A heart check is a targeted cardiological check-up that gives you certainty about the condition of your most important organ. It is more than just a snapshot - it is an essential building block for proactive health management. At our practice in Düsseldorf, we understand that the needs of a Heart Check vary depending on your age, lifestyle and personal history. That's why Dr. Raphael Bruno offers you individualized preventive care that is tailored precisely to your stage of life and your specific questions.
Why a regular heart check is essential
The cardiovascular system is exposed to high levels of stress throughout life. Many processes that lead to serious illnesses such as heart attacks or strokes develop gradually and without symptoms. Risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels do not cause pain, but continuously damage the blood vessels. A regular Heart Check with a specialist serves to uncover these „silent“ dangers, determine your personal risk status and initiate preventive measures before any damage occurs. It is your chance to actively take the health of your heart into your own hands.
The right time: when is a heart check useful?
A Heart Check is not tied to a specific age. Various life events and situations are ideal times to have a cardiological assessment carried out.
Life event / situation | Why is a heart check useful now? | What is the focus? |
Starting a new sport (especially > 35 years) | To ensure that the heart can cope with the new load and that there are no undetected risks. | Exercise ECG, cardiac ultrasound to assess cardiac structure and function under stress. |
Diagnosis of heart disease in the family | To clarify a possible hereditary predisposition for yourself at an early stage. | Detailed family history, extended blood lipid analysis (e.g. Lp(a)), vascular ultrasound. |
Round birthday (e.g. 40th / 50th birthday) | An ideal milestone to create a comprehensive baseline for future health. | Recording of all relevant risk factors, comprehensive cardiovascular status. |
Onset of the menopause in women | The natural protection of oestrogen is lost, which often causes blood pressure and cholesterol to rise. | Detailed analysis of the altered risk profile, in particular the blood lipid values. |
After surviving a serious infection (e.g. flu, Covid-19) | To rule out a possible, often unnoticed involvement of the heart muscle (myocarditis). | Resting ECG, cardiac ultrasound, laboratory (inflammation values, troponin). |
High professional or private stress level | Chronic stress is an independent risk factor for high blood pressure and heart attacks. | 24-hour blood pressure measurement, advice on stress management techniques. |
The heart check from 40: focus on risk factors
With increasing age, the early detection of acquired risk factors becomes the focus of attention. Heart Check. While the focus for young people is on detecting congenital problems, from the age of 40 it is primarily a matter of recognizing and treating the classic diseases of civilization in good time. This phase of life sets the course for healthy ageing. The check-up therefore focuses in particular on the „big five“ cardiovascular risk factors: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and lack of exercise.
The heart check for athletes: safety under any strain
For sporty and active people, the Heart Check A sports cardiology check-up has a dual function: it serves not only as a general health check-up, but also as a specific assessment of your fitness for sport. A sports cardiology check-up ensures that your heart can cope with the high demands of training and competition. It helps to minimize the rare but tragic risk of sudden cardiac death. In addition, the results of performance diagnostics as part of the Heart Check can be used to make training more efficient and targeted.
The heart check for women: Consider special aspects
Women's heart health requires a differentiated approach. Women often have different symptoms in the event of a heart attack and specific, hormone-related risk phases in their lives. A modern Heart Check takes these differences into account. Particular attention is paid to hormonal changes during and after the menopause, as the cardiovascular risk for women increases significantly during this phase. Complications in previous pregnancies (e.g. high blood pressure or gestational diabetes) are also assessed as important risk factors for the future.
The core components of every heart check
Regardless of the specific orientation, every thorough Heart Check In our practice, we conduct a series of fundamental investigations:
On this basis, a decision is made as to which further examinations, such as an exercise ECG or a long-term measurement, make sense for your individual situation.
Frequently asked questions about the heart check
Here we answer common questions that we are asked in connection with a cardiology check-up.
Do I have to wait until I'm 40 for my first heart check?
No. The age of 40 is a general recommendation for symptom-free people with no known risks. However, if you have a family history, risk factors such as smoking or obesity, or if you exercise intensively, a first consultation is recommended. Heart Check This makes perfect sense even at a much earlier age, sometimes as early as 25 or 30.
My last check was 5 years ago. Was it too long ago?
For healthy people with normal initial findings, an interval of 5 years may be appropriate. However, from the age of 45 or in the presence of risk factors, shorter intervals of 2-3 years are recommended for a Heart Check recommended, as risk factors such as blood pressure can change more quickly.
I have high blood pressure. How often should my heart be checked?
If you are known to have high blood pressure, regular checks are essential. In addition to routine blood pressure checks, your cardiologist will usually carry out a blood pressure test once a year. Heart Check with ECG and cardiac ultrasound to check whether the high pressure has already left its mark on the heart.
Does the heart check also cover the risk of stroke?
Yes, indirectly and very effectively. The main risk factors for an ischemic stroke (the most common form) are the same as for a heart attack: high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and arteriosclerosis of the arteries supplying the brain. All these aspects are analyzed as part of a comprehensive Heart Check systematically examined (e.g. by 24-hour blood pressure measurement, ECG and ultrasound of the carotid arteries).
What is the difference between a heart check and a “manager check-up“?
Cardiovascular module: Your top cardiology diagnostics as an indispensable part of the Düsseldorf company check-up.
I'm afraid of the results. Should I come anyway?
Especially then. Uncertainty and fear are often more stressful than reality. A Heart Check provides clarity. In the best case scenario, you will receive the reassuring news that everything is in order. And if a problem is found, the best news is to discover it early, because then we have the best treatment options.
How accurately can a heart check predict my risk?
Modern cardiology uses scientifically validated risk scores that calculate the statistical probability of a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years based on your individual values (age, gender, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.). A Heart Check provides the precise data to determine this score for you individually and give you a very accurate risk assessment.
Can I have only parts of a heart check carried out?
Yes, the scope of the examination will always be discussed with you individually. If, for example, you only have a specific question or would like to repeat a single examination, this is of course possible. The comprehensive Heart Check however, is our recommended program for holistic preventive care.
Is a heart check exhausting?
Most of the examination (interview, ECG, ultrasound) is completely relaxed. Only the stress ECG requires physical exertion on the bicycle ergometer. However, this is adapted to your individual fitness level and carried out under constant medical supervision, so that you never have to feel overwhelmed.
What is the first step to my heart check in Düsseldorf?
The first step is the easiest: make an appointment at our practice in Düsseldorf. Our team will clarify all further questions with you and find a suitable time for your comprehensive screening.
Your heart accompanies you throughout your life - support it with the right preventive care
A Heart Check is a gesture of appreciation towards your own body and the best basis for a long, active life. At Dr. Raphael Bruno's practice, you will receive preventive care tailored to your needs at the highest medical level. Take your health into your own hands and make an appointment today.
Opening hours:
Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 08:00 - 12:00
Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00
Friday: 08:00 - 13:00
Appointments by arrangement.
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