Some cardiologists believe so. In fact, they have created a formula that can estimate your risk of dying in the next ten years—with a treadmill and some mathematics. This formula is known as the FIT Treadmill Score and it takes into account your age, gender, and fitness level. Your fitness level is measured based on your peak heart rate and the amount of energy your body uses during an exercise stress test. During an exercise stress test, you will be told to walk on a treadmill while an EKG test is being conducted. Over time, the speed and elevation on the treadmill will be increased. This allows the cardiologists to monitor how well your heart works under stress, and whether you have a heart abnormality.
Exercise stress tests are already commonly used by cardiologists in Singapore. However, they only provide a ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ result. With this new FIT Treadmill Score, researchers now believe that even those who receive normal results on a stress test can have a good gauge of their mortality in the decade ahead. The formula was developed by cardiologists from John Hopkins University School of Medicine, after analysing data from over 58,000 stress tests. With the FIT Treadmill Score, it’s easy for individuals to better understand their state of health in a meaningful way, one that could motivate them to lead a healthier life.
To check for heart abnormalities, take a stress test today. Call our friendly medical concierge at +65 6679 7867 or email us at customercare@tmcg.com.sg. References: