Introduction
Heart disease is one of Australia’s leading causes of death, and heart attacks and strokes are common among older adults. Cardiologists are doctors who specialize in treating heart problems. If you have heart disease or have been diagnosed with a heart condition, visiting a cardiologist can help you manage your condition and prevent future health problems. Here are five benefits of seeing a cardiologist in Blacktown:
In Blacktown, the rate of heart disease has risen steadily over the past decade. According to the Blacktown City Heart Study, conducted by the University of Western Sydney, one in five residents living in Blacktown suffers from heart disease.
The study found that several factors contribute to the high rate of heart disease among the city’s population. These include low socioeconomic status, high unemployment rates, and a lack of access to healthcare services.
Avoid heart disease.
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in Australia. To avoid heart disease, you should:
· Take care of yourself by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly.
· Reduce stress levels as much as possible.
· Control your weight through a healthy diet and exercise program.
· If you have diabetes, take medications for it to keep blood sugar levels under control.
Identify risk factors.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with heart disease, you must visit a cardiologist in Blacktown. This is especially true if you have risk factors for the condition. Cardiologists are trained to identify these risk factors and help patients reduce them.
The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). Your heart muscle is deprived of blood when plaque builds up in your arteries. Leaving the plaque untreated may lead to heart pain or even a heart attack.
Manage heart failure.
Heart failure is a chronic and progressive disease that can be treated with medications but requires lifestyle changes and sometimes surgery.
Heart failure can also be prevented by managing risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, quitting smoking, losing weight if you are overweight or obese, and controlling cholesterol levels above normal limits.
Control cholesterol and blood pressure.
When it comes to managing your heart health, know your numbers. You can ask your doctor for a complete lipid profile and blood pressure checkup at least once a year.
In addition to following a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Get plenty of sleep every night—at least 7 hours—and avoid stress during the day by doing things that make you happy, like going on vacation or spending time with family and friends.
Ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D daily (at least 1,000 IU daily). To help prevent influenza this winter season, vaccinate against the flu virus now before it spreads more during the flu season in 2017-2018.
Prevent a second heart attack or stroke.
If you’re at risk for cardiovascular disease or if you have had a heart attack or stroke, your cardiologist can assess the best treatment options to help reduce your risk of another event. These may include prescription drugs, lifestyle changes and preventive procedures such as stents or medication-coated balloons that open narrowed arteries.
It’s essential to be aware of the warning signs for a second heart attack or stroke so that you can seek immediate medical attention if needed:
· Chest pain or discomfort
· Pain in one arm or leg (often with numbness)
· Difficulty speaking or understanding others due to weakness in face, arm(s) and legs
Conclusion
If you’ve ever been told that visiting a cardiologist is a good idea, then now is the time to take action. A cardiologist can help people of all ages avoid heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, which means they can enjoy a longer life.