How Do I Lower My Heart Rate?
With heart disease the cause of one-quarter of the deaths in the U.S., it pays to be aware of your options. Take heed if your doctor tells you you have cardiac risk factors, and seek the opinion of a cardiologist soon. A cardiac specialist can recommend the best course of action to keep you healthy.
When you go in for Arizona cardiovascular treatment, you can benefit from comprehensive medical cardiology. This branch of heart disease care uses the latest technology to evaluate your heart health and assess your best options.
Assessment of Cardiac Risk
The process of medical cardiology begins when heart doctors assess different factors that affect the overall health status of your cardiovascular system. The cardiologist may ask about your family and personal health history related to heart disease. You might also explain your lifestyle, such as the types of foods you normally choose, what kind of exercise you do, if any, and whether you drink alcohol, use caffeine, or smoke.
In addition, the following may be measured.
- Cholesterol levels, or levels of total, “bad” LDL, and “good” HDL cholesterol.
- Triglyceride levels.
- Blood pressure.
- Height and weight, or BMI.
Early Detection and Conservative Treatment
Early detection of cardiac disease or risk factors for heart disease can make managing those risk factors easier. Heart doctors can recommend a healthier lifestyle for you, such as changes you can make to your diet and safe and enjoyable ways to exercise. They can provide tips for losing weight and refer you to smoking cessation programs.
You may be placed on medications, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-hypertensives to lower blood pressure, or anti-coagulants to prevent blood clots. If necessary, you could undergo a stenting procedure to open up arteries.
Prevention of Cardiac Events
The goal of medical cardiology is to identify symptoms and risk factors so you can prevent serious events that can be debilitating or even fatal. Examples include the following.
- Cardiac arrest, or cessation of heart function.
- Heart failure, or inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
- Stroke, or blockage of blood flow to the brain.
- Aneurysm, or bulge in an artery wall that can burst and bleed internally.
These are serious conditions, and preventing them is worth every visit to the cardiologist. It is because they are potentially fatal that it is true that medical cardiology could save your life.
Heart disease is no joke, since it affects millions and kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. The best way to manage heart disease is to approach it full-on in an Arizona cardiovascular treatment center. Medical cardiologists can provide a comprehensive evaluation and prognosis so you can get the best possible care for your condition.
Related posts
