Making sure you’re on the right track to maintaining a healthy heart is as simple as knowing five little numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, cholesterol and waist size. By regularly monitoring these five things, you can quickly see when something is abnormal so you can follow up with your doctor.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to a host of health problems—most notably cardiovascular disease. By getting your blood pressure taken every few months, you’ll have a better idea of your baseline blood pressure in case you have a spike.
Blood Sugar
Having your blood sugar measured after an 8-hour fasting period is a great indicator of your risk for diabetes. If you already have diabetes, measuring your blood sugar periodically will help you know how well your treatment plan is working.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
This is an easy number you can find out by yourself at home. To determine your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then multiply by 703.
Cholesterol
Getting your cholesterol checked is important in determining your risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Share your results with your healthcare provider so he or she can help get your cholesterol back on track if it’s high, or keep an eye on it if it’s higher than normal.
Waist Circumference
This may be a number you’re all too aware of if you’ve tried to squeeze into an old pair of jeans. A large waist circumference or excess abdominal fat is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing your risk of heart disease and heart attacks, and taking action now, can help ensure you live a longer, healthier life. Riverview Health Heart & Vascular offers preventative screenings to make your you're healthy and share your results with your healthcare provider.
With a baseline EKG screening, the electrical activity of your heart is recorded on paper and read by your healthcare team. The pattern of your heart signals can tell your doctor whether your heart is normal, under stress, or experiencing strain or damage. At Riverview Health, a computerized system stores your baseline EKG keeping it readily available for your healthcare team.
This screening is for adults age 18 and older. Baseline EKG appointments are only Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After you make your purchase from our Direct Access Lab, print your receipt and call 317.776.7444 to schedule your EKG. When it's time for your appointment, take your receipt and report to the Courtney Cox Cole Infusion Center on the second floor (main floor) of our Noblesville hospital (Entrance 1). If you do not wish to make the purchase online, please call 317.776.7444 to purchase and schedule.
This screening is performed using a CT scanner to determine the amount of hardened plaque inside your coronary arteries. Plaque build-up inside your coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart is reduced or blocked.
To be eligible, men must be older than 35, and women must be older than 40. You must weigh 345 lbs or less. Patients must have a primary care physician to whom the heart scan results can be sent. Patients must disclose if they are under the care of a cardiologist. This test is not recommended for patients with stents or previous heart surgery. We do not bill medical insurances for specially priced heart scans.
• Carotid Artery Screening—This test screens for possible narrowing and blockages of the carotid arteries, which are the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. If these arteries are blocked, you could be at a higher risk of stroke.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening—This non-invasive ultrasound test screens for an aneurysm—a bulge or weakness—in the aorta, the major blood vessel that extends from the heart into the abdomen.
• Ankle Brachial Index Test—This procedure tests for peripheral artery disease by screening for blockages and plaque buildup in the legs, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. Deposits of plaque in the large arteries of the legs can block the blood supply to the legs, resulting in pain when walking.
Patients must be at least 30 years old.
This screening uses a CT scan to identify early signs of lung cancer. The exam takes only a few minutes and doesn’t require any medications or needles. Board-certified radiologists provide the results of the exam to your physician. Contact your healthcare provider for an order. Your insurance will be billed.
Right Size. Right Care. Right Here.
395 Westfield Rd
Noblesville, IN 46060
317.773.0760 • 800.523.6001
