Heart disease is an umbrella term referring to a group of disorders that affect the heart and circulatory system. It includes conditions that impact the function, blood vessels, structures, and rhythm of the heart, such as:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): blockage of the blood vessels in the heart

• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD): obstruction of blood flow to the extremities

• Atherosclerosis: hardening and narrowing of the arteries

• High blood pressure: elevated internal pressure of the blood vessels

• Arrhythmias: irregular heart rhythm

• Congestive heart failure (CHF): heart muscle ineffective for pumping blood

When you have any of these heart diseases, you are at significant risk for a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Heart attacks cause permanent injury to the muscle of the heart. In cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping entirely, and blood flow ceases.

Heart disease also profoundly increases your risk for blood clots, stroke, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions. Ongoing preventive care and a healthy lifestyle can help protect you from these severe complications.

There are both preventable and non-preventable risk factors for heart disease. Irreversible risk factors include male gender, African-American heritage, 55 years of age or older, Type 1 diabetes, and family history of heart disease.

A healthy lifestyle, consistent preventive care, and expert internal medicine guidance may help you reduce reversible risk factors such as:

• Smoking
• Using recreational drugs
• High cholesterol
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Stressful lifestyle
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure

If you have risk factors for heart disease, the Cava Medical Group offers expert assessment, ongoing monitoring, knowledgeable diagnosis, lifestyle coaching, and holistic treatments.

You may have a form of heart disease if you have symptoms such as:

• High blood pressure
• Swelling in legs or feet
• Pain or tingling in extremities
• Chest pain, heaviness, or tightness
• Dizziness or weakness when standing up
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Fainting or blacking out
• Racing or irregular heartbeat
• Chronic headaches

If you have these symptoms, it's essential to seek an evaluation by your internal medicine provider. The Cava Medical Group commits to supporting you in lowering your risks, protecting your health, and decreasing your chances for heart attack and stroke.

For an expert evaluation of your heart health, contact us today.