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Tri City CardiologyTri City Cardiology
Tri City Cardiology
Leaders in Cardiovascular Excellence

Phone: 480-835-6100
Fax: 480-461-4243

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Although heart disease is serious, it’s also very preventable if you’re willing to practice some healthy habits.

Keeping our hearts strong is the key to a long, healthy life, and the dangers of failing to do so are very real. In 2015 and 2016 — the most recent years for which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published mortality rates — heart disease accounted for 23% of all deaths, topping both cancer and accidents.

Fortunately, heart disease, heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes are all preventable. In fact, it’s estimated that around 80% of cardiovascular ailments can be avoided by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and regularly monitoring important indicators of your cardiovascular health. Here’s what you need to know to keep your heart strong throughout your life.

A Checklist for Your Heart Health

Having a family history of the disease increases your risk of heart disease. Your risk also rises as you grow older. And while these factors are out of your control, you can support your cardiovascular health by putting the following seven tips into action:

 

  1. Stop smoking. Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals that damage blood vessels. When these blood vessels narrow, plaque accumulates, cutting off blood flow to the heart and leading to atherosclerosis — a leading risk factor for heart attacks. Simply put, if you smoke, quit now. Doing so will greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a heart attack down the line.

 

  1. Exercise. A half-hour of moderate exercise five times per week is key to maintaining a healthy heart. You can meet this benchmark by taking a brisk walk or engaging in other aerobic activities like cycling or swimming. Of course, you can combine these moderate workouts with more vigorous exercises like running, and if you’re able to, it’s recommended that you strength train at least two days per week. That said, you don’t necessarily need to follow a formal exercise program to stay healthy. Working around the house, gardening, and walking up stairs all count as exercise.

 

  1. Control your weight. Another benefit of exercise is that it maintains your weight at an ideal level. Carrying extra pounds multiplies your chances of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol — all of which have been implicated in heart disease. In most cases, you can mitigate these conditions by losing weight.

 

  1. Know your vital numbers. Starting at an early age, you should get your vital numbers checked by a doctor. What are these numbers? They are the metrics that measure your blood pressure, blood sugar, bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides (a type of fat). A blood pressure reading of 120/80 is considered healthy, while your LDL should be less than 70 milligrams per deciliter. Further, not unlike smoking, high blood sugar damages blood vessels, so you need to be regularly tested for diabetes.

 

  1. Get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep not only makes you tired, but is also potentially damaging to your heart. When we don’t sleep for seven to nine hours per night, our risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes rises. People who suffer from sleep apnea — an inability to sleep through the night because of interrupted breathing — are at a higher risk for heart disease. As such, if you have sleep apnea — or any other condition that prevents you from sleeping — it’s important to talk to your doctor about treatment options.

 

  1. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Instead of consuming foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium, consider following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. DASH meals are filled with vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils. Following the DASH diet reduces your risk of hypertension and diabetes in addition to lowering bad cholesterol.

 

  1. Consult a cardiologist. Starting in your 20s, you should see a cardiologist to have your current heart status evaluated with an electrocardiogram and/or other diagnostic tests. Following your initial assessment, track your cardiovascular health by receiving regular blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol screenings. Any changes in these numbers can be managed with medication. At the end of the day, dealing with any sign of heart disease early will prevent more serious problems down the road.

We Care for Your Heart

The doctors at Tri-City Cardiology are experts in cardiovascular care. Diagnosing and treating heart problems and vascular disorders is our specialty. Your heart health is important to us, so make an appointment today to keep your heart strong for many years to come.

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ABOUT

At Tri-City Cardiology, patient satisfaction is a top priority. Our team of physicians and staff are dedicated to providing you with high quality care and outstanding patient service so that every encounter is a positive experience!

Our physicians work closely with East Valley hospitals to bring state-of-the-art diagnostic, treatment, and preventative services to the community.


OUR LOCATIONS
CONTACT US

Tri-City Cardiology
Phone: 480-835-6100
Fax: 480-461-4243

Baywood:
6750 E. Baywood Ave., Suite 301
Mesa, AZ 85206
Arrhythmia Center: Suite 506

Fiesta:
1580 N Fiesta Blvd Ste 100
Gilbert, AZ 85233

Val Vista:
3530 S. Val Vista Dr., Suite 103
Gilbert, AZ 85297
San Tan Valley:
36543 N. Gantzel Rd., Building 15
Suite 101
San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
Tri-City Cardiology Vein Center and Tri-City Superstition
6402 E Superstition Springs Blvd., Ste 114 Mesa, AZ 85206
Administration – 6343 E Main St Ste 12
Mesa, AZ 85205

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