People often take cardiovascular health for granted. Your heart works around the clock and beats about 100,000 times in a day. Heart disease refers to conditions and diseases that impact the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system. Some people are more predisposed to heart disease than others. Before you visit a Plano heart disease expert, here are some essential facts worth knowing.

Understanding Heart Disease

Cardiovascular diseases can impact the heart in many ways. Common heart diseases include hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease (CAD), and arrhythmia. The biggest concern is the lack of symptoms in some patients. The symptoms of heart disease can also overlap with other medical concerns, making diagnosis hard without tests and imaging. You should definitely see a cardiologist if you have symptoms like:

1. Breathlessness or shortness of breath.
2. Chest pain.
3. Pain that seems to extend to your arms and back.
4. Unexplained fatigue.
5. Irregular heartbeat.

What Are the Risk Factors for Heart Disease?

The symptoms and causes of heart disease may vary. Some risk factors include smoking, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease. In addition to these, obese people are at a greater risk of heart disease. Stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, and diabetes are other known risk factors.

How Is Heart Disease Diagnosed?

Since the symptoms are often similar to that of other diseases, doctors usually recommend blood tests, imaging, and X-rays as needed. Your doctor may also do more detailed tests, such as the Electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram, and Cardiac catheterization. Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) can be used to collect images of the heart. As needed, your doctor can also recommend a cardiac MRI.

What to Ask a Cardiologist?

If you are meeting a cardiologist for the first time, you need to ask a few things. Firstly, ask about the possible symptoms and what may have triggered the same. Your doctor will order a few tests, if needed, to check the current condition of your heart for a better diagnosis. You can also ask about the treatment plan and the alternatives to given suggestions. It is also wise to ask about diet as it is one of the best tools for preventive care. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, ask your doctor about the exercise or activities you can do safely.

How Is Heart Disease Treated?

Doctors typically recommend lifestyle changes, medications, and exercise to treat heart disease. The good news is you can reverse some of the existing damage by focusing on the treatment plan. If you have diabetes, you need to keep your sugar in control. Kidney damage can also cause heart disease in some patients. An active lifestyle with a good diet plan is the best approach to treating heart disease, while medications can help manage the symptoms and prevent further risks and concerns.

Check online for top-rated heart experts near you and seek an appointment. If you are over the age of 40, you should go for a regular checkup at least once a year.