Preventive cardiology is a medical specialty that helps you manage heart disease risk factors. It involves your doctor identifying your risk of developing heart disease, preventing heart issues, and treating existing heart-related conditions. Preventive cardiology Upper East Side aims at early prevention to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Since preventive cardiology plays a big role in your overall health, you may receive care from different specialties during the appointments. Preventive care mostly includes treating your underlying condition that may lead to heart disease and changing lifestyle habits to prevent heart conditions and manage existing health issues.
Which are the types of preventive cardiology?
Primary prevention: This form of preventive cardiology helps you prevent heart or blood vessel issues before you have a situation like a heart attack or stroke.
Secondary prevention: This type of preventive cardiology is beneficial after you experience a heart event. The main aim is to stop the heart problem and prevent it from worsening.
When should you consider preventive cardiology?
You can get preventive cardiology if you have a family history of heart attacks, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Preventive cardiology is also essential if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, are overweight, smoke cigarettes, or eat an unhealthy diet.
Which tests should you expect during a preventive cardiology appointment?
Electrocardiogram: This test records your heart activity and problems such as arrhythmias.
Electrocardiogram: This test uses a non-invasive ultrasound system to detect heart function.
Stress test: Your doctor can use a stress test to observe cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic activity when your body is in motion or exercising.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan obtains several images of your heart from different angles.
Cardiac MRI: Doctors use this test to observe the heart in three dimensions and its activity.
Cardiac catheterization: This test involves your specialist inserting a catheter through an incision in your groin until it reaches the arteries. It helps measure the pressure of your arteries and cardiac activities.
Which treatments should you expect in preventive cardiology?
Healthy habits
Healthy habits are the first step in preventive cardiology. Your doctor will guide you on the best exercises to help prevent or manage your heart condition. Exercise can help you lose weight if you are obese and strengthen your heart muscles. A healthy diet is also essential during preventive cardiology. Your cardiologist may refer you to a nutritionist to guide you on the best foods suitable for your condition.
Pharmacology treatment
Depending on your heart condition, your doctor may recommend medications to control your heart condition. The drugs may help treat heart disease or underlying conditions like high blood pressure that can lead to heart problems.
Surgery
If lifestyle changes and medications do not improve your heart condition, your specialist may suggest surgery. For example, you may have a preventive surgery like placing a stent in your heart to strengthen the venous walls.
Preventive cardiology focuses on preventing heart diseases and treating and managing underlying conditions that can cause heart diseases. If you have a heart condition, your doctor will create a treatment plan to prevent the progression of your heart problem. Schedule an appointment at Upper East Side Cardiology for preventive cardiology to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.
