Latest news with #preventivecare
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
S'poreans can test for genetic condition causing high cholesterol levels under new programme
SINGAPORE - Eligible Singapore residents will be able to screen for a genetic condition which causes high cholesterol levels at a subsidised rate as part of a nationwide programme launching on June 30. In a statement on June 19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. FH is a hereditary condition that impacts the body's ability to process cholesterol, affecting roughly 20,000 people in Singapore. People with the condition are up to 20 times more likely to experience heart attacks at a younger age compared with the general population. In a Facebook post on June 19, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the Government is looking to expand preventive care based on genetic testing to more diseases beyond FH. 'It is part of our longer term effort to develop predictive preventive care under Healthier SG,' he said. As part of this effort, the ministry aims to open three genomic assessment centres (GACs) to ensure effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of genetic testing services within each healthcare cluster. Genetics testing for FH at these centres will be subsidised for eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs). They can also tap on MediSave to offset the cost. Those referred to GACs will undergo: Pre-test genetic counselling to understand potential outcomes and benefits before consenting to the test Blood drawing and the genetic test Post-test genetic counselling, to understand the implications of the results The first GAC will be operated by SingHealth and located at the National Heart Centre. It will start accepting referrals from June 30. This centre will serve all Singapore residents until additional centres open. GACs operated by National Healthcare Group and National University Health System will subsequently open to cater to residents' needs. Immediate family members of those found with the condition are at risk and encouraged to undergo genetic testing, MOH said. Known as cascade screening, this process enables early detection of FH within families. It also allows for timelier intervention and treatment, such as advising them to adopt healthier lifestyles or starting on cholesterol-lowering therapies. Under the programme, Singapore citizens and PRs with abnormally high cholesterol levels may be referred by their doctors for genetic testing. Eligible Singaporeans and PRs can receive subsidies of up to 70 per cent for the costs, which include the genetic tests, pre-test and post-test counselling, and phlebotomy services. Seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation are also eligible for additional subsidies. After subsidies, referred patients can expect to pay between $117 and $575. Those eligible for cascade screening can expect to pay between $53 and $253 after subsidies. The MediSave500 and MediSave700 scheme can be used to further offset the cost of the genetic test after subsidies. Patients who are 60 years old and above may also use Flexi-MediSave to further defray out of pocket costs. Under a moratorium on genetic testing and insurance introduced by MOH and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) in 2021, life insurers here are banned from using predictive genetic test results in assessing the outcome of insurance applications, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Insurers are also not allowed to use genetic test results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic test results. MOH said it has worked with the LIA to amend the moratorium to disallow life insurers in Singapore to use the results of all genetic tests conducted under the national FH genetic testing programme. They may, however, continue to request for individuals to disclose existing diagnosed conditions and family history. The amended moratorium will take effect from June 30. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
APPs Can Improve Population Health And Reduce Costs – It's Time We Set Them Free To Do It!
Putting small healthcare clinics inside drug, grocery, and big-box retail outlets staffed by APPs provides consumers with easy access to high-quality acute/episodic and preventive care at affordable prices. An Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a licensed healthcare professional who is not a physician but is educated, trained, and authorized to perform many of the same activities as physicians. APPs are increasingly integral to healthcare delivery, and include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). More than two decades ago, in 2002, I had an idea that putting small healthcare clinics inside drug, grocery, and big-box retail outlets that were staffed by APPs would provide consumers with easy access to high-quality, acute/episodic, and preventive care at affordable prices. In the process of researching the viability of this idea (which turned into RediClinic), I contacted a nurse practitioner at Columbia University's School of Nursing named Mary Mundinger (DrPH). Dr, Mundinger was one of a number of prominent nurse practitioners and other nursing advocates (including Tine Hansen-Turton, J.D., who joined me and others in co-founding the Convenient Care Association in 2006) who had pioneered independent practice for nurse practitioners in the 90's – that is, the ability to practice at the top of their licenses without physician