Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and has been for 100 years? This fact is alarming, considering how you can often prevent heart disease through lifestyle changes and early detection. The WMCHealth Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (CHPDP) Program offers you a proactive approach to beat the statistics and stay one step ahead of heart disease.
How the CHPDP Program Works
The CHPDP Program focuses on improving your heart health by identifying and treating the conditions that may lead to heart disease over time. To accomplish this, we built a multi-disciplinary team of cardiologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, and dietitians. Together, they equip you with essential resources and unwavering support to better your heart health.
Through the CHPDP Program, you can receive:
- Screenings and tests for conditions that can increase your risk for heart disease
- Personalized recommendations for diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes
- Access to therapies that treat behavioral and psychological factors that contribute to heart disease, like our smoking cessation program
Am I a Candidate for the Program?
The Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (CHPDP) Program is especially beneficial to those with a family history of heart disease. We encourage anyone to make an appointment. Together, we can help you maintain a healthy heart.
What to Expect at Your CHPDP Program Appointment
A member of our cardiology team will work with you to create a custom plan to help you minimize the risk of developing a heart condition. The steps they take to design a program just for you may include:
- An assessment of your health history and current lifestyle
- A physical exam
- Screenings for high blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and high cholesterol
- A calcium score test
What Is a Calcium Score Test?
During your scheduled appointment, you can expect to take a calcium score test, an essential diagnostic tool our cardiologists use to assess your risk for a heart attack. This quick, non-invasive CT scan generates images to measure the calcium levels in your coronary arteries. High calcium levels indicate significant plaque buildup, which can narrow or block your arteries and eventually lead to a heart attack within three to five years.
If you receive a high calcium score, we understand it may be surprising and not easy to hear. But it also represents an opportunity to take charge, now that you know you’re at risk. We can guide you through helpful strategies to reduce your risk of heart disease.