More than 600,000 Americans die of heart disease every year. At Hospice and Palliative Care of California, Sabri Malek, MD, FIPP, offers expert management and treatment of different forms of heart disease. He specializes in treating all types of heart disease by addressing root causes like high cholesterol. If you’d like to learn more about the prevention and treatment of heart disease, call the office in Pasadena, California, or schedule an appointment online today.
Heart Disease Q&A
What is heart disease?
Heart disease refers to a host of conditions that affect the overall health of your heart. One of the most common forms of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Other types include heart rhythm problems, or arrhythmias, and heart defects you’re born with, which are called congenital heart defects.
Most forms of heart disease involve the narrowing or blockage of vital blood vessels, which can lead to heart attacks, chest pain, or stroke. Some heart conditions can also impact the function of your heart’s muscles, valves, or rhythm (heartbeat).
Many forms of heart disease can be prevented, managed, or treated with lifestyle modifications, such as a healthier diet and exercise.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Common symptoms of heart disease may include:
- Pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weakness or numbness in your limbs (due to narrowed blood vessels)
- Neck pain
- Jaw pain
- Back pain
Symptoms of heart disease can be drastically different for men and women. Men are more likely to experience chest pain, while women are more likely to have symptoms like shortness of breath and severe fatigue.
In many cases, people aren’t diagnosed until after a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, it’s important to take any and all symptoms seriously and discuss your concerns about heart disease with the team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California.
What causes heart disease?
One of the most common causes of heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease, is high cholesterol. With this condition, there’s an overabundance of cholesterol, a fatty substance your body uses to make certain hormones, which clogs up your arteries.
Other common causes of heart disease may include:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Stress
Certain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood pressure medicine, diabetes medications, and antidepressants, can also increase your risk of heart disease.
How do you manage and treat heart disease?
The team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California specializes in heart disease care and offers treatments to improve your quality of life.
Managing and treating heart disease typically includes a combination of lifestyle modifications, prescribed medication, and medical procedures. In most cases, the emphasis is placed on living a healthier lifestyle.
Changes such as adopting a low-fat, low-sodium diet, engaging in regular exercise, and quitting smoking can help prevent, manage, or vastly improve the severity of heart disease. This can help address root causes like high cholesterol.
If you’re concerned about heart disease, call Hospice and Palliative Care of California or schedule an appointment online today.