Ischemic coronary heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and in order to tackle it, it is important to prioritize prevention through age-appropriate regular cardiological check-ups and by reducing the risk factors that can be controlled. This time, Dr. César Vecco, a cardiologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, give us important information on the care of this important organ.

When should we begin having cardiological check-ups?

Cardiological controls should start from an early age, because detecting them in time can save our lives. These should be done as follows:

• Between 20 and 30 years of age

The first control should be carried out within this age range, in people without symptoms and without a family history of cardiovascular disease.

Recommendations:

• • • Get a lab test every 3 years.
    • Get an EKG every 5 years.
    • Get your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years

• Between 40 and 50 years of age

The frequency of these controls increases slightly for this age range.

Recommendations:

• • • Get a lab test every 2 years
    • Have an annual EKG
    • Measure blood pressure ideally every 4 months
    • It is advisable to perform a stress test before the age of 50

• From 50 years of age

In this range, the controls increase in frequency and new studies are incorporated.

Recommendations:

• • • Perform annual laboratory tests expanding the requested parameters according to the doctor’s criteria
    • Get an EKG every 6 months
    • Get your blood pressure checked regularly
    • Do a stress test every 2 years or annually

It should be noted that if the person has risk factors such as a family history, the aforementioned controls will increase in frequency and start at an earlier age.

 5 tips to take care of your heart

1. Maintain a healthy diet and weight
2. Perform constant physical activity, including aerobic exercise 30 minutes a day
3. Avoid the consumption of cigarettes and places contaminated by its smoke
4. Moderate the consumption of alcoholic beverages
5. Get regular diagnostic tests to detect risk factors early

Dr. César Vecco
Cardiologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma