Cardiovascular Risk Assessments is a group of Tests and Health Factors based on our cardiovascular system that can be judged analytically to assess the risk factor of having a cardiovascular event like a stroke or heart attack which may terminate our life. Let us look at this perspective – The nine months spent in the womb has lowered our fear of Birth, because we can study ourselves in the womb, gestating and growing. But our fear of Death has only grown. As we come nearer to the final moment, our desperation grows. To calm our minds and be prepared, we need to know how long we have before the storm. To calculate this, the Heart and its condition provide a generally acceptable though rough prediction. The aging of the Cardiovascular System provides proven indication of the Risk of sudden abnormality of the Heart, and hence of our Death itself.
Take An Exam
The Exam consists of the following steps:
- Observation: The focus here is on simply determining whether or not JVD (Jugular Venous Distention) is present. The criticality or otherwise of a, c and v waves that make up the Jugular Venous Pulsations, need to be observed, but require skilled detection, even for the most seasoned Physician. This is because the IJ lies deep within the skin and soft tissues, which tend to cover up its pulsations and distention. Alternatively the Hepato-Jugular Reflux can be observed while applying Hepatic Pressure.
- Palpation: By placing the palm of the right hand across the patient’s left chest, so it covers the area over the Heart, it is possible to feel a PMI (Point of Maximum Impulse) related to Contraction at the Apex of the underlying Left Ventricle. Here, the normal sized healthy Ventricle will generate a small impulse. If the Ventricle is found to be dilated and the PMI is found to be displaced laterally, Ventricular Dysfunction is indicated.
- Auscultation: Here the Stethoscope is used to listen to various regions and components of the Heart in operation. By moving the diaphragm of the Stethoscope to locations over and near the Heart, the condition of the Cardiovascular System can be determined.
Risk Assessment
The results of the above exams help to confirm the risk assessment of a person. The Cardiac Circle of normal person (systole/diastole) will be compared to that of the patient, in order to allow clinicians to make the final assessment, and educate the patient.
