At least 80% of heart disease is preventable, yet it remains the top cause of death among patients in the United States. At Heartwise Cardiology, David Harnick, MD, and Raymonda Rastegar, MD, focus on preventive cardiology, which focuses on helping you avoid heart disease while protecting your heart health after illness develops so you can prevent serious complications. To learn when you should schedule a risk assessment, book an appointment online or call the office in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, today.
Preventive cardiology focuses on keeping your heart strong and healthy by identifying and reducing your risk factors for cardiovascular problems. There are two main types of prevention ─ primary and secondary.
Primary prevention
Primary prevention is focused on preventing heart and blood vessel disease before a patient has an event such as a heart attack or stroke, or needs cardiovascular surgery.
Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention involves patients who have had an event such as heart or vascular surgery, angioplasty, or heart attack. The focus is on preventing cardiovascular disease from getting worse.
The team works with you one-on-one to create goals that fit your needs and lifestyle and improve your quality of life. They use research-based interventions and various treatment methods to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and keep the existing illness from getting worse.
Your long-term treatment plan to reduce your risks will include a customized combination of services, including nutritional counseling, exercise instruction, and advice about lifestyle behaviors.
The team can help advise you on quitting smoking, medications, and treatments as needed. Psychological counseling and referrals to physicians or other health professionals are also available.
The purpose of a risk assessment is to determine your chances of developing heart or blood vessel disease or experiencing a heart attack or stroke. A comprehensive risk assessment is essential for identifying potential cardiovascular risks early, allowing for proactive interventions that can help prevent serious complications.
Your provider considers many factors to assess your risk, including:
Additionally, your provider evaluates whether you have any existing heart conditions, such as heart murmurs, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, or heart failure. These factors significantly influence the determination of your cardiovascular risk profile.
After thoroughly analyzing all relevant factors, your provider will assess your overall risk for heart disease or a future cardiac event. Based on this assessment, a personalized plan will be created to protect your heart health. This plan may include lifestyle changes, medication, and regular monitoring to mitigate risk and enhance long-term cardiovascular well-being.
When you schedule preventive cardiology, your provider works with you one-on-one to create goals that fit your health care needs and lifestyle.
The treatment you receive depends on the results of your exam, diagnostic tests, and risk assessment. However, the foundation for preventing heart disease includes:
While you may need medications, lifestyle factors have a significant impact on your heart health.
Maintaining a healthy weight, following a heart-healthy diet, and stopping smoking may be all you need to do to prevent heart disease. And if you already have a cardiovascular condition, these same factors take the stress off your heart and help you stay healthy and well.
Your provider lets you know how often you should schedule follow-up appointments. Keeping your preventive cardiology appointments is important for monitoring your health and helping you reach your goals.
