Your heart pumps millions of gallons of blood to all parts of your body. The heart also helps your body get rid of toxins. However, most people often bring down the effectiveness with which the heart works by following a lifestyle that consists of poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking. When this vital organ doesn’t do its job properly, you are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. To make sure that your heart is beating well, it’s better to get a regular heart health checkup. After assessing your risk of having a heart problem, the doctor can support you in lowering the risk.

Here are few important screening tests that will help you understand your heart health:

• Blood Pressure: This is one of the most important screenings as high blood pressure shows no symptoms. Until you get your blood pressure measured, there is no way you would know whether your blood pressure is low or high. It is advisable to get your blood pressure checked at regular intervals. If your blood pressure is already on the higher side, then it is suggested that you get it checked more often. With medication and lifestyle changes, you can keep your blood pressure in check.
• Cholesterol levels: A complete cholesterol test, also known as lipid profile, can help your doctor know about the presence of good and bad cholesterol in your blood. The levels of bad cholesterol will help the doctor in determining whether you are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke. By the age of 35, you should start getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly.
• Bodyweight: Maintaining a healthy weight can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes and many other medical problems. You should get your BMI checked during your routine visit. The body mass index (BMI) tells you whether your weight is on the healthier side or not. If you are overweight, losing weight can help you lower your chances of developing certain medical conditions.
• Blood Glucose levels: High blood glucose levels put you at the risk of developing diabetes which can lead to serious health problems like cardiovascular diseases, stroke and even eye problems like cataract and glaucoma. To avoid complications, it is best to keep your glucose levels under check.

While it is good to routinely get health check-ups done, life is full of unpredictable twists and turns. The last thing you would want is to be diagnosed with a critical illness disease. Though it sounds scary, it is better to be prepared to deal with an unfortunate situation. Having health insurance with critical illness cover can prevent critical illness from adversely affecting the financial health of your family. SBI General’s Critical Illness Insurance Policy covers 13 critical illnesses including end-stage kidney failure, stroke and paralysis. The policy provides you with a lump sum amount in case you suffer from any of the 13 critical illnesses, after the applicable waiting period. The policy can cover overruns that regular medical insurance policies are unable to cover.

Disclaimer: SBI General Insurance Company Limited I Corporate & Registered Office: 'Natraj', 301, Junction of Western Express Highway & Andheri - Kurla Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400 069. | The information in the advertisement is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale. * ‘Tax benefits are subject to changes in tax laws’ I 'For SBI General Insurance Company Limited IRDAI Reg. No. 144 dated 15/12/2009 | CIN: U66000MH2009PLC190546 | SBI Logo displayed belongs to State Bank of India and used by SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd. under license.| UIN: SBIHLIP11004V011011 | ADDIG/20-21/AUG/653