Ask for tests that could save your senior’s life
Heart disease is so common that it causes 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. But doctors still may not be doing the right things to prevent heart attack and stroke in seniors.
And as you’ve probably experienced, the medical system doesn’t focus enough on prevention and effective testing.
To help seniors get the best care, caregivers need to be strong health advocates and ask for important tests before serious symptoms show up. This can be intimidating because we’re not medical professionals and don’t know what to ask for.
Dr. Joel Kahn, a cardiologist who focuses on prevention, shares his 6 best tips on the most effective heart health tests. He recommends asking for these tests during routine office visits or if your older adult is in the Emergency Room because of chest pains.
Dr. Kahn’s expert recommendations help you keep your older adult’s heart as healthy as possible. We’ve summarized his key recommendations here.
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6 tips from a doctor to prevent heart attack and stroke
1. Ask for a coronary artery calcium scan (CACS) A CACS is the most accurate way to find out if heart arteries are getting blocked.
Without the scan, there will be no warning until the arteries are badly blocked. Dr. Kahn says “the first symptom you have may be the day you die.” Scary!
Key facts about CACS:
Widely available CT scan
Costs $80
Uses no dye
Takes one minute
More accurate than a stress test
The score should be zero – anything higher means your older adult should see a preventive cardiology expert
2. In the ER, never leave without a complete evaluation If your older adult has chest pain, pressure, tightness, or squeezing, Dr. Kahn recommends going to an emergency room, not an urgent care clinic.
What to ask for in the ER:
A thorough evaluation
“Serial” cardiac enzymes that are repeated 2 or 3 times every 4 to 6 hours
A repeat ECG to compare to the initial one
A definitive test before discharge – either a treadmill stress test with echocardiography (no radiation) or nuclear imaging (radiation). If CACS or advanced coronary CT angiogram (uses iodine dye) is available, do one of those to make sure arteries are clean.
Dr. Kahn says that ER’s are under pressure to get patients out the door so they’re not as likely to do in-depth exams. He’s seen charts from young people who got basic evaluations in the ER and were sent home, only to die of massive heart attacks within days.
That’s why it’s so important to be a strong health advocate. Don’t be afraid to calmly, but firmly push back if the ER tries to discharge your older adult without proper evaluation.
3. Ask for 5 advanced lab tests Dr. Kahn suggests asking for the following advanced tests. He says many commonly used tests have been around since the 1970s and are quite outdated.
Insist on these tests instead:
Advanced lipid profile: Measures LDL particle number and size, which are more predictive of future heart and stroke events.
Lipoprotein A: It’s rarely used, but hundreds of research studies indicate that if it’s high, the risk of heart attack and stroke skyrocket.
Homocysteine: It’s important for artery and brain health. If elevated, it can be treated to bring the level back to normal.
Inflammatory markers: Best known is hs-CRP, but there are at least 5 others he recommends, like MPO.
TMAO: A new marker of heart and kidney health that’s been shown to cause heart and kidney damage and is associated with worsened prognosis
Advertisement 4. Ask for an ECG Routine physical exams used to include an ECG or EKG, but they’re usually skipped now. Dr. Kahn recommends asking for one to find out your older adult’s QT interval (time between waves of heartbeat).
If someone has a long QT interval (it’s genetic), they shouldn’t be prescribed common medications like cardiac drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, and others that prolong the QT interval – that could cause death from cardiac arrhythmia.
5. Get a vascular screening For seniors who smoke or have family history of early heart disease or stroke, a vascular screening could be worth it. This test uses an ultrasound to scan the carotid arteries, abdominal aorta, and legs.
The scan should show arteries with no plaque. If there’s “mild” plaque, get a complete evaluation by a vascular expert.
6. Check for drug interactions Many drugs will interact with each other, food, or supplements. Even if the interaction isn’t fatal, it can affect how well the medication will work or if your senior will have side effects.
Dr. Kahn stresses the importance of reviewing medications for potentially fatal interactions, for example, those that make a long QT interval even longer.
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By DailyCaring Editorial Team Image: NDTV
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