Starting gym? Cardiologist recommends five tests to reduce the risk of heart attack in young adults

In recent years we have seen that cases of sudden cardiac arrest in young population, seemingly fit individuals have made headlines. While we always say that regular exercise is crucial for health, pushing your body without assessing your heart can be risky. Cardiologists emphasize that a simple health screening before starting intense gym training can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks.

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The following are five examinations that every young adult should take into account before going to the gym:

An ECG is the device which measures electric activity of the heart and allows identifying the irregularities of rhythms and heart disease. Although you may think that you are healthy, the silent abnormalities may remain unnoticed. A baseline ECG in such instances is reassuring and it can be used as a reference point on the check-up in future.

It is a form of heart ultrasound that produces images that are informative about the chambers, valves, and pumping of the heart in detail. It has the ability to detect structural abnormalities of the heart, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes) or problems with the valves that otherwise could not have been identified.

Also referred to as stress test, is an examination of the heart in relation to physical activity. Doctors can detect unnoticed coronary artery blockage and determine the exercise capability of a patient by walking or running on a treadmill and being hooked up to ECG leads. It is particularly recommended to individuals with strong family history of heart disease.

Adolescents and young adults do not pay much attention to the state of cholesterol levels and blood sugar, whereas premature abnormalities can silently harm arteries. Basic blood test screenings of high cholesterol, diabetes, or pre-diabetes and a check of vital parameters of blood pressure and blood sugar level are some of the major risk factors to heart disease that may be altered with diet, exercising, and medication in the case of need.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipoprotein(a), and homocysteine levels are tests that are used to find out inflammation or some genetic tendencies that predispose an individual to heart attack prematurely. These are especially prescribed to those who have a family history of heart disease.
Going to the gym can be an excellent choice for your health and wellness. However, when you ignore the status of your heart, exercising can be dangerous. A one-time cardiac assessment can help identify your risk with certain health risk factors including a history of family heart issues, smoking, overweight/obesity, or especially high-stress levels. It can also help establish a safe progression to your workouts while trying to eliminate the risk of sudden and potentially life-threatening events. As cardiologists say, "exercise is medicine, but only if your heart is ready."
Dr. Gyanti RB Singh, Associate Director & HOD - Interventional Cardiology, Sarvodaya Hospital , Greater Noida West

Your heart’s basically your engine, and like any engine, it can run into trouble if you’re not careful. Big risk factors? High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Toss in poor diet, too much alcohol, stress, and not enough sleep, and your heart starts working overtime. Family history matters, too—if heart disease runs in the family, your risk goes up. Even things like hidden belly fat or diabetes can sneakily strain your ticker. The good news? Exercise, balanced eating, quitting smoking, and managing stress can keep your heart happy and healthy.

Consider taking these tests before joining gym