Heart disease is a leading cause of death, and the condition is often preventable. At Maryland Medical First P.A. in Parkville, Maryland, board-certified internal medicine physician Narender Bharaj, MD, and the other medical experts diagnose and treat heart disease to prevent life-threatening complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Heart disease describes a variety of conditions that affect your heart. It includes coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, heart defects, valve diseases, arteriosclerosis, angina, and congestive heart failure. Untreated heart problems can lead to heart attacks or strokes, which is why early detection and treatment are important.
Common signs and symptoms of heart disease include:
You may not have symptoms at all, at least initially, until you experience a heart attack or other life-threatening complication.
While anyone can develop heart problems, some factors boost your risk of getting them. Examples include:
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to keep heart disease risks as low as possible.
To find out if you have heart disease or its risk factors, your Maryland Medical First P.A. provider weighs you and checks your vital signs, including your blood pressure and pulse. They complete a physical examination to assess your overall health and often recommend you undergo blood tests, a carotid artery scan, stress testing, electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, or other heart function tests. You may also need a coronary angiography.
Common treatments for heart disease include:
Lifestyle changes that help control heart disease and its complications include eating fiber-rich foods, reducing your intake of animal fats and added sugar, losing weight if you’re overweight, and not smoking. Manage high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes if you have these conditions. Reduce your intake of sodium, get regular exercise, and keep stress levels low.
Taking certain medications can help you control heart disease, reducing your risk of life-threatening complications.
In some cases, you may need surgery to widen or reroute blood vessels or repair parts of your heart. Examples of heart disease surgeries include coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy, atherectomy, pacemaker implantation, and valve replacement.
Some people with heart disease are candidates for heart transplants. Maryland Medical First P.A. refers you to specialists when needed.
If you’re at risk of heart disease or have a diagnosis, rely on Maryland Medical First P.A. for superior care. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
