Heart Disease

A healthy heart is essential for your overall well-being, but various conditions can affect its function, leading to serious health concerns — heart disease being the most common. If you worry about your heart health, turn to Summit Health Family and Urgent Care in Haltom City, Texas, led by Louis Graham, FNP, ENP. He and the team understand how to help your heart function properly. They provide guidance and treatment to help you stay healthy and avoid serious complications. Learn more by calling or booking an appointment online today. They offer telehealth consultations, too.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a broad term that refers to various conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It includes coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects. 

One of the most common types is CAD, which occurs when the arteries supplying blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup. This can lead to serious complications such as heart attacks or strokes.

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Symptoms of heart disease vary depending on the specific condition but may include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or fainting
• Swelling in the legs, feet, or abdomen (a sign of heart failure)
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), palpitations, or a fluttering sensation

It’s possible to not have any symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed. That’s why Summit Health Family and Urgent Care provides regular checkups and screenings for early detection.

What causes heart disease?

The development of heart disease can occur from a combination of lifestyle choices, medical conditions, and genetics. Common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol levels
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor diet high in saturated fats, salt, and processed foods
• Chronic stress
• Family history of heart disease

Over time, these factors can contribute to the hardening or narrowing of your arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to your heart.

How is heart disease treated?

The type of treatment your Summit Health Family and Urgent Care provider offers for heart disease depends on its type and severity. Options include:

Lifestyle changes

Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress can significantly reduce your risk.

Medications

Your practitioner may prescribe blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood thinners, or other medications to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Medical procedures and surgery

In severe cases, procedures like angioplasty, stent placement, bypass surgery, or pacemaker implantation may be necessary to restore proper heart function.

Learn more about how to prevent or manage heart disease by booking an appointment at Summit Health Family and Urgent Care. Call today or use the online booking feature today.