Preventive Heart Care Keeps Your Heart Beating Strong
Your heart health is key to your overall well-being. You might have heard that heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. But there’s good news: the vast majority of heart disease is preventable. Simple changes — like learning your cardiovascular risk factors, eating healthier, managing your weight, exercising and taking care of your emotional health — can have a huge impact on your heart health.
Within our network of hospitals, AdventHealth has partnered with the American Heart Association to collaborate on community initiatives that bring awareness to preventive heart care, warning signs and healthy lifestyle changes. Many of our facilities also provide free or minimal charge screenings for common heart-health measures, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood-glucose levels. When you take good care of your heart, it will continue to take good care of you, today and well into the future.
What is Heart Health and Prevention?
Heart health refers to the overall well-being of the heart and circulatory system. It's crucial because the heart plays a central role in pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, supplying vital nutrients to organs and tissues. Maintaining a healthy heart is essential for longevity and overall quality of life.
Prevention of heart disease plays a key role in maintaining heart health and can protect against:
- Coronary heart disease (CDC)
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
Comprehensive Care Helps Prevent Heart Disease
- Heart Health and Prevention Education for Whole-Person Health
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Count on us to help you keep your heart health in check. You already know that your heart is at the center of whole-person health, but it’s especially critical if you have certain cardiovascular risk factors — like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, certain diets or a sedentary lifestyle. If you’re at high risk of developing heart disease, your expert cardiovascular team at AdventHealth can help guide you toward a healthier lifestyle to help you prevent heart problems in the future.
We’re passionate about supporting our local communities through free lectures and heart-health education, so our neighbors and friends can learn to manage cardiovascular risk factors and prevent heart disease. Our goal is to help everyone in our community learn the principles of healthy living, and that includes building a heart-healthy lifestyle that supports body, mind and spirit.
Some strategies our care teams encourage to reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks are:
- Encouraging regular physical exercise
- Incorporating healthy eating and a heart healthy diet
- Maintaining a focus on mental health to support heart goals
- Regular communication and screenings with health care providers
- Know Your Cardiovascular Risk Factors
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The more you learn about heart health and heart disease prevention, the more empowered you'll feel to take healthier living into your own hands. While age and family history play a role in your risk for cardiovascular disease, your body also sends you signals when something isn’t right. At AdventHealth, we’ll help you look out for the warning signs that mean you could be at an especially high risk for heart disease, including:
- A family history of cardiovascular disease
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor eating habits or nutrition
- Problems with emotional health
- Weight and obesity
Each of these is an important factor in keeping your heart healthy and strong. We'll help you learn better eating habits through healthy recipes, smarter grocery shopping, and our partnerships with community restaurants. We can also help you improve your emotional health with extra support and resources to foster a heart-healthy life and spiritual well-being. It’s our goal to help you learn to manage your heart health as part of your larger wellness journey.
- Advanced Heart Health and Prevention: Heart Screenings and Nutrition Counseling
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Heart screenings and other proactive prevention strategies are key components of maintaining optimal heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease. Here's an overview of heart screenings and some proactive prevention strategies:
- Blood Pressure Measurement: Regular blood pressure checks are essential for detecting hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so routine monitoring is crucial for early detection and management.
- Blood Glucose Testing: Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential for detecting diabetes or prediabetes, both of which increase the risk of heart disease. High blood sugar damages blood vessels over time, contributing to cardiovascular complications.
- Cholesterol Testing: Checking cholesterol levels helps assess the risk of developing plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Lipid profile tests measure total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and can help detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which may indicate underlying heart conditions.
- Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test provides detailed images of the heart's structure and function, helping diagnose heart valve problems, congenital heart defects, and other heart conditions.
- Stress Testing: Stress tests evaluate how well the heart functions during physical activity. They can help diagnose coronary artery disease and assess the risk of heart attacks.
At AdventHealth we aim to provide free and minimal-charge heart screenings at many of the hospitals in our network. Our commitment to heart health goes well beyond diagnostics, with care teams supporting lifestyle changes like dietary shifts, physical exercise, and a focus on mental health.
Heart and Vascular Care You Can Count On
We’re here to take care of your cardiovascular system so you can keep putting your whole heart into everything you do.
