Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death globally? According to the American Heart Association, about 2,500 people in the United States die of cardiovascular disease each day and 941,000 each year. What’s particularly staggering about this number is that experts estimate that between 80 and 90 percent of heart disease is preventable. It’s important to know your risk factors, work towards a healthy lifestyle, and see a cardiologist if you are in a high-risk group.
Cardiologist see a wide range of patients, and cardiovascular disease is more than just heart problems. Cardiovascular conditions affect the entire cardiovascular system, including the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Cardiologists are experts in treating these issues, and the most common cardiovascular diseases that they treat are coronary artery disease, pericardial disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, heart valve disease, and disease of the heart muscle.
How do you know if you are at risk for heart disease? Your genetics and family history certainly play a role, and if there is a history of heart disease among your relatives, you are likely at higher risk. However, there are other risk factors too, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. You are at risk of heart disease if you smoke, drink heavily, are overweight, don’t exercise regularly, or are unable to manage your stress.
When you think of heart disease symptoms, you might imagine chest pain, or discomfort in the chest, arms, and neck. Sometimes those are the symptoms, but heart disease can also have more subtle signs. Shortness of breath, sweating, and dizziness are all signs of heart disease, and so are nausea, fatigue, swollen legs and feet, a chronic cough, and an irregular heartbeat. Heart disease can sometimes feel like indigestion, which is a problem because it’s often ignored or overlooked. If you have any of these symptoms, or you feel “off”, see your doctor to determine the cause of the problem. It might not be heart disease, but if it is, catching it early identifies risks and allows for less invasive treatments to manage or even reverse damage.
Fortunately, there are many different ways to treat heart disease. The first step is to have diagnostic testing, to determine exactly what is going on. After that, your doctor might determine that medication is the best option for you, or perhaps a device that monitors your heart from your home, or a procedure that delivers a small electric shock to get your heart working correctly. There are also minimally invasive procedures that use a catheter to reach a blockage, rather than moving on to open heart surgery.
Modern medicine offers doctors many ways to address heart disease surgically, and with interventional procedures. Today, cardiologists can even replace the aortic valve through a catheter or repair a mitral valve using a clip. They can create a new pathway for blood to flow around a blocked coronary artery, using a surgery called a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG). There are also implantable devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, to help keep the heart beating. However, the best treatment for heart disease is prevention.
With the right lifestyle modifications and medication, it is possible to remain healthy, despite cardiovascular issues. To maintain your heart health, start by adopting a nutritious diet, focusing on nutrient dense, whole foods, and steering clear of processed foods. Make sure you get regular exercise, and don’t smoke. Focus on good quality sleep, as well, improving your sleeping habits if necessary. Schedule regular checkups with your doctor, and if you are at risk of heart disease, seek treatment from a cardiologist.
When looking for a heart specialist, look for a cardiologist that will work with you to find the right treatment plan for your unique situation. A cardiologist should have education, experience, and certification, as well as a good reputation. However, it is also important to choose a heart specialist with whom you have a rapport, so that you can work together to keep your heart healthy.
If you want to have your cardiac wellness assessed, or you’d like to know about heart disease management options, the talented team at Twin Lakes Heart & Vein Center is here for you. Since 1993, we have been providing cardiovascular care for the community in Boca Raton, offering unparalleled care through a preventative, patient-centered approach. Committed to building life-long relationships with our patients, we use leading-edge technology and a comprehensive approach to heart health to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle. In this way, we are able to provide enhanced outcomes for a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us through our website.
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