supervision. My meeting with Dr. Mundinger was both pleasant and productive, as she shared an extensive amount of research establishing that the quality of care provided by NPs was comparable to that provided by physicians, particularly in primary care. More than 50 independent studies have now confirmed this conclusion. Here's how the American Enterprise Institute put it in one of them: Can NPs provide health care of comparable quality to that provided by primary care physicians? Our studies showed that beneficiaries who received their primary care from NPs consistently received significantly higher-quality care than physicians' patients in several respects. While beneficiaries treated by physicians received slightly better services in a few realms, the differences were marginal. These results held when vulnerable populations of Medicare beneficiaries were analyzed separately and compared to those cared for by physicians, aligning with the findings of many other studies conducted over the past four decades. I thought Dr. Mundinger would be excited by the prospect of a new model based on care delivery by NPs, and she was to some degree. However, she was quick to point out that the limited scope of practice I envisioned for NPs at RediClinic – in order to ensure that patients with routine medical needs could be treated in time periods that were predictably brief – would not allow them to practice at the top of their licenses. For purposes of this article, I am focusing on NPs and PAs (both Master's Prepared), and the increased role they could play in increasing access to healthcare and reducing costs if the 23 states that don't currently allow independent NP practice and the much larger number that don't allow the PA version of it would change course – particularly in light of the significant and growing shortage of primary care physicians. However, you can see from the following chart that there are many different kinds of APPs, and that the one thing they share is the significant amount of education (minimum of six years, not including supervised clinical experience) required to achieve their respective licenses. There are many different kinds of APPs, and the one thing they share is a significant amount of education. While there have been some suggestions in the media that the educational institutions that license APPs may not be rigorous enough, there is a multi-level process in place to ensure that graduates are properly prepared. While acknowledging Dr. Mundinger's position that NPs should be allowed to practice at the top of their licenses without physician supervision, I found in my home state of Texas (and many other states in which RediClinic subsequently operated) that the regulations governing NP and PA practice were much more of an obstacle to full practice authority than any I had contemplated for RediClinic. In general, the NP and PA regulations in Texas were unnecessary, costly, and difficult to justify given the state's well-documented shortage of primary care physicians and the resulting public health issues. When we launched RediClinic in H-E-B grocery stores in Texas, a physician had to be on site 20% of the time our APPs were practicing, and each of these 'oversight physicians' (who had to be paid but did not provide patient care) were only allowed to supervise a maximum of four NPs or PAs. Over the next few years, we were able to convince regulators to reduce the on-site requirement to 10% and then eliminate it entirely. However, it was a waste of valuable healthcare resources in the interim, and today – more than 20 years later – the physician supervision requirement remains, in spite of extensive evidence that barriers to independent APP practice restrict access to care while doing nothing to improve the quality of it. And Texas is not alone in unnecessarily restricting the ability of NPs and PAs to practice at the tops of their licenses without physician supervision, which, among other things, adds about $8,000 annually to the cost of NP and PA practices. In a recent ranking by the Convenient Care Association, 27 U.S. states received a grade of 'D' or 'F' based on their levels of NP, PA, and other APP provider autonomy. In a national survey by the Mellman Group, 31% of Americans said they had to wait an 'unreasonably' long time to get an appointment with a healthcare professional. In Texas, 44% of patients said they had to wait one to two months, and 38% said they had to wait over two months for an appointment. The main reason for these unacceptably long wait times for primary care, which has been shown to be a key driver of healthcare costs, is that our nation has a significant shortage of primary care physicians, a trend that is projected to worsen over the coming decade. The increasing supply of NPs and PAs could offset this primary care shortfall if their capabilities were fully utilized. This means finally giving NPs, PAs, and other APPs the ability to practice at the tops of their licenses, without the need for burdensome and unnecessary physician oversight. None of this is intended to diminish in any way the central role that primary care and other physicians play in our nation's healthcare delivery system, or to discourage teamwork among physicians and other healthcare professionals. However, there are simply not enough physicians to go around, the shortage is projected to worsen, and we can't afford to hang onto outmoded and inefficient care delivery models when the APP solution is staring us in the face.
