Preventive cardiology is a medical field that helps you manage your cardiovascular condition to stop it from worsening. It primarily involves identifying your risk factors for heart disease, developing a plan to lower your risk factors, and treating the existing conditions. Preventive cardiology Upper East Side emphasizes keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy to prevent heart diseases. It is a form of preventive medicine that significantly impacts your overall health and well-being. Your doctor customizes your preventive cardiology program depending on your risk factors and underlying medical issues.
What are the different types of preventive cardiology?
Primary prevention: This type of preventive cardiology helps you prevent heart or blood vessel issues before they cause a heart attack, stroke, or surgery.
Secondary prevention; This form of preventive cardiology is beneficial after you have had a heart problem. It stops heart disease and prevents it from worsening.
When should you consider preventive cardiology?
Your doctor can recommend preventive cardiology if you have a family history of heart conditions, stroke, high cholesterol, or peripheral artery disease. You can also consider preventive cardiology if you have high blood pressure, or diabetes, are overweight or obese, use tobacco products or eat an unhealthy diet.
Which tests should you expect during your preventive cardiology program?
Depending on your risk factors and symptoms, your specialist can recommend various tests during preventive cardiology appointments, which may include:
Blood test: A blood test can help check your cholesterol and blood sugar.
Electrocardiogram: This test shows your heart activity and can help detect problems like arrhythmias.
Stress test: Your specialist uses a stress test to check cardiac and metabolic activity when your body is in motion or exercising.
Echocardiogram: This test involves your doctor using a non-invasive ultrasound system to observe your heart function.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan shows your heart images from different angles.
Cardiac catheterization: This test measures the pressure of your arteries and cardiac activities.
Which treatments should you expect in your preventive cardiology plan?
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes are an essential step in preventive cardiology. If you are obese, your doctor can help create an exercise program to help you lose weight. Exercise also helps prevent and manage heart issues by strengthening heart muscles. Avoiding smoking and alcohol use are also important changes in preventive cardiology. Also, ensure you eat a healthy diet. Your cardiologist can refer you to a nutritionist to guide you on the best foods that suit your condition.
Medications
Your doctor can recommend medications to manage your heart problem. Medicines can also help treat underlying conditions like high blood pressure that can lead to heart conditions.
Surgery
Your doctor can recommend surgery for certain heart issues that do not improve with medications and lifestyle modifications. For example, placing a stent in your heart can help strengthen the venous walls.
Preventive cardiology is a medical specialty that identifies your risk factors for heart disease, treats your underlying issue, and develops preventive measures to lower your risk factors. It mostly involves lifestyle modifications and medications to treat underlying conditions. Schedule an appointment at Upper East Side Cardiology for preventive cardiology to manage your heart disease.
