Essential heart health tests every woman should know about and when to get them.
Blood pressure: at least annually from age 18. Cholesterol (lipid panel): every 4–6 years from age 20, more often if risk factors present. Blood glucose: every 3 years from age 45 (earlier if overweight or family history). Weight/BMI: at every healthcare visit.
ECG (electrocardiogram): records heart's electrical activity — used if symptoms or risk factors present. Stress test: monitors heart during exercise. Echocardiogram: ultrasound of the heart. Coronary calcium score: CT scan measuring calcium in arteries — may be recommended for intermediate-risk women.
Start blood pressure checks in your 20s. Cholesterol screening from 20, especially with family history. Diabetes screening from 35–45, earlier if overweight. Women with pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes) or autoimmune conditions should start earlier and screen more frequently.
Your doctor can calculate your 10-year cardiovascular risk using tools that factor in age, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status and diabetes. This guides decisions about lifestyle changes versus medication. Women with high risk benefit from more aggressive prevention.