Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States—but it is also one of the most preventable. The key is identifying risk before symptoms appear and having the time and access needed to act on that information.
That’s where modern, prevention‑focused primary care—and especially Direct Primary Care—can make a meaningful difference.
Heart Disease Often Develops Quietly
Most people don’t wake up one day with heart disease. It develops slowly through changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation, and lifestyle habits over many years. Unfortunately, in traditional healthcare settings, visits are often short and reactive, making early detection harder.
Prevention works best when your doctor has the time to look at the whole picture—not just one lab value or one visit.
Foundational Heart Screenings Everyone Should Know About
These screenings form the backbone of cardiovascular prevention and are appropriate for most adults:
Blood pressure checks to identify hypertension, often without symptoms
Cholesterol testing to assess plaque‑forming risk
Blood sugar testing to screen for diabetes and insulin resistance
Lifestyle review including sleep, stress, physical activity, and nutrition
When addressed early and consistently, these factors dramatically reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Advanced Screening Options to Consider
For patients with family history, multiple risk factors, or unclear overall risk, additional screening may provide valuable insight:
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring: A CT scan that detects early plaque in coronary arteries
Advanced lipid testing: Goes beyond standard cholesterol numbers
Electrocardiogram (EKG): Screens for rhythm abnormalities or prior silent injury
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), testing: A simple blood test that identifies an inherited cholesterol particle associated with higher lifetime risk of heart disease and aortic valve disease. Lp(a) is largely genetic, remains stable over time, and is not included on routine cholesterol panels. Many professional societies now recommend at least a one‑time Lp(a) test in adulthood, especially for individuals with a family history of early heart disease or unexplained cardiovascular risk 1.
Cardiovascular risk scoring tools: Combine multiple factors to estimate long‑term risk
These tests are not one‑size‑fits‑all. The value comes from deciding which tools make sense for which patient.
Why Direct Primary Care Makes a Difference
Direct Primary Care (DPC) removes insurance billing from the exam room, allowing physicians to spend more time with patients and focus on prevention rather than paperwork 2. This model is especially well suited for cardiovascular risk assessment because it allows:
Longer, unhurried visits
Personalized screening decisions
Ongoing follow‑up instead of one‑time labs
Clear conversations about family history and lifetime risk
When care is relationship‑based, screening becomes proactive instead of reactive.
The Goal: Prevention, Not Fear
Heart screening is not about labeling people as “high risk.” It’s about identifying opportunity—opportunity to intervene early, personalize care, and prevent future complications.
February is Heart Month, but prevention is a year‑round commitment.
Because Your Heart Deserves More Than a Rushed Visit
At Keys Health Direct Primary Care, we focus on prevention‑first, relationship‑driven care. If you’re interested in a more personalized approach to heart health—including thoughtful use of advanced screening when appropriate—we’d be happy to schedule you a free consultation to learn about our office and see how we can help you.
Learn more at keyshealthdpc.com
Call or text 816-265-9270 to get started.
Your heart health deserves time, access, and attention—not rushed visits.