Cardiovascular Screening
Screening components
Preparing for the screening
After the screening
Other things you should know
Screening components
Height and Weight Measurement:
Obesity is strongly related to higher risk of heart disease, as well as other diseases. We calculate your body mass index (BMI) using your height and weight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk.
Normal: <26
Overweight: 26-29
Obese: 30-39
Morbidly Obese: >40—weight will be a direct cause of other diseases such as diabetes, respiratory problems, bone and joint problems, etc.
Blood draw:
We will take a small blood sample. We then measure three things: 1) Cholesterol panel—excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can form plaque (a thick, hard deposit) on artery walls. This build-up narrows arteries and reduces blood flow. 2) CRP (C reactive protein)—a protein that can be produced by white blood cells that may indicate inflammation inside your artery. A high CRP level can be due to plaque that’s beginning to form or from stable plaque that’s become unstable and at risk for rupture, causing a heart attack. 3) Glucose—a measurement of sugar in your blood, which may indicate diabetes. Diabetes is strongly associated with heart disease.
Total Cholesterol: <200
HDL (good cholesterol) Men >40, Women >50
LDL (bad cholesterol): Normal <100, Optimal < 70
Triglycerides (sugars & starches): <150
Normal glucose: 70-100 (when you are fasting)
CRP <1mg/L: Low risk
CRP 1-3mg/L: Average risk
CRP >3mg/L: High Risk
Blood pressure:
This helps us to determine the force of blood as it is pumped through your arteries. High blood pressure (when the force is greater than normal) could increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.
Normal home blood pressure: 120/80 or below
Normal office blood pressure: 130/90 or below
Interview about health risk factors:
Lifestyle and family history often play a big role in whether someone will develop heart disease. We’ll ask about family members, your health and your lifestyle.
EKG (electrocardiogram):
We will adhere patches to your body to give us an EKG. An EKG is a recording of the heart’s electrical impulses. It is used to detect heart damage, such as a previous heart attack, or abnormal heart rhythm.
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Preparing for the screening: You should have nothing to eat or drink except water for 8-12 hours before the screening. Do take any prescription medications, however.
Arrive at the screening location 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
After the screening: Your results will be reviewed by one of the board-certified cardiologists at Green Bay HeartCare. If your screening shows an increased risk of coronary artery disease or stroke, we may recommend further evaluation by a cardiologist, a risk factor specialist, or your primary care physician. Your results will be mailed to you in about three weeks.
Other things you should know: This screening is offered throughout the year through a cooperative effort of St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and Green Bay HeartCare. For those who wish to repeat the screening, we recommend that appointments be at least 6 months apart.
Our cardiovascular screenings are very popular, and we often have a waiting list for openings. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact us at (920)498-4132 or click here to email us.