Preventive cardiology focuses on reducing the risk of heart disease, preventing initial heart attacks or strokes, and managing existing cardiovascular conditions. It is a specialized branch of cardiology that takes a proactive approach to maintaining a healthy heart and blood vessels. By addressing risk factors early on, preventive cardiology plays a crucial role in promoting overall well-being.
Why you should visit a preventive cardiologist?
People dealing with the below-mentioned situations/symptoms should visit a preventive cardiologist.
- Individuals with a strong family history of heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease
- People who have personally experienced cardiovascular disease, especially those under the age of 60
- Those with challenging-to-manage risk factors for atherosclerosis, particularly significant cholesterol disorders
- Individuals with risk factors that can be controlled include:
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar or diabetes
- Obesity, especially with excess abdominal fat
- Smoking
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle
- People with risk factors that cannot be controlled such as:
- Gender: Men face a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than women
- Age: Older individuals, including postmenopausal women, are more prone to heart disease
- Those who have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
What types of tests are ordered by preventive cardiologists?
The cardiologist will evaluate the patient’s medical history, conduct a thorough physical examination, and potentially order a range of tests to assess the condition of the patient’s heart. These risk assessments may include blood tests to check cholesterol and sugar levels, electrocardiograms (ECG) to monitor heart rhythms, and stress tests to observe heart function during physical activity. Additionally, imaging tests like echocardiograms or cardiac CT scans may be used to get a clearer view of heart structures and detect any abnormalities.
- Personalized care plan based on medical history, health status, and goals
- Complete risk assessment including:
- Discussion of medical history and cardiovascular history
- Evaluation of lifestyle habits
- Screening for anxiety and depression
- Heart-focused physical examination
- Blood test to check cholesterol, blood sugar, and other health markers
- Additional tests to check for nontraditional and newly discovered heart disease risk factors, including specific proteins, lipoproteins, and other substances associated with heart disease risk
- Review of the risk assessment results and discussion of their implications
- Possible additional tests such as EKG or echocardiogram to provide detailed information about heart function