Heart disease prevention is advisable for people who might have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. An assessment is also beneficial for individuals who want to improve their lifestyle and heart health. Here are some things to know about preventive cardiology:
Risk-Factor Identification
In preventive cardiology, your provider works to identify your risks of developing cardiovascular disease and determine the appropriate treatment. They may review your family history and ask if other relatives have had heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. A cardiologist should also go through your medical history to see if you’ve experienced heart attacks, heart surgeries, and high blood pressure. Another way to assess the possibility of developing heart disease is by examining your diet, physical activity, and smoking habits.
To know whether a patient has diabetes or prediabetes, a specialist can conduct blood tests. They might measure body mass index to determine whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. A healthcare provider may decide to perform a stress test to assess how the heart performs under physical activity, revealing any potential issues in blood flow.
Lifestyle Changes
If a cardiologist identifies lifestyle factors that could increase the risk of developing heart disease, they may make recommendations to support your heart health. To reduce inflammation, your provider may suggest you eat a nutritious diet containing fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Reducing the amount of salt you put in your food helps manage health conditions like hypertension. To monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar, it is beneficial to schedule regular check-ups with your healthcare provider.
When you perform physical activities like cycling, swimming, or walking, you can often maintain healthier blood pressure, improve your circulation, prevent unhealthy weight gain, and decrease other heart stressors. Quitting smoking is one way to prevent heart attacks and boost your heart health. Too much stress can lead to high blood pressure, so managing stress through meditation and yoga helps prevent heart illnesses.
Medical Interventions
A cardiologist might prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, which may lead to heart attacks and strokes. If you have high blood pressure, a cardiology expert can provide medications that help prevent damage to blood vessels. For patients with diabetes, medications such as metformin or insulin therapy may help control blood sugar levels. Some medications can help with weight loss or prevent weight gain, which is also helpful for individuals with diabetes.
For those with certain conditions that increase clot risk, a cardiologist could prescribe anticoagulants to manage the issue. A provider should select medications based on the patient’s specific risk factors and health needs to improve their heart health. They start with a lower dose and adjust it depending on how well you are responding to the medicine or therapy.
Schedule a Preventive Cardiology Appointment
Preventive cardiology entails identifying risk factors and developing a plan with a provider to manage them. If you have existing conditions, a cardiologist aims to treat them to prevent the disease from progressing and impacting your health. To learn more about your heart health, call a trusted clinic today to book an appointment for an assessment.
Expert in glasses with 8 years of experience, Isabella Lane dives into the world of eyewear. Explore their insightful content on the latest trends, lens technology and styling tips for a clearer vision.