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All of the following cardiac and vascular conditions are preventable: first heart attack, recurrent heart attack, angina, stroke, atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, congestive heart failure due to heart muscle disease, congestive heart failure due to valvular heart disease, most arrhythmias, syncope or fainting, and sudden death. Some are more easily prevented than others but a preventive strategy is available for treatment of every one.
So much of what we do in cardiology is preventing recurrence of a cardiac problem such as those listed above. At the very least we try to prevent another emergency or hospitalization. Many times we can identify a predisposition or specific risk factors which, if treated, can prevent a heart problem from developing in the first place. |
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All of us would like to prevent ever having an illness for as long as we can. However, cardiac disease is a common cause of serious illness in the United States and the most frequent cause of death for both men and women. Preventing such health problems takes two forms. |
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This is prevention of a cardiac disease in someone likely to get it in the future. Evaluation and treatment are useful only for people who have conditions known to make a cardiac illness much more likely. These conditions are called "risk factors". A prime example is genetic predisposition because of a family history of early heart attack. Other examples are elevated cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes. |
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This represents efforts to prevent the recurrence, progression, or complications of a cardiac problem which has already developed. This can mean using various strategies to prevent recurrence of atherosclerotic heart disease such as another heart attack or stroke. Progression of cardiac muscle dysfunction needs to be halted before heart failure sets in. We always wish to prevent complications requiring emergency room visits, hospitalization, or cardiac surgery. |
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Risk Assessment and Diagnosis Come First |
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Traditional Risk Assessment. Common risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiac and vascular problems include hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol abnormalities and tobacco abuse. Each of these must be investigated and treated aggressively.
- Genetic Screening. Your family history of any atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke provides clues to genetic disorders. Both common and special blood tests allow identification of familial problems which might affect you in the future.
- Advanced risk assessment. Certain recently recognized abnormalities have the potential to be additional risk factors. These include lipoprotein (a) elevation, high homocysteine, chronic inflammation of arteries, chronic infection of arteries with certain organisms and abnormal blood clotting factors.
- Coronary artery disease screening. Treadmill stress testing, stress echo and Ultrafast CT scans are used to assess the presence of any coronary artery atherosclerosis.Cardiac function assessment. Echocardiography uses ultrasound to evaluate the pumping function of your heart, integrity of valves and other cardiac structures.
- Screening for vascular disease. Duplex ultrasound imaging is used to screen for atherosclerosis and stroke risk in carotid arteries, and to detect aortic aneurysm and artery disease in the legs.
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Prevention is a long term process. After an accurate diagnosis, your treatment plan involves the following:
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Providing information and education about your cardiac condition so that you can understand how best to deal with it yourself.
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Agreeing on the treatment strategy.
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Setting goals for changes in lifestyle, diet, exercise, weight reduction and use of medications if necessary.
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Re-evaluating your progress periodically.
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Reviewing new information with you regularly. Cardiology is still progressing rapidly and new treatment strategies emerge every year.
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We offer a broad range of resources to help you deal with your cardiac problem. In addition to your own cardiologist, you have your own nurse who is a highly trained, cardiac nurse practitioner. Your doctor and nurse are supported by cardiac technicians and administrative personnel whose goal is to make your care as pleasant and productive as possible. Our team becomes your team. |
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Advanced Lipid Management Program. This program assesses genetic factors, cholesterol disorders and other health problems which can cause atherosclerosis. Screening for the presence of arterial and coronary heart disease is accomplished. A long term treatment strategy is developed and progress is periodically re-evaluated.
Advanced Heart Failure Management Program. This program provides assessment of the causes and severity of heat failure, a long term treatment strategy and management of complications. |
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Preventive Cardiology and Your Doctor |
Your Doctor should be aware of all aspects of your specialty care. Therefore, our Center will communicate with your doctor frequently to coordinate this part of your healthcare program. We will forward copies of all tests we do and obtain copies of blood work and other data from your physician.
Our Preventive Cardiology Center is meant to be an asset to both you and your personal physician. |
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