Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and for many people, there are no symptoms. The good news is, heart disease is highly preventable. Even if you do have signs of heart disease, you can take steps to prevent it from worsening with heart disease treatment and lifestyle changes. The heart disease specialists at WMCHealth have the knowledge and experience to prevent, treat, and manage heart disease. Our team of cardiologists throughout New York can provide you with personalized care to help you on the road to a healthy heart.

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a broad term that describes a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. These conditions affect all genders, racial and ethnic groups. Most heart disease conditions are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Specific symptoms depend on the specific heart condition. For some, there are no symptoms at all. However, some symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Lightheadedness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling from fluid retention
• Numbness, coldness, or weakness in legs and arms
• Pain in the upper abdominal area, in the back, neck, jaw, or throat

A heart attack is a serious result of heart disease and can come on without warning. If you believe that you or a loved one may be having a heart attack, immediately call 911. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, immediately begin hands-only CPR and use an AED machine, if available.

Diagnosing Heart Disease

To diagnose a heart disease condition, your doctor will take your medical and family history. You may also have several tests, including:

• EKG (electrocardiogram)
• Imaging tests
• Echocardiogram
• Exercise/stress tests
• Cardiac catheterization

Causes of Heart Disease

Heart disease can develop if:

• The heart has been damaged.
• The heart has an irregular rhythm.
• The oxygen supply to the heart is low.
• There are problems with blood vessels near the heart.

Some people may have these issues due to age, genetics, or medical conditions such as:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• High cholesterol
• Leaky heart valves
• High blood pressure

Many people experience heart issues due to lifestyle factors, including:

• Smoking
• Substance use
• Dietary choices
• Lack of exercise
• High stress levels
• Excessive drinking

Treatment for Heart Disease

Heart disease treatments depend on the type, cause, and severity of the heart condition. WMCHealth strives to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to treat your specific needs.

Lifestyle Changes

One of the best ways to treat and prevent further damage is making lifestyle changes, including:

• Exercising
• Quitting smoking
• Eating healthy
• Managing stress
• Practicing good sleep habits

These lifestyle changes will help you maintain a healthy weight and manage health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. 

Medication

Sometimes, lifestyle changes alone are not enough. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to help mitigate symptoms and prevent further damage and complications.

Surgical Procedures

In cases where the heart condition is more advanced, you may need a surgical procedure to remove blockages or repair damage, such as coronary bypass surgery.