What to know
Heart disease includes several conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, excess weight, inactivity, and family history can raise risk.
Many risk factors cause no symptoms. Routine blood-pressure checks, cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, and preventive visits help identify problems before complications develop.
Steps that may help
- Choose vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and lean proteins more often.
- Aim for regular physical activity that is appropriate for your health and ability.
- Avoid tobacco and secondhand smoke.
- Take prescribed medicines consistently and discuss side effects before stopping them.
- Know your personal blood-pressure, cholesterol, and blood-sugar goals.
When to contact our office
Schedule a visit for new shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, swelling, racing or irregular heartbeat, or questions about cardiovascular risk.
When to seek emergency care
Call 911 for chest pressure or pain, pain spreading to an arm, jaw, back, or stomach, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden stroke symptoms such as facial droop, arm weakness, or speech difficulty.
Trusted resources
Need an appointment?
Send a scheduling request or call the office. Do not place sensitive medical information in the online request form.