Because heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, understanding its scope is beneficial for everyone. This term refers to several distinct heart conditions. Each type affects the body differently, and cardiologists evaluate specific details to determine a patient’s potential for illness. These indicators provide a roadmap for prevention.
Defining Heart Disease
A cardiologist specializes in diagnosing issues, so they are the primary resource for treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Diseases under this umbrella include blood vessel issues, and heart rhythm problems also fall into this category. Congenital heart defects are structural issues present at birth.
Different types of heart disease manifest in various ways. Coronary artery disease involves damaged vessels, and arrhythmias cause irregular heartbeats because the electrical impulses do not fire correctly. Heart valve disease occurs when valves do not function properly. Doctors classify these ailments based on the specific part of the organ involved.
Recognizing Risk Factors
When doctors evaluate a patient, they look for specific traits that increase the likelihood of cardiovascular issues. High blood pressure can indicate an increased risk for heart disease. High cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup, and smoking doubles your chances of a heart attack.
Here are some other risk factors for heart disease:
- Diabetes
- Overweight and obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol use
Some risks cannot be changed. Although lifestyle changes help, age naturally increases the risk of damaged arteries. Men generally face a higher risk, but women’s risk increases after menopause because estrogen levels drop. Family history of heart problems can also indicate an elevated risk.
Conducting Diagnostic Tests
Physical exams provide the first clues. A doctor listens to your heart for murmurs, and they check your blood pressure. If irregularities appear, further testing may be required.
Blood tests measure cholesterol and sugar. These markers may indicate overall health, and an electrocardiogram records electrical signals while the patient rests. This quick test reveals heart rhythm irregularities that might otherwise go unnoticed. Doctors may use these numbers to form a baseline to compare.
Stress tests show how the heart works during physical activity, but other tests are done while resting. You walk on a treadmill while a machine monitors your heart rate. Echocardiograms create images of the heart using sound waves.
The technician places a transducer on the chest, and this allows them to visualize the heart’s chambers, valves, and blood vessels to determine if they are working correctly. Doctors use these detailed images to diagnose conditions such as heart valve disease, where valves may be leaking or narrowed, and cardiomyopathy. This may affect the heart muscle’s ability to pump.
Find a Cardiologist Today
Because assessing risk factors allows for early intervention, patients should prioritize these screenings. Understanding the types of heart disease they have helps patients recognize potential symptoms. Diagnostic tests give doctors the necessary information, and they use this data to create effective treatment plans. Consult a cardiologist near you to learn more about risk factors for heart disease.
