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Are You At Risk Of A Heart Attack Or Stroke? These Diagnostic Tests Can Tell You

Episode Summary

Do you experience high stress levels every day? You may be at risk for developing heart disease, but that’s not the only contributing factor. Visit https://www.thenyheartcenter.com/ to learn about other risk factors and what you can do to prevent a catastrophic cardiovascular event from occurring.

Episode Notes

Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies of cardiovascular disease. If you’re worried that you’ll be one of them, don’t be - heart attacks, stroke, and other catastrophic cardiovascular events are actually preventable. But that’s only if you know what your risk factors are and are taking proactive measures to manage them.

Luckily, with all the advances in healthcare, it’s becoming increasingly easy to evaluate your risk for heart disease and stroke with noninvasive diagnostic tests. Finding the right specialists to help guide your personalized care plan is key to preventing heart health issues before they even start.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in America. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 2,500 people die from cardiovascular disease every day, a number that is expected to increase as factors contributing to risks continue to rise throughout the country. Of these risk factors, stress is often overlooked, but many experts say that it can negatively impact heart function: chronic stress causes higher levels of inflammation that can accelerate plaque buildup in the arteries, which may result in coronary artery disease and other issues that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke; stress also stimulates the production of adrenaline, which quickens the heartbeat and increases blood pressure - another risk factor for heart disease.

However, health professionals note that cardiovascular disease is often preventable, and individuals can avoid it by monitoring their risk factors. Preventative cardiology focuses on managing these factors, which, in addition to stress, include high cholesterol, smoking, inactivity, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Clinics that specialize in heart disease, like The NY Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, can offer diagnostic testing to assess a patient’s risk of heart attacks and stroke, allowing them to proactively manage their cardiovascular health.

You may be wondering what to expect if you book an appointment with a heart health clinic. Many diagnostic tests are often used in the field, but there are some important ones to keep in mind.

Cholesterol testing is one of them. These tests often involve a detailed lipid analysis, which can help you identify how much LDL - the “bad” cholesterol that can cause heart disease - you have in your body.

Blood pressure tests are also an accurate indicator of your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease; the higher your blood pressure, the more at risk you are. Similarly, clinics may test for blood sugar levels, since diabetes is associated with heart health issues.

Finally, imagingprocedures can help detect blockages and other risk factors with certainty. If you’re very worried about your heart health, you may want to consider asking a cardiologist for imaging.

Some risk factors, like age and family history can’t be changed. If you already have a condition like atrial fibrillation or high blood pressure, you may be prescribed medication that can manage it.

However, in many cases, heart disease can actually be prevented with some lifestyle changes. Managing your stress levels is one of them, since high stress can contribute to your risks of developing heart disease; regular physical activity, dietary changes, and good sleep hygiene will also strengthen your heart and decrease your likelihood of developing heart health troubles.

If you smoke or drink alcohol, you may also be advised to stop doing both, since they’re also huge factors for heart disease.

Just remember: heart health professionals will give you the best possible guidance, but managing your cardiovascular health on your own is just as important. To arrange your health assessment, visit the link in the description today. The NY Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease City: New York Address: 136 East 57th Street, Suite 1001 Website: https://www.thenyheartcenter.com/ Phone: +1 212 717 0666 Email: info@thenyheartcenter.com