CNET
4 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Samsung Gave Me an Inside Look at Its Plan to Help Us Age Better (One Galaxy Watch at a Time)
Samsung is pushing its Galaxy Watch beyond everyday health and fitness tracking and into the realm of preventive care with personalized wellness coaching and a new blood analysis feature that aims to help people fend off disease and support healthier aging. I spoke with Dr. Hon Pak, Samsung's senior vice president and head of digital health, to get a closer look at what's coming to the Galaxy Watch and how it could change how we think about wearables. "There's illness, there's cancer, and so many other conditions that are actually preventable," Pak told CNET. "We know those behaviors are important, but in our busy lives, it's often hard to keep them up. At Samsung, our mission is to meet people where they are and help support those healthy behaviors in a meaningful way." The new tools are expected to debut alongside the next Galaxy Watch in July and include a noninvasive blood test that measures antioxidant levels (or carotenoids), a cardiovascular health assessment, personalized sleep coaching and an AI-powered run assessment with live feedback to help you train smarter. "What we really think we can do is bring this data about sleep, nutrition, activity and stress, and really contextualize it for the user," Pak said. At a time when there are a dizzying number of smartwatches and wearables available for consumers to choose from, Samsung aims to stand out by evolving its Galaxy Watch from a passive tracking device into a proactive health monitor. The goal is to help people take control of their health and keep them on track long-term. With more than 68 million people worldwide on Samsung Health, the company hopes to bridge the gap between that brief snapshot of data collected at the doctor's office and the continuous health data collected by wearables that can help paint a more complete picture of your health. The Galaxy Watch's Antioxidant Index measures antioxidant levels in your body without a blood sample; just your thumb on the sensor. Samsung Antioxidant detection, no needle needed Beta-carotene is just one example of the many naturally occurring carotenoids, or antioxidants found in vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes that can help neutralize toxins (free radicals) in the body, according to National Institute of Health. These toxins -- typically caused by stress, poor diet, smoking and aging -- can build up over time and contribute to serious health problems like cancer, heart disease and premature aging. Currently, one of the most common ways to detect carotenoid levels is through a lab test by having your blood drawn. With a new feature called the Antioxidant Index, the next Galaxy Watch will be able to measure carotenoid levels in the skin instantly without needles or lab work. Instead, you place your thumb on the back of the watch sensor for a few seconds. "This is a non-invasive way to see how your diet and lifestyle may be affecting your antioxidant levels," Pak said. "We use LED light sensors measuring four different wavelengths to detect beta-carotene in the skin. And we've validated the readings [from the Galaxy Watch] against levels in the blood," On the Galaxy Watch, people will receive a score from "low" to "adequate," with some general guidance on habits to improve antioxidant levels. Longer-term, Samsung is working on more targeted AI-driven recommendations tied to specific recipes, supplements, and nutrition plans. "If your levels are low, we might suggest more leafy greens or sweet potatoes," Pak said. "Eventually, we want to tie this to personalized recommendations through nutrition coaching and recipe suggestions." Smarter running tools on the Galaxy Watch create a custom training plan to reach your goals that adapts as you go. Samsung Running Samsung is also debuting a 12-minute run test to help Galaxy Watch owners establish a baseline fitness level, ranging from beginner (level one) to marathon-ready (level 10). Once the assessment is complete, the watch will generate a personalized training plan to help people reach specific distance goals, like running a 10K or half marathon. You'll also get real-time encouragement from an AI coach on the watch to help push you through a run, similar to Apple's new Workout Buddy feature on the Apple Watch. Samsung's AI coach will give guidance verbally like "push a little harder" or "ease up," as well as adapt plans for future workouts based on your performance. As users progress, they'll unlock new training challenges, making the program dynamic and goal-driven. It'll also help you put the training into context by showing you how it's affecting other health indicators already on the watch, like VO2 max, a key indicator of overall fitness. Eventually, these health indicators could be used as training targets instead of just distance goals to map out a training plan. "As we target more athletes clearly, that's going to be something people are going to want to do," Pak said. "That's a teaser for what's to come." The Bedtime Guidance feature on the watch gives you an optimal sleep and wake window that takes into account your individual circadian rhythm and sleep debt. Samsung