What Climbing a Flight of Stairs May Reveal About the Health of Your Heart
Do you have difficulty climbing a row of stairs quickly? Do you experience heavy breathing and palpitations while doing so? It could tell something about your heart.
Doctors say that if you can climb a couple of flights of stairs without stopping, it can indicate a healthy heart. The time taken to do this exercise is also important. If you can complete the climb in less than a minute, you are young at heart. If you have taken more time, you must dial your doctor for an appointment.
Those who take more time to climb stairs may have abnormal heart function. It is a potential sign of coronary heart disease.
A Staircase Climbing Test Or a Lab Test?
Staircase climbing is a good way of assessing your general health and that of your heart as well. While a stress test is a more scientific way of determining the health of your heart, staircase climbing is a simple test that can be done anytime, anywhere, to get a broad idea of your health parameters. If the time you are taking for the climb is not within the suggested frame, you can schedule a visit to the after hours clinic Alexandria VA near you. Here you can get a stress test done without any recommendation from your family physician.
A scientific method of testing the health of your heart, such as the stress test, can provide an advanced sign of a heart problem. It is better to get tested at a reputed after hours clinic Alexandria VA even if you don’t have any typical symptoms associated with a weak heart.
Changes in the EKG may provide evidence of heart problems. These tests may also provide physicians with information about underlying conditions such as heartbeat rhythm issues and changes in blood pressure.
Do Not Rely On Tests That Are Not Standardized
However, physicians also warn that this test is not standardized as there are several variables involved, such as the type and height of stairs, and the speed of climbing. The age, fitness level, and underlying ailments can also interfere with the evaluation process. Physicians prefer a more standardized and scientific way of knowing the health condition of a patient. And that is getting tested at a reputed and licensed testing facility such as an after hours urgent care clinic.
Apart from the staircase climbing test, there are other ways of knowing the overall health condition of an individual. The ability to do normal physical exercises without much difficulty and huffing and puffing through the moves can be an indicator of good health. If you can do some vigorous exercises with a fair degree of ease, that’s even better.
With the availability of health check wearables and health tech apps, it is now possible to get reliable data about general health at your home. However, there is no substitute for getting checked in a proper and well-equipped lab for an accurate diagnosis of your condition. You can visit the best after hours urgent clinic Alexandria VA at your convenience to get tested as these clinics are open on all days of the week and also operate extended hours.
