Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the the U.S., responsible for about 1 out of every 4 deaths that occur. Although heart disease tends to be thought of as a medical problem that only occurs at an older age or almost solely affects men, both of those assumptions are untrue – and could be dangerous to your health. In fact, heart disease can develop at any age, and heart disease is the top cause of death for both sexes. And what’s more, people with certain risk factors can be at a much greater risk for heart disease and the problems it can cause.
The good news: Preventive cardiology can help you reduce your risks of heart disease by identifying risk factors associated with the disease and providing you with the guidance and care you need to address those problems and improve your cardiovascular health.
Preventive Cardiology: What Is It?
Your heart is a muscle, and like any muscle, it needs to be kept in good shape in order to continue to function properly. Preventive cardiology starts with a thorough assessment of the heart and cardiovascular system, using an array of tests and evaluations, including:
- a blood pressure evaluations
- weight and body mass index (BMI) calculations
- EKGs to evaluate the heart’s electrical activity
- blood tests to assess levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose (blood sugar) and other factors
- echocardiograms (ultrasound evaluations of the heart)
- cardiac stress testing, used to evaluate how the heart functions during strenuous physical activity
In addition, the cardiologist will ask for an in-depth personal and family medical history as well as information about the patient’s lifestyle and habits, like tobacco, alcohol and drug use, physical activity levels, stress management and other issues that can affect heart health.
At the conclusion of the evaluation, patients will be provided with a customized treatment plan including guidance to help them improve unhealthy behaviors so they can reduce their risks for cardiovascular diseases. Additional testing may also be ordered, depending on the results of the initial evaluations.
Who benefits from preventive cardiology?
Considering heart disease is so prevalent, just about any adult can benefit from preventive care. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends regular cardiovascular screening beginning at age 20. While the tests and evaluations used in preventive care can benefit healthy men and women with no known risk factors for heart disease, they’re especially important for those with known risk factors like:
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- family history of heart disease
- history of smoking
- obesity
- sedentary lifestyle
- personal history of diseases that affect the cardiovascular system, like Marfan’s syndrome or rheumatic fever
Cardiac Specialists in San Luis Obispo
Ready to take that first step toward better cardiovascular health? Call Premier Heart and Vein Care at 805-979-4777 and schedule an evaluation today.
