heart attack vs cardiac arrest

i'm amy buckman and this is health beat. after the stress and overeating that are so often a part of the holidays, many of us make resolutions to get healthier in the new year, but just vowing to lose weight

or quit smoking may not be enough. instead, consider talking to your doctor about these screenings that can ensure your heart healthy in 2017.

first a blood-pressure test. if you're over age 20 you should have your blood pressure checked at least once every two years. if your pressures high more than 120 over 80 it can mean your heart is overworked, leaving you at risk for a heart attack or stroke and consider this, about twenty percent of people with high blood pressure don't even know they have it.

next, a cholesterol test, if you're over 20 you should get this done every four to six years. a fasting lipid profile measures both good and bad cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides. high cholesterol can also mean a higher risk of heart disease. finally, a blood glucose or diabetes screening. these are important especially if you're over the age of 45.

diabetes is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. if any of these tests show you might be at risk your doctor may start you on statins or order additional tests, such as a coronary calcium score. this is a special x-ray that checks for the build-up of plaque or calcium in the arteries. another option is a high-sensitivity c.r.p.

it's a blood test that can indicate whether there's inflammation in the blood vessels, or they may perform an a.b.i. or ankle brachial index. this test compares the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood pressure in the arm and it can indicate the risk of peripheral artery disease. you can find links to more information about all of these tests right here on philly.com.

for health beat, i'm amy buckman.