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

  • 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