By Admin 
Is Breathlessness A Sign Of Heart Disease: If you are often worried whether there is a blockage in your arteries, then the good thing is that you can identify the early signs through some simple home checks. Even though the plaque accumulated in the arteries cannot be seen directly while sitting at home, the body gives some signals which can indicate danger.
regular check of blood pressure
The first and easiest way is to regularly check blood pressure. For this, upper arm automatic digital BP monitor is considered the most reliable. Sit quietly for at least five minutes before measuring BP. Keep your feet on the ground and support your back. After this, take two readings each in the morning and night. Do this continuously for a week and then average all the readings. If your blood pressure repeatedly becomes higher than normal, it may be a sign that the pressure on your arteries is increasing. Generally blood pressure around 120/80 mmHg is considered normal.
ankle brachial index
The second important test is ankle brachial index. According to health information website Mayoclinic, this test compares blood pressure in the legs and arms and especially helps in identifying the risk of peripheral artery disease. To do this, either two cuffs are required or measurements can be taken one by one with the same machine. If the ratio of ankle and arm pressure is less than 0.90, it may indicate narrowing of the arteries in the legs and increased risk of heart-related diseases. This method is considered reliable and helps in initial screening.
lipid profile test
The third important step is lipid profile test. Nowadays many labs provide the facility of sample collection from home. Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides are examined in this test. Especially high LDL cholesterol increases the risk of plaque accumulation in the arteries. Generally, a 12-hour fast is required before the test unless the doctor says otherwise. Reports are available online, which makes it easy to track.
Difficulty climbing stairs
Climb four floors of stairs at the same speed. If during this time you feel pressure in the chest, breathing becomes excessive, pain in the jaw or arm, or dizziness, then stop immediately. Also note how long the symptoms took and what caused them to increase. Such symptoms seen during exertion can indicate the danger of disease related to the arteries of the heart.
Also read- Blood Cancer: Constant fatigue and frequent fever are not normal, can be symptoms of this cancer.
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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