What are ECG, ECHO and lipid profile tests, why are they important for the heart

Even if you are 30 years or older and are living a normal life, it is still beneficial to get a basic heart checkup done once every two years. Know when and which tests everyone should definitely get done.

Heart disease is no longer just a problem of the elderly. Due to changing lifestyle, stress, irregular eating habits and lack of exercise, heart problems are now appearing at the age of 30-40. The good thing is that if some necessary tests are done in time, the risk of heart disease can be identified and prevented in advance.

 

Due to stress, poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and diseases like diabetes or blood pressure, heart related problems are now being seen at the age of 30 to 40. In such a situation, it has become very important to know when the heart should be checked and which people should definitely get these tests done on time.

 

 

Dr Ajit Jain, Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Delhi, has told about the necessary tests for the heart.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

ECG is the first and most important test. This test records the heartbeat and electrical activity. It tells whether the heart is beating normally or not. If there is a blockage in the heart, stress or signs of a previous heart attack, then ECG can detect them. This test should be done immediately on symptoms like rapid heartbeat, heaviness in the chest or fatigue.

ECHO (Echocardiography)

The second important test is ECHO (Echocardiography). This is an ultrasound test that shows your heart muscles, valves and blood flow. This shows how well the heart is pumping blood. Especially if someone has problems like shortness of breath, fatigue or swelling in the legs, then this test can be very beneficial for them.

Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Test)

The third and most important test is Lipid Profile (cholesterol test). It checks the total cholesterol present in the blood, good cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein) which is considered "good" cholesterol. Along with this, it tells the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL Low-Density Lipoprotein) and triglycerides. High cholesterol can directly cause blockage in the heart arteries, which becomes a major cause of heart attack. After the age of 30, every person should get this test done every year, especially if there is a history of heart disease in the family.

Through these three tests (blood pressure, ECG, and cholesterol test), you can not only monitor your heart health, but also avoid major risks by consulting a doctor in time and making lifestyle changes and taking medicines.