. The higher the BMI number, the more likely you are to develop heart disease, among other health problems.
   
3. Blood pressure – This is the force of your blood pumping through arteries. A healthy blood pressure reading is generally 120/80.
   
4. Cholesterol levels – Doctors measure good and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) should be above 60 while bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) should be below 100.
   
5. Kidney function – Kidneys remove waste from the body. Kidney health is measured by the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) tests. An eGFR above 60 indicates normal kidney function.
   

Most of the above tests involve a simple blood test or non-invasive measurement which can be done at home. You can check blood pressure and calculate your BMI at home. Your primary care physician can conduct any of these tests during a regular wellness exam.

Heart disease includes several conditions beyond the commonly recognized heart attack. While a heart attack, known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is one of the most common heart issues, other conditions are just as silent until real symptoms appear. Some of these conditions might include a heart block or arrhythmia.

General symptoms of a heart problem may include:

• Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Heart skipping beats
• Burning or heaviness in chest

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms together or they interrupt sleep or your quality of life, contact your primary care physician for further testing.

A heart blockage means exactly what the name implies: Something is blocking the blood supply to the heart. CAD happens when the arteries become narrow or harden, or when too much plaque accumulates in the arteries. In any of these cases, if the blood supply is restricted completely, a heart attack will occur. The heart muscle begins to die if blood flow isn’t restored as quickly as possible.

Contrary to the name, a heart block doesn’t involve a blockage—rather, this condition happens when the electrical system that controls your heartbeat isn’t working correctly. Electrical signals tell your heart when to beat. A heart block happens when something is interfering with the electrical signal between the atria, the upper chamber of the heart, and the ventricles. This condition doesn’t usually make the heart stop suddenly, but rather, the heart slows down over time. A heart block is also called a conduction disorder.

Heart blocks are categorized by severity.

• A first-degree heart block requires no treatment.
• A second-degree block means the signals are failing more often, eventually causing the heart to skip.
• A third-degree heart block is the most serious and occurs when the electrical signals fail completely.

A heartbeat may change slightly during the day such as when we’re sleeping or exercising. A heart arrhythmia, however, occurs when the heart is beating either too fast or too slow at unusual intervals. Or the heartbeat isn’t regular, leading to fluttering, pounding, or racing. Tachycardia is when the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is too slow, beating less than 60 beats per minute.

Heart tests, or cardiovascular tests, are done by a physician in an office, an imaging center, or a hospital. These types of heart tests look at everything from how the heart is pumping to the electrical system. In particular, these tests look for any possible blocks or blockages.

• Electrocardiogram – This common test, called an ECG or EKG, is a test that detects the heart’s electrical activity. This painless, routine screening reveals any irregular heartbeat and the strength and timing of your heart’s electrical impulses. An EKG may be done in a doctor’s office or any outpatient center and has no serious risks or side effects.
• Coronary calcium scan (CT scan) – This is a scan of the heart that measures any buildup of calcium in the artery walls. The risk of developing atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease increases with plaque or calcium buildup. A final score, known as the Agatstan score, reflects the amount of calcium found. Zero is normal.
  
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - A cardiac MRI is a non-invasive test that creates detailed pictures of your heart using radio waves and magnets. This test reveals quite a lot about the heart, including the chambers, blood vessels, scarring, infection, inflammation, tumors, clots, and congenital diseases.
• Carotid ultrasound – This powerful imaging test looks at the inside of the carotid arteries, which are the main vessels carrying blood and oxygen to the brain. This test also detects any plaque buildup. The ultrasound is painless and is like any other ultrasound that uses a transducer and computer to read sound waves.
• Nuclear heart scan – This is another imaging test that can analyze the blood flow to the heart. The images reveal any dead or damaged heart muscle tissue from any previous heart attacks and determine how well your heart is pumping blood through the body.
  
• Echocardiogram – Also known as an echo, this technology uses sound waves to test the functionality of a heart. Moving images show how well your heart is pumping and how the blood is flowing through the chambers and valves. This test can help diagnose blood clots, fluid around the heart, tumors, aorta problems, and heart murmurs.
• Heart monitors – Small, portable, and easily worn at home, monitors record your heart’s activity for long periods of time as you go about your daily routine. The technology connects physicians and patients across distances, recording the heartbeat’s rate, regularity, strength, and timing. This captured data helps physicians diagnose heart problems.

Keeping your heart healthy is a lifelong journey, from eating well to learning more about the heart in general. Most anyone can learn how to monitor normal heart functions at home. Likewise, it’s possible to be aware of any changes and learn how to check for heart blockages at home.

Check your pulse – You can check your pulse at the wrist or neck by using your index and middle fingers. Press lightly just below the thumb’s base or just below your jawbone. Count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds and multiply by four to find your heart rate. Avoid taking your pulse after stressful exercise, consuming caffeine, or sitting or standing for long periods of time. A normal resting heart rate is about 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Monitoring blood pressure – Recording your blood pressure is another easy way to monitor heart health without leaving the house. Avoid smoking, drinking caffeine, or exercising for 30 minutes before taking the reading. Sitting may be easier. Support your arm on a flat surface and place the cuff directly above the elbow’s bend. Follow the instructions on the monitor. Measure at the same time each day and take multiple readings to get the best results.

Try the stair test – A simple walk up a set of stairs can reveal a lot about your heart health and fitness. Choose a flight of stairs and ascend at a normal pace. Your heart rate should be slightly elevated, but you shouldn’t feel any shortness of breath or pain, or find it difficult to finish.

Check heart rate during exercise – When a physician suspects a blockage or irregular heartbeat, they may recommend a stress test. This test involves walking or elevating the heart rate to monitor any signs of stress. The body increases your heart rate to keep up with the activity level. Generally, someone with poor heart health may have a much higher heart rate during strenuous exercise than an individual with a healthy heart.

Taking care of your heart is possible at home by eating well, exercising, and learning how to recognize symptoms of heart disease. Schedule regular visits with your primary care physician to share any information or concerns.

Related Articles:

Top Risk Factors for Heart Disease

What is My Heart Age?

Sources:

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Coronary artery disease

Heart Tests

Fun Facts About the Heart You Didn’t Know

Know Your Numbers

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