Cardiovascular Specialties and Services
Learn more about other AdventHealth Heart and Vascular Care Specialties and Services.
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General Cardiology
General cardiology encompasses the diagnosis, treatment and management of various heart-related conditions and diseases.
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Heart Valve Disease
Close monitoring and ongoing management are essential for people living with heart valve disease to prevent complications, manage symptoms and optimize heart function.
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Women’s Cardiology
Women's cardiology gives special focus to the distinct risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic considerations, and treatment approaches associated with heart disease in women.
Answering Your Heart Disease FAQs
We know how overwhelming heart disease can feel, but you aren’t alone. Our cardiovascular specialists will answer your questions as they work to protect your heart so you can feel informed and empowered to lead a healthy life.
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Q:Question: How can I improve my heart health?
A:Answer:Incorporate healthy lifestyle changes that you can remain consistent with to protect your heart.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerTaking steps to improve your heart health can powerfully impact your overall well-being. The good news is that small, consistent changes can make a big difference.
- Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats like fish or nuts. Reduce salt, sugar and saturated fat intake to protect your heart.
- Get regular checkups: Work with your doctor to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and other key indicators of heart health.
- Manage stress: Incorporate relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing or meditation into your routine to support your heart and mental health.
- Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the best ways to improve your heart health and reduce risks.
- Stay active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, most days of the week. To make this habit sustainable, find activities you enjoy.
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Q:Question: What are the early signs of heart disease?
A:Answer:There are many early warning signs of heart disease, like chest pain, shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerRecognizing the early signs of heart disease can be lifesaving. One of the most common symptoms is chest discomfort, which may feel like pressure, tightness or pain, particularly during physical activity or stress. Some people also experience shortness of breath, making it difficult to perform regular tasks or rest comfortably.
Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet might indicate poor circulation, while unusual fluttering or racing sensations in your chest, known as palpitations, could point to an irregular heartbeat. If you notice these symptoms, it's important that you seek medical attention immediately.
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Q:Question: Does family history increase my risk of heart disease?
A:Answer:Because of genetics, family history can play a role in your heart disease risk, but it’s not the only factor to consider.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf close relatives have had heart disease, particularly at a younger age, your likelihood of developing it may be higher. But remember, genetics are just one piece of the puzzle. You can offset many risks with lifestyle changes like regular exercise and routine preventive care.
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Q:Question: When should I see a doctor for heart health concerns?
A:Answer:It’s a good idea to visit your doctor regularly to check your heart health so you can catch issues early before they become serious.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerYou don’t have to wait for symptoms to appear to prioritize your heart health. You can start now by prioritizing routine checkups that monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If you develop symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained fatigue, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
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Q:Question: How can I prevent heart disease if I’m already experiencing risk factors?
A:Answer:Incorporate healthy lifestyle changes and remain consistent with them to reduce further risk.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf you have risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, you can still take healthy steps to protect your heart:
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake: These habits can amplify risks but are reversible with changes.
- Eat healthily: Stick to heart-healthy foods that support your heart and limit processed foods.
- Follow your doctor’s advice: Take prescribed medications and attend follow-ups regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Even small amounts of weight loss can improve your heart health.
- Stay physically active: Regular physical activity helps manage weight, blood sugar and blood pressure.
By being proactive and making healthy choices, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and lead a healthy life.
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Q:Question: What are the risks of heart disease for women and men?
A:Answer:Women experience subtle symptoms of heart disease like fatigue and nausea. However, men exhibit the more typical symptoms like chest pain and discomfort.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerHeart disease affects both women and men, but the risks and symptoms can vary. Women are more likely to experience subtle symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea or pain in the jaw or back, making it crucial to stay attuned to less obvious warning signs. Hormonal changes, such as those during menopause, can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease, so practicing preventive measures earlier in life is important.
Men often exhibit more typical symptoms like chest pain or discomfort. They also tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than women. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking and stress play significant roles in increasing men’s risk of heart problems.
Understanding personal risks, recognizing symptoms and committing to a healthy lifestyle are vital for both women and men. By working with your health care provider, you can take control of your heart health and reduce risks, paving the way for a healthier future.