Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, but the good news is, it’s often preventable. Even better, preventive treatment revolves around noninvasive care, helping patients reduce their heart disease risk factors, improve their cardiovascular health, and decrease the need for more aggressive — and more costly — care in the future.
In this post, learn how preventive cardiology works and how it can help you enjoy better cardiovascular health at every stage of life.
Preventive cardiology: The basics
Heart disease doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. With preventive cardiology, we look for early indicators of cardiovascular problems, so we can treat them before they turn into more serious problems.
We also look for risk factors for heart disease, measuring blood pressure, weight, and levels of cholesterol and glucose. We also review your personal and family risk factors, including a family history for heart disease, high blood pressure, or other contributing conditions.
Once we have a detailed health profile, we work with you to develop a plan focused on optimizing your cardiovascular health. Your plan will be based specifically on your cardiovascular risk profile, your lifestyle, and other factors associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Help your heart, help your budget
Of course, the biggest benefits of preventive care lie in lowering your risks of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, as well as improving your overall health and wellness. There’s no denying, though, that having a healthier cardiovascular system can also benefit your budget.
The costs of managing cardiovascular disease in the United States amount to about $1 billion per day, according to the American Heart Association. By 2035, that figure is expected to grow to more than $1 trillion annually.
On an individual basis, the cost of caring for a heart ailment can quickly add up, especially if you wind up needing hospitalization or a surgical procedure. A study from 2017 found an uninsured person would need to pay more than $50,000 for heart attack care, a number that’s definitely risen thanks to inflation. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs can put a significant strain on your budget.
Even for patients who don’t have cardiac problems requiring hospitalization, the costs of long-term management of cardiovascular problems can add up over time, too. Most people with heart ailments require ongoing use of medications, along with ongoing tests to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. Concurrent problems, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity, have care costs of their own that can add to the overall budget burden.
Reaping the rewards or preventive cardiology
So what can you do to benefit from preventive cardiology? Simple:
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Manage your weight
- Stay physically active
- Adopt healthy eating habits
- Keep track of your glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure
- Have regular checkups
- Prioritize quality sleep
- Take steps to manage stress
- Take medicine as prescribed
All these steps can be achieved with a little more attention to your health and lifestyle, along with support from our team.
Keep your heart healthy
Preventive cardiology can help you manage your cardiovascular diseases risks for better health and lower healthcare costs in the future. To learn more about the services and treatments we offer, call 972-295-7017, or book an appointment online with the team at Prime Heart and Vascular today.
