An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) is a simple test that measures the electrical activity of your heart.
eye
The retina can be damaged if red blood cells in the eye become sickle-shaped and block blood flow. This is called retinopathy. The retina is the inner lining of the eye that acts like a camera lens. It receives images that you see and sends them to your brain as a picture. Damage to the retina can affect your vision.
If the retina is damaged, an ophthalmologist may recommend laser treatments to the eye.
If you have any eye trauma, immediately call your provider to look for bleeding inside the front of the eye. The medical term for this complication is “traumatic hyphema.” If not treated, bleeding inside the eye can cause blindness.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a virus that affects your liver. This virus is spread from one person to another through infected blood or other body fluids.
Stroke
A silent stroke is an injury to the brain that does not have any physical signs, such as weakness or trouble speaking.
A silent stroke can cause poor school or work performance, increased forgetfulness, or trouble following simple directions. A silent stroke can make it difficult to succeed in certain work situations.
Other prevention checklist
For you and your health care provider
Heart
🄯 If you are not having symptoms of heart problems, you don’t need an EKG.
Eye
🄯 A provider that specializes in the care of the eye (ophthalmologist) should look at your retina at least once every 2 years, starting at 10 years of age.
🄯 If the retina is damaged, an ophthalmologist may recommend laser treatments to the eye.
Hepatitis C
🄯 You will probably need to be tested for the hepatitis C virus if you:
were born between 1945 and 1965
have had a lot of blood transfusions.
Stroke
🄯 Talk with your provider about whether you should get an MRI to look for a silent stroke if you have not had one as an adult or if you are preparing to transition to the adult clinic.
🄯 If you have had a silent stroke, talk with your provider about getting neuropsychological testing to figure out how strong your brain is.
🄯 If you have had a silent stroke, talk with your provider about getting blood transfusions on a regular basis.
🄯 If you are not able to get blood transfusions on a regular basis, talk with your provider about taking hydroxyurea.
