Do You Have Heart Disease?

Do You Have Heart Disease?

Find out the early warning signs so that you can detect and treat heart disease early on.

Heart disease refers to a variety of heart conditions that can affect everything from the blood vessels to the valves. Some forms of heart heart-diseasedisease are congenital, which means that they occur at birth, while others can develop as a result of genetics or certain lifestyle factors. Our Woodbridge, VA, physician Dr. Deana Al-Khateeb wants patients to be armed with the tools they need to prevent heart disease; however, it’s also important to recognize the warning signs.

Symptoms will vary depending on the type of heart condition you are dealing with. Common symptoms include:

  • Chest pain and tightness
  • Pressure or discomfort in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fluttering heart
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Irregular heartbeat or changes in heart rhythm
  • Fainting
  • Swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, or abdomen
  • Being easily tired after exercise
  • Fever

 

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Heart disease is easy to detect if treated early on by our Woodbridge, VA, physician who can then refer you to a cardiologist for more specialized care and treatment. It’s also important to understand that heart disease is often preventable. If you have a family history of heart disease it is particularly important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Factors that can put you at increased risk for heart disease include:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Poor diet high in saturated, trans fat, and/or sodium

 

Treating Heart Disease

If you have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease your doctor and cardiologist will work with you to create a treatment plan that will help manage your condition for the long run. There is no cure for heart disease but with the proper care we can help you manage your symptoms. Treatment options generally include:

  • Lifestyle modifications: losing weight if overweight or obese, exercising, eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking
  • Medications: medications may be prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels or to correct arrhythmias
  • Cardiac rehabilitation: this includes specific exercises to improve your cardiovascular health
  • Surgery: this includes bypass or heart valve surgery

 

Are you experiencing any of the symptoms above? If so, it’s important that you have a heart doctor you can turn to for immediate and thorough care. Call your physician at Ridgeview Internal Medicine in Woodbridge, VA, today.


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2000 Opitz Blvd Woodbridge, VA 22191