What is preventive cardiology?
South Palm Cardiovascular Associates focuses on preventive cardiology in order to help patients manage their high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and to achieve their weight loss goals.
By focusing on these preventive measures, the team helps you keep your heart healthy before cardiovascular problems arise. Preventive cardiology is an especially important part of treatment and care if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease or other risk factors.
What causes high blood pressure and high cholesterol?
High blood pressure is also called hypertension. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted by your blood as it passes through the blood vessels.
It’s not always possible to pinpoint the cause of your high blood pressure, but it’s more common among people who are overweight, lead sedentary lifestyles, have diabetes or high cholesterol, smoke, abuse alcohol or drugs, or have a family history of hypertension. It’s also more common among older men and women.
High cholesterol means that fatty deposits are accumulating in your blood vessels, which can make it harder for blood to flow through your arteries, contributing to heart disease.
Certain factors can put you at higher risk for high cholesterol including a poor diet, large waist, lack of exercise, smoking, and diabetes.
What medical problems are associated with hypertension, high cholesterol, and being overweight?
Hypertension, cholesterol, and obesity are all risk factors for heart disease, heart attacks, and heart failure. In addition, these issues can lead to:
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney damage and other organ damage
- Vision loss and hearing problems
- Dementia
- Diabetes
South Palm Cardiovascular Associates is dedicated to helping patients control their blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
How can I tell if I have high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
High blood pressure and high cholesterol rarely cause any symptoms on their own, and many people may not realize they have one or both of these conditions until a serious medical event occurs.
The best way to determine if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol is to get tested at the doctor’s office.
How are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity treated?
Sometimes, you can successfully treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight issues just by changing your lifestyle — like quitting smoking, changing your diet, and being more physically active.
Often though, patients need to take medications in addition to making lifestyle changes to help keep their blood pressure or cholesterol under control.
Schedule an appointment today to learn more about preventive cardiology. Call the office or book a visit online.
