Cardiac risk assessment is used by medical professionals to determine one's risk of potentially having a heart attack or stroke. By the end of the assessment, you should have a better idea if you are at slight, moderate, or high risk of cardiac events. Are you unsure about your risk? Do you want to know more about your upcoming assessment? This is what you need to know.

What Does the Cardiac Risk Assessment Take Into Account?

The assessment takes into account a variety of indicators. These include age, weight, blood pressure, diet, lifestyle, diabetes, and family history. A doctor understands the potential risks associated with somebody whose parents and grandparents had cardiac health issues, for instance.

What Other Tests Are Involved in a Cardiac Risk Assessment?

In some cases, the doctor may want to add an imaging test. Most are non-invasive, like the ECG and EKG processes. Stress tests are also used to assess cardiovascular disease risk. In some cases, a doctor may need to use invasive testing, like cardiac catheterization. The lipid profile is also used to assess the risk of heart disease. The doctor considers the lipid profile to determine the next steps for moving forward with a treatment plan.

Who Should Undergo Cardiac Risk Assessment?

It is a good idea to ask your doctor if you should consider a risk assessment. You may need to undergo a risk assessment for cardiac disease even if you do not think you are at risk.

What Can You Do if Your Risk Assessment Is High?

If the doctor determines that you are at high risk for a cardiac event, there are several things you can do. You make be prescribed medications that help you lower your risk. You may also be recommended a diet that is low in cholesterol, for instance. These lifestyle changes, like physical activity, can reduce your risk and help you lead a healthier life. A doctor who diagnoses your cardiac risk as high can also perform additional testing and treatments to ensure that you are on the healthiest track possible.

What Should You Do Next?

The next thing you should do is talk to your doctor. A medical professional can help you determine if a cardiac risk assessment is important for examining your health. They can also determine what you should do to take care of your health and possibly even lower that risk. Make an appointment with your doctor today to learn more.