Our Services / Heart Attack & Stroke Risk Screening

What is a heart attack and stroke risk screening?

A heart attack and stroke risk screening is a preventive evaluation to assess your risk factors for conditions that can otherwise lead to serious, long-term complications.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when part of your heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. This event typically occurs because of coronary artery disease, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your heart.

Damage to the heart muscle can affect how well your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain becomes blocked or ruptures. The loss of oxygen-rich blood causes brain tissue to die, which can, in turn, lead to a variety of health complications in the parts of the body that are controlled by the affected brain tissue.

What’s involved in a heart attack and stroke risk screening?

The Coastal Cardiology of Orange County providers assess several risk factors during your heart attack and stroke risk screening, including your:

• Age
• Gender
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol levels
• Smoking history
• Family history of heart disease

You may need blood testing and heart tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiogram to identify underlying heart issues that you already have. One of the most common causes of heart attack and stroke is atherosclerosis, a hardening of your arteries.

Based on the results of your screening, the providers can recommend ways to lower your risk factors for heart attack and stroke through lifestyle and diet changes, medications, and other therapies.

How can I lower my risk for heart attack and stroke?

Understanding your risk for heart attack and stroke can make it easier for you to make lifestyle modifications that improve your cardiovascular health.

You can significantly lower your risk for heart attack and stroke by:

• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting 30 minutes of exercise a day
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Managing stress

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you may need to take medications to control your condition. It’s important that you follow your doctor’s instructions for taking medications to prevent complications.

You should also schedule follow-up heart attack and stroke risk screenings with the providers at Coastal Cardiology of Orange County. The physicians can determine how often you need a screening based on your existing health and medical history.

To schedule a heart attack and stroke risk screening, call the nearest Coastal Cardiology of Orange County office, or book a consultation online today.