Sleep Sleep is another core puzzle piece in Samsung's holistic approach to preventive care, and a major indicator of overall health, Pak said. Poor sleep has been linked to serious long-term risks like dementia, cardiovascular disease and obesity. "A lot of body repair happens during sleep, both physical and mental," he said. A new feature called Bedtime Guidance builds on the Galaxy Watch's existing sleep tracking tools, like sleep stage analysis and sleep apnea detection, by offering personalized recommendations for optimal sleep and wake times. It starts with a three-day analysis of your sleep habits to determine your unique circadian rhythm and sleep pressure (also known as sleep debt). From there, the watch provides tailored advice to help improve metrics like total sleep time and energy score based on your own sleep data. Rather than simply sending a generic reminder to get 8 hours of sleep, Bedtime Guidance recommends a personalized sleep and wake window. The goal is to help you recover from nights of poor or irregular sleep and improve alertness during the day. So, for example, if you were jet-lagged, this feature could (in theory) help reduce your sleep debt and get your sleep schedule back on track faster. The Galaxy Watch also takes a more nuanced approach to coaching by factoring in real-world inputs collected by the watch, your Galaxy phone, and other Samsung devices when available. For example, it may suggest improving your sleep environment by lowering the thermostat or making the room darker. "We have SmartThings connected with Samsung, so it can control your environment, things like humidity, temperature, lighting, or even automatically closing the blinds. We also have medical features, like sleep detection. After just a couple of nights, we may be able to detect signs of sleep apnea and suggest that you seek medical care," Pak said. Vascular Load on the Galaxy Watch measures the strain on your heart (or vascular system) during sleep. Samsung Vascular Load measures strain on the heart Another new metric is Vascular Load, which reflects the cumulative stress on your heart and vascular system while sleeping; stress that ideally should decrease overnight. Pak said the Galaxy Watch uses pulse wave analysis and optical sensors to track trends in arterial stiffness and overall cardiovascular strain. These readings are translated into a low-to-high scale to help you understand how behaviors (like sodium or alcohol intake) may be contributing to long-term heart disease risk. "Things like poor sleep, a bad diet or chronic stress can elevate your vascular load," Pak said. "This is one way we're trying to make those connections visible in a meaningful, measurable way." The features will be available on newer watches like the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 7, but vary depending on the types of sensors available. John Kim/CNET Who gets these features, and how much will they cost? The new features are part of the One UI 8 Watch, which will be available on the newest Galaxy Watch series starting this month, through a beta program (currently limited to customers in the US and South Korea with a Galaxy Watch 5 or newer). Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index are being introduced as Labs features, which means they're considered experimental and available for early preview before their official release. All of these features are expected to make their official debut with the next Galaxy Watch, which we're expecting to come in July. The availability of each specific feature will depend mostly on whether your Galaxy Watch has the advanced LED sensors necessary to power them. Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index, for example, will be available only on the Galaxy Watch Ultra and later, while the Running Coach feature will require the Galaxy Watch 7 or later. Pricing is also still up in the air. During our interview, the company said it's exploring a premium subscription model similar to Fitbit Premium or Garmin's new Connect Plus that requires a monthly subscription to unlock advanced coaching features. Ideally, the features would be included free with the new watch, while older models could access them behind a paywall. We'll update this article as soon as Samsung shares more details on model eligibility and pricing. The Samsung Health app showing data from the Galaxy Watch Ultra. John Kim/CNET Samsung's future health plans Optically based glucose measurement may not be too far off, Pak suggested. As Samsung continues to explore noninvasive medical testing, it's clear the company sees wearables playing a growing role in day-to-day health tracking and as preventive care. Samsung's goal is to make clinical-level insights accessible at home and turn wearable data into actionable guidance before a problem becomes serious. "We believe wellness isn't just one thing," Pak said. "It's activity, nutrition, mental health, and sleep combined." Whether it all works as intended (and whether people actually stick with it) will depend on Samsung's execution. But one thing is clear, Samsung is making a serious play to turn your wrist into a true health hub.
Health Line
05-06-2025
- Business
- Health Line
Does Medicare Cover Blood Tests for Cholesterol and How Often?
