The three cardiovascular warning items, generally referred to as screening tests in a physical examination, include blood pressure, electrocardiogram and neck Doppler ultrasound.
Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and the onset of malignant cardiovascular events. A blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or less is considered normal, and hypertensive patients should try to keep their blood pressure within the target range while taking medication.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important means of detecting heart rhythm and myocardial ischemia. It may detect early asymptomatic myocardial ischemia or arrhythmia and is one of the early warning signs of coronary heart disease. Normal ECG is sinus rhythm with regular rhythm and heart rate of 60~100 beats/min.
Neck Doppler ultrasound detects the presence of cervical stenosis, plaque and hemodynamic changes. The intracerebral branches of the cervical vessels are the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery, and significant stenosis or plaque detachment may cause ischemia in the corresponding functional areas, resulting in cerebrovascular accidents.
If problems are found in the above examinations, prompt medical attention should be sought to avoid delaying the condition.