The hidden dangers women face in consuming alcohol
If something unknown is discovered during the tests, addressing it before your surgery is extremely important for both your safety and a smoother post-surgery recovery.
Cardiac clearance is an evaluation to see how well your heart will tolerate surgery stress. Even if your operation is unrelated to the heart, it's important to ensure your heart can handle the anesthesia, medications, and blood flow changes.
When it comes to cardiac clearance, your doctor or cardiologist may run tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or nuclear stress test. These are done to detect irregularities or signs of heart disease including arrhythmias, valve issues, or even blockages.
Those at the most risk are individuals with existing heart disease, high blood pressure, or who have a family history of heart issues.
For a lot of people, cardiac clearance is just a stamp from the doctor saying it's okay to proceed with surgery. However, it's much more than that. It can help reveal heart issues that you may not have noticed, reduce surgical risk, and possibly save your life.
Heart health is highlighted in February and emphasizes eating right, exercising, paying attention to signs of heart attack, and much more.
It's extremely important to be honest with your doctor during these exams. As much as you want to get your surgery done, safety should come first.
If your treatment is delayed due to heart health issues, it's normal to feel frustrated. However, pausing and addressing your heart health could actually save your life.
A cardiac clearance will likely start with your doctor reviewing your risk factors associated with a family history of heart health, lifestyle habits such as smoking or exercising, and if you have hypertension or diabetes.
All doctors, regardless of specialty, should focus on heart health. Surgeries of any kind can be extremely strenuous on the heart and impact the outcomes for other regions of the body.
You'll also likely do some basic screenings including blood work to check things like cholesterol levels, diabetes risk, and other markers.
Depending on your overall health, imaging or a stress test may be needed.
If you are taking blood thinners and any other medication for blood pressure, be sure you inform your doctor.
A cardiac clearance isn't just some box that you need to check off before surgery, it's a potentially life-saving process, so try to embrace it.
Even if you're not getting surgery, a heart health checkup is still advised. If you've been putting off getting your heart checked out, use this February Heart Month as an "excuse" to go soon.
Yes, heart health can absolutely change as we age. It's important to pay attention to your heart health and do regular check-ups with your doctor as you age.
Check your blood pressure once a year if it's normally below 120/80 mm Hg. However, if it's higher, your healthcare provider may want to check it more frequently
High blood pressure is especially important to measure as usually there are no symptoms.
You can measure your blood pressure with a machine. You place the cuff around the bare arm as pictured and let it inflate. Then the air will slowly drain from the cuff and a reading will appear on the machine.
To help manage and lower your risk of heart problems, it's important to pay attention to the quality of your diet, engage in physical activity, don't smoke, and measure your blood pressure and total cholesterol.
More frequent tests may be needed if your doctor determines your risk for heart disease or stroke is higher.
Being obese means you are at a higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and more.
It's also important to have your cholesterol checked as it can severely impact your life and heart health.
Similar to high blood pressure, cholesterol can usually be controlled and managed through lifestyle changes and/or medications.
If you have high blood glucose, or blood sugar levels, you're at a greater risk of developing insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
To calculate your body mass index (BMI) your doctor may want to measure your waist circumference or measure your body weight. These measurements can tell your doctor how healthy you are.
If you're over 45 years old, overweight, or have at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, the doctor may suggest you do a glucose test.
There is always room for improvement in life and our diet and exercise are no different. Talk with your doctor about how you can become healthier and reduce heart health risks.
Sources: (CNN Health) (American Heart Association) (NIH)
See also: 30 of the healthiest winter vegetables and fruits to try
If you smoke, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional to discuss ways to quit. You can also discuss your diet and physical activity levels.
Curious about cardiac clearance and why it's so important? Click through now.
The importance of cardiac clearance for your health
Regular checkups and overall heart health are key to a long and healthy life
HEALTH Preventative care
If you're having surgery, heart-specific or otherwise, you usually have to pass a heart clearance check first. While some see this as an inconvenience and potential delay, it could actually save your life. These checks, and heart health in general, are essential to a long and healthy life.
Curious about cardiac clearance and why it's so important? Click through now.