Our current medical system is often “old school”—it waits for you to get sick before it offers a solution. But as we discussed when we looked at why “feeling fine” isn’t a strategy, heart disease claims more women’s lives than all cancers combined.

We are proactive with mammograms; why aren’t we as proactive with our hearts? A “superficial” checkup isn’t enough to uncover the risks that lead to unexpected crises. As we saw in Eleanor’s story of having “perfect numbers” on paper —  while her heart was secretly struggling, standard labs don’t always tell the whole story.

This means looking deeper at advanced lipid testing and vascular imaging to catch problems before they start. If you’ve ever felt like a standard checkup wasn’t enough, it’s time for a more thorough look.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for education only and does not replace medical advice. Seek emergency care for severe symptoms.