1. The Doctor Tells You to Do So
If your family practitioner advises you to see a cardiologist (or any other specialist), make the call! Your regular doctor has generally seen and examined you many times, so, when things change, he or she will see red flags rising. You need to salute those flags. Your family physician will communicate with that specialist, and they should be fully informed and ready to give you the best care possible.
2. Genetics
If your family history includes several prior incidents of heart troubles, your risk factors are far higher than the average population. Heart disease, in many cases, has a strong genetic component. The more relatives you have with heart troubles or precursors like high cholesterol and hypertension means the more you need to be proactive and get a thorough check-up. Women with a family history of preeclampsia-high blood pressure, either during pregnancy or postpartum, are also high risk. Research suggests that delivering preterm babies is another indicator of brewing problems.
3. Numbers
High blood pressure and high cholesterol often present no symptoms; you need to get tested to know your numbers. Starting with a baseline at around age 20, if your numbers trend upward or, if they rise suddenly and stay up, it’s imperative that you get it under control. Managing blood pressure and cholesterol can be done with diet, exercise, and medication. High blood pressure is a serious risk factor in stroke as well as heart disease, while high cholesterol is among the most significant risks for heart problems.
4. Lifestyle & Related Conditions
Do you smoke? For decades, it’s been known (and ignored), smoking lowers oxygen flow to the heart and increases blood pressure, pulse, and clotting — all huge risk factors for cardio-disease.
Do you have diabetes? Diabetes doesn’t cause heart disease, however, high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and the nerves that regulate heart activity. Type 2 diabetics often suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, which contribute to heart problems.
Do you have gum disease? Poor oral health may not contribute to heart disease, but gum disease often happens when the body is inflamed, making swollen gums a strong indicator of heart disease.
Are you planning to start an exercise program? You can cause an attack by overworking your pump, so, let your cardiologist advise you on how much is safe.
Not on the List:
“I’m having a heart attack!”
At OMNY Vein & Cardiovascular, we strive to provide the best all-around heart and vascular testing for prevention, of cardiovascular problems. We offer heart rhythm testing, sonography, heart stress tests, heart invasive testing, and vascular anatomical & functional evaluation, among others.
Cardiovascular treatment has advanced magnificently in the last few years, and we also offer the latest options when problems arise, but we want to see you before then, so you’ll be arising every morning for many years to come. Contact us by phone at 1-212-319-3977 or online, and let us get you set up for a longer, healthier life.