A regular schedule of general and cardiovascular examinations may help prevent some conditions from occurring and detect the early onset of others. However, because many factors play a role in the development of heart disease, it may not be possible to completely hold cardiovascular problems at bay.

As vital as routine examinations are for good heart health, it is also important to be attentive to any possible symptoms that may arise and to seek medical attention promptly. Heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes are just a few of the conditions that can be detected and managed before they become life threatening.

Although physical and cardiovascular examinations should become a regular part of an adult's wellness program, many people do not see a physician regularly. Statistically, women are more likely to get regular checkups than men. This may partly be because women typically make their gynecologic exam a regular part of their health maintenance, providing an opportunity for a health professional to catch a problem or potential problem early.

In addition, government agencies and corporate sponsors often promote women's health care but not men's. For example, the American Heart Association and other organizations tout a highly publicized "Go Red for Women" cardiac-health program but nothing comparable for men.

Studies have found that men typically seek medical attention when something "feels" wrong. This can be problematic, as men remain at a higher risk than premenopausal women for developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.