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If you are health conscious, you will know that regular health level measurement for early detection of cardiovascular disease, or CVD, is very important. Regular health evaluation of blood pressure and pulse can help identify early signs of CVD, including the risk for heart attack or stroke. Recent studies, however, have found that socioeconomic status may also be an indicator for the possible development of CVD. In this article we will discuss the research and how this may apply to your health.

 

How does education and income affect the risk for cardiovascular disease?

 

Health care providers have been aware for a while that people with less education have a higher risk of developing CVD, but in the past research studies to back up this knowledge were lacking. An Australian study has attempted to correct this lack of quality research. This study, conducted by researchers at the Australian National University, used data from the 45 and Up Study conducted by the Sax Institute. This study involved data collected through baseline and follow up questionnaires completed by 267,153 men and women from New South Wales, Australia. These questionnaires were used to analyze a variety of health issues, including CVD.

 

The Australian National University study took the data from the 45 and Up Study and compared the development of major CVD events, including heart attack and stroke, to level of education and socioeconomic status. The study found that people without a high school diploma were twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or a stroke as people with a university degree. People with a high school diploma were about 20% more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than people with a university degree. The study also showed an inverse relation between level of income and risk for heart attack or stroke – people with lower income levels were more likely to experience a CVD event.

 

Another study, conducted by researchers at the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, collected data on 61,332 people in 44 countries who had either suffered a heart attack or stroke or who had several risk factors that could lead to the development of a CVD event. This study also found that people in high income countries with higher levels of education had a lower risk of developing CVD.

 

A third study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed data from the Jackson Heart Study in Jackson, Mississippi. African-American adults ranging in age from 21 to 94 years old, a total of 5301 in all, were enrolled in the study in 2000 and followed for over 7 years. The results of this analysis showed that lower levels of education and income significantly increased the risk of CVD for African-Americans, especially women. This study also found that income had more of an impact on the risk for CVD than education for African-Americans.

 

What can be done to monitor health for possible cardiovascular disease?

 

The above research points out that people with higher levels of education and income have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack or stroke. Researchers suggest that this isn't because they are smarter than everybody else, but that they have better access to health care and health insurance. Individuals with good health insurance coverage can afford to visit the doctor regularly to be checked for symptoms of CVD. A doctor will monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and other health indicators, and will look for signs of changes in those indicators that might mean early development of CVD. A doctor might charge $200 or more per visit for this kind of monitoring, which is not affordable for everyone.

 

The good news is that modern technology now allows people to complete health screening at home. By using home health testing equipment such as that available through HomeLab, a person can check his or her own health status and send the information gathered to his or her doctor, rather than going in for a visit every time a health check is needed. The equipment used for monitoring health at home is easy to use and the data can be uploaded to a computer or Smartphone, making it simple to transmit information to a doctor without paying for an office visit. Online health measurement in this way is much less expensive than visiting a doctor in person to monitor symptoms. If your doctor receives your self-assessment data and sees a result that needs to be checked, you can then make an appointment for a necessary office visit. It is important to note that monitoring health at home is not a substitute for medical care when you really need it. If your doctor looks at your data and tells you to come in for a visit, you need to go.

 

If you are at higher risk for developing CVD due to your education, income, or any other factors, consider using HomeLab for your health and wellness tracking. You will be able to detect any warning signs very early and you may save yourself some money on healthcare in the long run. Please visit www.thequantihealth.com for more information.