Health often brings to mind visible aspects such as diet, exercise, and overall wellness. Yet, underneath it all lies the quiet reliable powerhouse of our bodies: the heart. For women, heart health deserves even more attention.

People used to think of heart disease as something that affected men. But the numbers paint a different picture. Heart disease kills more women worldwide than all types of cancer put together making it the top cause of death among females.

Women might not show the typical signs of heart problems. While chest pain is well-known, women tend to have other symptoms like feeling tired, having trouble breathing, or feeling sick to their stomach. This can cause doctors to take longer to figure out what's wrong putting women at higher risk.

This is where heart tests come in handy. They help catch heart disease so treatment can start sooner and work better.
Here are some common tests that matter for women:

• Checking Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can lead to heart disease. Keeping an eye on it helps spot and control high blood pressure lowering the chances of heart attacks and strokes.
• Cholesterol Testing: High cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in arteries, which ups your chances of heart disease. A quick blood test measures cholesterol and helps shape diet and lifestyle tweaks.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An ECG tracks the heart's electrical signals and spots odd patterns. This fast painless test gives key info about heart health.
• Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram creates detailed heart pictures using sound waves. It helps find issues like faulty valves weak heart muscles, and other odd structures.
• Stress Tests: These tests check how your heart works during exercise often on a treadmill or bike. They can show problems that might not pop up when you're resting.
• Coronary Angiography : This exam requires doctors to inject contrast dye into the coronary arteries and capture X-ray images to see blockages. While it's more invasive, it gives detailed insights into heart blood flow.

Regular check-ups with a doctor play a key role. They help spot risk factors offer advice on lifestyle tweaks and catch problems. Women should also talk about their heart health history and any symptoms they notice even if they seem small.
Women must take charge of their heart health, know the risks, and spot heart disease signs. By making heart tests a priority, women can manage their health and lower heart disease's toll.

Heart health affects everyone—not just men. For women, knowing why heart tests matter can save lives. Regular exams and early detection pave the way to a healthier heart and a longer more active life. It's high time to put heart health first and help women live their best lives.

(Dr. Avinash Phadke, President & Mentor, Agilus Diagnostics)