People Who Should See a Preventive Cardiologist in Long Island

People often think of medicine as a quick fix for injuries or other health problems. We watch and wait, and when a health condition takes place, we take action. But this sit-and-wait approach to heart health is not good enough. In fact, in direct disagreement with the physicians’ motto: prevention is better than cure. 

Heart disease preventive care should be a mainstay for everyone, specifically people at higher risk for heart diseases. Preventive cardiologist in Long Island is rare, even in big-city hospitals. This is a specialty that benefits the community by digging deeper through research and training and stop and treat conditions that may not be recognized by general cardiologists.

Though every individual could benefit from seeing a cardiologist, there are some main categories of people we think benefit most from coming to see us. Let’s go through why people in these groups are at a higher rate and how can we help them improve their heart health.

• Strong family history of heart disease: People with a strong family history of heart disease, particularly in their siblings and parents should be screened for its risk factors, consisting of advanced blood tests. Often, the physicians screen them with imaging tests of the blood vessels, such as a coronary artery calcium scan, to better determine if they have inherited the same pattern as their family members with heart disease.

• Personal history of early-age heart disease: Having a heart attack or stroke at an early age is not normal. According to the doctors, they shouldn’t be seeing heart attacks in people younger than their mid-60s. Still, they see many people in their 40s and 50s with heart diseases. And, as mentioned above, these people establish a history of heart disease in their families. Early age heart disease patients normally require more aggressive care. At times there are physicians who have to screen for additional factors and do further testing to determine the reasons for their diseases. These physicians use new treatments or emerging concepts for risk factor management that are based on the latest science and research.

• Multiple uncontrolled risk factors: Individuals in this group have the typical risk factors for heart disease: uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood sugar, unhealthy diet, smoking, and lack of exercise. Each is a risk factor on its own, but when they come together, it makes controlling and preventing heart disease more complicated for patients. Patients with multiple heart disease risk factors need a team of physicians to help them make all of the needed changes. One physical exam a year isn’t enough, and one doctor alone can’t manage all these changes. Patients need real-time support and feedback to turn their habits and risk factors around.

Summing Up: A cardiologist can help decipher your test results and determine your and your family member’s heart disease risk. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. Seeking care from a preventive cardiologist before heart disease develops can help you lower the risk and pay off in huge health benefits later.