Heart attacks are often portrayed in film and TV as a single sudden event. The reality is that the build up can be much less dramatic. In fact, hidden signs of potential heart disease can be quietly lurking in the background unbeknownst to us for days, weeks or even years.

According to the Heart and Stroke foundation, nine in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. If you're considering a health assessment to manage and reduce your risk, it's worth knowing that not all assessments are created equal. Here’s some information to help you understand how clinicians evaluate your risk of heart disease and what kinds of tests and assessments you can seek.

Factors contributing to heart attack for adult men and women

Heart health isn’t just a matter of concern for those who are getting on in years. Though it’s unlikely for an individual to experience a heart attack before the age of 45, for men, and below the age of 55, for women, research shows that heart attacks are becoming more prevalent among adults under 40.

There are a range of contributing factors, some lifestyle-related (smoking, stress, diet) and others owing to genetics or family history. Understanding your personal risk profile through appropriate assessments could help identify and track potential issues earlier. So what kinds of tests and assessments can be performed to evaluate your heart health? There are a few routes that can be taken.

Tests and assessments for evaluating risk of heart disease

There are a variety of methods that clinicians use to help estimate your risk and better understand your heart health. Here are some examples of tests that an individual may undergo:

• Blood sample: Standard blood samples evaluating cholesterol levels typically look for biomarkers like LDL and HDL. Bear in mind that biomarkers, such as LP(a), are typically only available through advanced testing. LP(a) is a biomarker that reflects the presence and level of certain proteins in the blood that may indicate increased heart risk.
• Genetic testing: Genetic screening is used to look for DNA changes that may put you at risk of developing a health condition in the future. The screening is performed on a blood, saliva or cheek swab sample. During the testing process, the laboratory will look for heritable changes in the DNA sequence that may influence your health risks.
• MRI: Advanced imaging provides detailed views of internal organs, helping clinicians identify potential abnormalities.

Men older than 45 and women past the age of menopause are the most at risk of a heart event, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. However age isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to heart health, family history and lifestyle factors, such as vaping or smoking, also heighten an individual's risk of heart disease.

If you fit into any of those categories, consider a comprehensive heart health screening as part of your proactive health plan to inform your heart disease prevention strategy. The benefit of going beyond a blood sample is that you can potentially gauge your health from multiple angles and offer your clinician even more pertinent data points to consider.

In the meantime, have comfort in knowing that you can take steps to try to lower your risk of cardiovascular issues through your own everyday choices, like aiming for balanced nutrition and prioritizing consistent movement.

Prevention is not just about avoiding illness—it's about optimizing health. Our comprehensive assessments provide clear, actionable insights across your whole body combined with follow-through support from clinicians. Discover our new, fast and convenient Foundational Health Assessment or our advanced whole-body Precision Health assessment (available exclusively at our Calgary TELUS Health Care Centre).