Your heart is one of the hardest working muscles in your body. It can also be one of the most delicate. Taking care of your heart means more than just getting a check-up when you feel something may be wrong. Preventive cardiology allows patients to get the comprehensive care they deserve to avoid heart problems in the long-term.
Let’s discuss what preventive cardiology is, why you should schedule a preventive cardiology appointment now, and what you can expect during your preventive cardiology appointment at Intercoastal Medical Group.
What is Preventive Cardiology?
Cardiology is a subspecialty of medicine that focuses on the health of the heartand blood vessels. Preventive cardiology is a special section of cardiology that is concerned with managing the risk factors associated with diseases of the heart before they have a negative impact on a patient’s health. Your cardiologist will work with you to provide the tools you need to ensure your heart is healthy.
There are two different types of preventive cardiology care:
- Primary Preventive Care– primary preventive care is centered around preventing the onset of a cardiovascular condition like a heart attack or stroke.
- Secondary Preventive Care– secondary preventive care is focused on managing your heart health following a cardiac event to ensure your condition does not worsen.
At Intercoastal Medical Group, we take a full-body approach to your preventive cardiology care. This means working with your primary care provider and other specialists to ensure your treatment programs are working cohesively to prevent heart problems in the future.
Reasons to Schedule a Preventive Cardiology Appointment
Next, let’s discuss the three main benefits of scheduling a preventive cardiology appointment:
- Risk Management
Prevention of heart conditions begins with patient education. Knowing your risk factors based on your medical history is the first step in ensuring your heart is kept healthy. Your cardiologist will work with you to identify your personal risk factors with a risk assessment. This assessment may include reviewing your medical history, screening for anxiety and depression, testing the blood for sugar and cholesterol levels, and talking about your daily lifestyle and health habits.
- Medication Management
Following your risk assessment, your cardiologist may recommend you start taking certain medications to further prevent a future heart condition. A medication management program works together with your risk assessment program to ensure you are taking the steps necessary for your cardiac care. Medication is often needed for the treatment of:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
Managing your medications is made easy with the help of your cardiologist. They’ll work closely with your other medical providers to ensure your heart medications do not interfere with any other treatment you may be receiving.
- Lifestyle Management
Your lifestyle has more to do with your heart than you may know. Everything from the amount of exercise you receive daily to your eating habits affects your heart’s overall health. Your cardiologist will work with you to ensure you are leading the best lifestyle for your cardiac needs. During your appointment, your cardiologist will likely talk to you about:
- Eating habits
- Level of physical activity
- Drug and alcohol use
Cardiologist Near Me
Preventive cardiology means more than diagnosing a cardiac condition – it means preserving your heart health for the long-term. At Intercoastal Medical Group,we provide superior preventive cardiology services, with the addition of on-site services like cardiac stress tests, EKGs, CTAs, and vascular ultrasounds. Our team of dedicated cardiologists deliver comprehensive, compassionate care to ensure your heart and body stay strong.
If you are in need of a skilled and knowledgeable cardiologist for preventive care, consider the cardiologists at Intercoastal Medical Group. They would love to discuss your heart healthcare needs and find solutions to help make your heart stronger and healthier. To make an appointment, contact our location closest to you or request an appointment online.