Key takeaways Medicare covers cholesterol testing as part of cardiovascular screening blood tests, including tests for lipid and triglyceride levels, which are covered once every 5 years. For those diagnosed with high cholesterol, Medicare Part B covers continuing blood work to monitor the condition and response to prescribed medication. Cholesterol-lowering medication is typically covered by Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Medicare covers cholesterol testing as part of the cardiovascular screening blood tests. It also includes tests for lipid and triglyceride levels, which are covered once every 5 years. However, if you have a diagnosis of high cholesterol, Medicare Part B will usually cover continuing blood work to monitor your condition and response to prescribed medication. If you need cholesterol-lowering medication, it's usually covered by Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans. Keep reading to learn more about what Medicare covers to help diagnose and prevent cardiovascular disease. What else does Medicare cover to help diagnose and prevent cardiovascular disease? Cholesterol testing isn't the only thing Medicare covers to help identify, prevent, and treat cardiovascular disease. Medicare Part B will also cover an annual visit with your primary care doctor for behavioral therapy, which may include suggestions for a heart-healthy diet. Additional preventive services covered by Medicare Medicare covers other prevention and early detection services — many at no charge — to help identify health issues early. Diagnosing health conditions early can maximize the success of treatment. These tests include: Preventive services Coverage abdominal aortic aneurysm screening 1 screening for people with risk factors alcohol misuse screening and counseling 1 screen and 4 brief counseling sessions per year bone mass measurement 1 every 2 years for people with risk factors colorectal cancer screenings how often is determined by the test and your risk factors depression screening 1 per year diabetes screening 1 for those at high risk; based on test results, up to 2 per year diabetes self-management training if you have diabetes and a written doctor's order flu shots 1 per flu season glaucoma tests 1 per year for people with risk factors hepatitis B shots series of shots for people at medium or high risk hepatitis B virus infection screening for high risk, 1 per year for continued high risk; for pregnant women, 1st prenatal visit and at time of delivery hepatitis C screening for those born 1945 to 1965; 1 per year for high risk HIV screening for certain age and risk groups, 1 per year; 3 during pregnancy lung cancer screening test 1 per year for qualified patients mammogram screening (breast cancer screening) 1 for women ages 35 to 49 years; 1 per year for women ages 40 years and older medical nutrition therapy services for qualified patients (diabetes, kidney disease, kidney transplant) Medicare diabetes prevention program for qualified patients obesity screening and counseling for qualified patients (BMI of 30 or more) Pap test and pelvic exam (also includes a breast exam) 1 every 2 years; 1 per year for those at high risk prostate cancer screenings 1 per year for men over age 50 years pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine covered; specific vaccine as recommended by your doctor tobacco use counseling and tobacco-caused disease 8 per year for tobacco users wellness visit 1 per year If you register at you can get direct access to your preventive health information. This includes a 2-year calendar of the Medicare-covered tests and screenings you're eligible for. What to expect from cholesterol testing The cholesterol test is used to estimate your risk of heart disease and blood vessel disease. The test will help your doctor evaluate your total cholesterol and your: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Also known as 'bad' cholesterol, LDL in high quantities can cause the buildup of plaques (fatty deposits) in your arteries. These deposits can reduce blood flow and can sometimes rupture, leading to a heart attack or stroke. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Also known as 'good' cholesterol, HDL helps carry away LDL cholesterol and other 'bad' lipids to be flushed from the body. Triglycerides: Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that is stored in fat cells. At high enough levels, triglycerides may increase the risk of heart disease or diabetes. Lipoprotein(a): Your doctor may order this test to check your Lp(a), a type of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Medicare doesn't cover this test. Takeaway Medicare covers the costs of testing your cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels every 5 years. These tests can help determine your risk level for cardiovascular disease, stroke, or heart attack. Medicare also covers other preventive services, including wellness visits, mammogram screenings, colorectal cancer screenings, flu shots, and more. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
Health Line
30-05-2025
- General
- Health Line
When Should You Have a Heart Health Checkup?
An important part of preventive healthcare, some heart health screening tests may start around age 20. Other tests may not be needed until you are older. Routine heart health screenings are an important part of preventive healthcare for adults. Some heart health screening tests should begin as early as age 20, recommends the American Heart Association (AHA). Other heart health screenings may begin later in life. Your doctor can help you learn which screenings you should get and how often you should get them. Read on to learn about the steps you can take to monitor your heart health. When should you get a heart checkup? Even if you have no history of heart disease, the AHA recommends the following schedule for heart health screenings: Weight and BMI: during regular annual checkups Blood pressure tests: at least once every 2 years, starting by age 20 Blood cholesterol tests: at least once every 4 to 6 years, starting by age 20 Blood glucose tests: at least once every 3 years, typically starting at age 40 to 45 They may also order high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) testing. This test measures C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation or infection that's associated with increased risk of heart attack. If you have certain risk factors for heart disease or a strong family history, your doctor might encourage you to start these screenings at a younger age than usual. For example, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening if you have: high blood pressure, blood cholesterol, or blood sugar a heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation a family history of heart disease overweight or obesity prediabetes or diabetes certain lifestyle factors, like smoking tobacco had complications during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes Ask your doctor