Heart Disease Specialist

What is heart disease?

Heart disease describes a variety of conditions that affect your heart. It includes coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, heart defects, valve diseases, arteriosclerosis, angina, and congestive heart failure. Untreated heart problems can lead to heart attacks or strokes, which is why early detection and treatment are important. 

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Common signs and symptoms of heart disease include:

• Chest tightness
• Chest pain 
• Chest pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness, numbness, or coldness in limbs
• Throat, jaw, neck, abdomen, or back pain
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeats
• Skin color changes
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Leg, ankle, feet, or abdominal swelling

You may not have symptoms at all, at least initially, until you experience a heart attack or other life-threatening complication. 

What are the risk factors for heart disease?

While anyone can develop heart problems, some factors boost your risk of getting them. Examples include:

• Family history of heart disease
• Older age
• Obesity
• Poor dietary habits
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol 
• Diabetes
• Ongoing stress
• Poor dental hygiene 

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to keep heart disease risks as low as possible.

How does my doctor diagnose heart disease?

To find out if you have heart disease or its risk factors, your Maryland Medical First P.A. provider weighs you and checks your vital signs, including your blood pressure and pulse. They complete a physical examination to assess your overall health and often recommend you undergo blood tests, a carotid artery scan, stress testing, electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, or other heart function tests. You may also need a coronary angiography.

What are common heart disease treatments?

Common treatments for heart disease include:

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes that help control heart disease and its complications include eating fiber-rich foods, reducing your intake of animal fats and added sugar, losing weight if you’re overweight, and not smoking. Manage high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes if you have these conditions. Reduce your intake of sodium, get regular exercise, and keep stress levels low.

Medications

Taking certain medications can help you control heart disease, reducing your risk of life-threatening complications.

Surgery

In some cases, you may need surgery to widen or reroute blood vessels or repair parts of your heart. Examples of heart disease surgeries include coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy, atherectomy, pacemaker implantation, and valve replacement. 

Some people with heart disease are candidates for heart transplants. Maryland Medical First P.A. refers you to specialists when needed.  

If you’re at risk of heart disease or have a diagnosis, rely on Maryland Medical First P.A. for superior care. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.