In the United States, more than 1 in 3 people have cardiovascular disease, and heart disease is at the head of the line when it comes to leading causes of death. Sadly, about 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable, but the good news is that they’re also highly reversible. At Austin Medical Group, the medical experts have extensive experience helping people in Austin, Texas, regain their heart health. To learn more, call or book an appointment online.
Cardiovascular Health Q & A
What does cardiovascular mean?
In its simplest definition, cardiovascular means anything related to your heart and blood vessels. While the definition is simple enough, your cardiovascular system is anything but simple. If you took your blood vessels out and laid them end to end, they’d go for an amazing 100,000 miles.
Going this distance are three kinds of blood vessels:
- Arteries
- Veins
- Capillaries
Each of these types of blood vessels performs the same task — ferrying the blood from your heart to the rest of your body and back again.
What are the most common cardiovascular problems?
The most common cardiovascular diseases include:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease (narrowing of your arteries)
- Heart valve disease
- Pericardial disease
- Vascular disease
While you may be born with some conditions, such as congenital heart disease, many of the conditions listed above can be prevented with the right care.
What are the most common symptoms of cardiovascular disease?
While heart problems often conjure scenes of people suddenly clutching their chests, your cardiovascular system typically sends up many warning flags and signals of distress well in advance.
The most common signs or warnings of cardiovascular disease are:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Tingling or numbness in your extremities
These symptoms do not cover a cardiac event, which requires immediate medical attention. If you experience sudden pain, nausea and vomiting, and extreme shortness of breath, get to an emergency room.
What are the best ways to encourage cardiovascular health?
At Austin Medical Group, cardiovascular health is one of the top priorities. The doctors are armed with the latest diagnostic tools to monitor your heart and vascular health and catch potential problems before they become life-altering. One of the first steps in the battle against cardiovascular disease is to keep up with your annual checkups so your doctor can spot any alarming trends in your blood pressure or cholesterol numbers.
Your doctor also works with you to mitigate any factors that may put you at higher risk of developing problems, such as:
- Medications to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol
- Lifestyle changes, such as smoking and alcohol use
- Weight loss
- Exercise regimens
Indeed, there are many steps you can take to avoid cardiovascular problems altogether, or reverse your risk factors.
To stay one step ahead of your heart health, call Austin Medical Group, or book an appointment online.