how often you should undergo heart health screenings, based on your medical history and health needs. What to expect A routine heart health checkup doesn't typically involve complicated tests. During a heart health checkup, your doctor will talk to you about how you're feeling and offer you screening tests to assess your cardiovascular health and risk factors. Your cardiovascular system includes your heart and blood vessels. As part of the checkup, they'll look for any signs of heart disease and consider your risk for developing heart disease in the future. To monitor the health of your heart, your doctor should routinely: assess your weight and BMI measure your blood pressure order blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels ask about your diet, physical activity, and smoking history ask about your personal and family medical history ask whether you've noticed any changes in your health If the results of your screening tests show signs of heart disease or a high risk of developing heart disease, your doctor may order additional tests. Additional heart health tests If your doctor thinks you might have heart disease, they may order one of more of the following tests to assess your heart health: Electrocardiography (ECG, EKG): Small, sticky electrodes are applied to your chest and attached to a special machine, known an ECG machine. This machine records your heart's electrical activity and provides information about your heart rate and rhythm. Exercise cardiac stress test: Electrodes are applied to your chest and attached to an ECG machine. Then you're asked to walk or run on a treadmill, or pedal on a stationary bike, while a healthcare professional assesses your heart's response to physical stress. Echocardiography: A healthcare professional uses an ultrasound machine to create moving images of your heart to see if you have problems with the pumping function of your heart, and to assess your heart valves. Sometimes, they may do this before and after you've exercised or taken certain medications to learn how your heart responds to stress. Nuclear stress test: A small amount of radioactive dye is injected into your bloodstream, where it travels to your heart. A healthcare professional uses an imaging machine to take pictures while you're at rest and after exercise to learn how blood is flowing through your heart. Cardiac CT scan for calcium scoring: You're positioned under a CT scanner with electrodes attached to your chest to record your heart's electrical activity. A healthcare professional uses the CT scanner to create images of your heart and check for plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. Coronary CT angiography (CTA): Similar to the test above, you lie under a CT scanner with electrodes attached to your chest so a healthcare professional can record your heart's activity and create pictures of your heart based on the CT scan's images. A contrast dye is injected into your bloodstream to make it easier for them to see plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. Coronary catheter angiography: A small tube, or catheter, is inserted into your groin or arm and threaded through an artery to your heart. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter while a healthcare professional takes X-ray pictures of your heart, allowing them to see if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. If you receive a diagnosis of heart disease, your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, or other treatments to manage it. How much do heart checkups cost? You may be able to access heart health screening tests at low or no cost, depending on where you live and your insurance coverage. If you don't have health insurance, federal health centers offer many essential health services regardless of ability to pay. You can see if there's a qualified health center near you using their search tool. Some pharmacies also offer free heart health screenings in February, National Heart Health Month. If you have health insurance, you may have no cost for basic heart checkup tests. Under the Affordable Care Act, many health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of certain preventive health screenings with no copayment, coinsurance, or deductible fee. Depending on your health insurance coverage, age, and health history, you may be able to get blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar screenings for free. If your doctor orders additional tests to evaluate your heart health, you may have charges for those tests. Some or all of the cost of the tests may be covered by your health insurance. If you have health insurance, contact your insurance provider to learn if you're eligible for free heart health screenings. Ask them how much specific tests will cost. How to check your heart health at home Depending on your health history, your doctor might encourage you to monitor your own heart health and risk factors between checkups. For example, they might advise you to monitor one or more of the following: your body weight or BMI, using a scale your blood pressure, using a home blood pressure monitor your blood sugar levels, using a glucose monitor your heart rate and rhythm, using a wearable fitness tracker, smartwatch, or other device If your doctor wants to assess your heart's electrical activity over the course of multiple hours or days, they might ask you to wear a Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a small battery-operated device that functions as a portable ECG machine. Your doctor may ask you to wear it for 24 to 48 hours before returning the monitor to them. Your doctor may also ask you keep track of your fitness activities, diet, or other lifestyle factors that might affect your heart health. Similarly, they may ask you to log any symptoms of heart disease that you develop. Tips for maintaining heart health To help lower your risk for heart disease, it's important to practice a healthy lifestyle. For example: Avoid smoking tobacco. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Eat a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit your consumption of trans fat, saturated fat, and sugar-sweetened foods and drinks. Take steps to manage your weight. Follow your doctor's recommended treatment plan if you've received a diagnosis of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, diabetes, or other health conditions. Getting routine heart health screenings is also important for maintaining your heart health. These screenings can help your doctor identify potential problems early so you can get the treatment you need. The takeaway To monitor your heart health, your doctor may regularly check your: weight blood pressure blood cholesterol blood sugar They will also ask you about your medical history and lifestyle habits, which can affect your chances of developing heart disease. Many other tests are also available to evaluate your heart's function and health, if your doctor thinks you might have developed heart disease.
