Heart Health Resources at Hancock Health

February is American Heart Month, so you have probably seen a lot of suggestions on how to maintain your heart health. Exercise, eating right and stopping tobacco use are just a few of the ways we know of to help create a heart healthy lifestyle. Before these daily practices can contribute to lowering your risks, however, it is best to know what your individual risks are. Hancock Health Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services can help with preventative screenings.

When your Hancock Health provider gives you a yearly physical, you will have various tests to measure blood pressure, cholesterol and more. These can be a great start in determining what you need to change about your lifestyle to create a healthier cardiovascular system. You may be instructed to add more movement, especially aerobic exercise, into your daily routine. Or eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins.

On top of these routine tests and suggestions, Hancock Health also offers a variety of Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services that can check your plaque build-up, heart structure and more. These tests can mean the difference between life or death for some people who may not even know that a heart attack or serious heart disease could be just around the corner. Here is a list of what heart health resources we offer here at Hancock Health to help determine your risk factors:

We offer affordable heart scans, a non-invasive way to determine the presence, location and extent of calcium deposits in your coronary arteries. Your provider will also learn information about your heart’s structure, how well your heart is working and any signs of coronary artery disease.

Cardiac catheterization – This simple procedure requires injecting contrast dye into the coronary arteries prior to taking a digital picture. Your provider will be able to see any narrowing or blockages.

Cardiac stress testing – A treadmill, bicycle, or medication is used to stress the heart and grade its performance.

Cardiac nuclear stress testing – Done in conjunction with a stress test, cardio lite stress testing shows how well the blood flows to the heart muscle.

Echocardiogram – Ultrasounds of the heart and heart valves determine how the heart is pumping and whether it is working properly.

Electrocardiography – Electrical tracing (EKG) of the heart rhythm helps diagnose conditions that interfere with normal electrophysical function. EKG event monitors make a graphic record of the electric currents generated by the heart while the person walks or otherwise moves wearing a small recorder.

Any of these risk factors means that you are more likely to develop heart disease:

If you have any of these risk factors or are curious about our Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services, please speak to your Hancock Health provider.

Don’t have a provider yet? Start here!

Happy Heart Health month!