Heart disease is the leading cause of death for most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. With regular heart checkups and healthy habits, you can lower your risk. Preventive cardiology helps keep your heart healthy and strong.
Preventive cardiology: How to protect your heart for the future
Heart disease can show up in different ways, like a heart attack, high blood pressure or a stroke. It develops over time and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Many people don’t realize they have heart disease until they experience symptoms, but there are steps you can take to catch it early and lower your risk.
Preventive cardiology helps you stay ahead of heart disease by focusing on early detection and healthy habits. This specialty looks at risk factors like family history, diet, activity level and stress to create a plan tailored to you. Small changes, like eating better, staying active or managing your blood pressure, can make a big difference over time.
Talk to your primary care doctor about what you can do now to support a healthy heart and a stronger future. A little prevention today can lead to a lifetime of better health.
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Conditions
Heart disease can be asymptomatic for many years, meaning it may not show any signs until it has progressed. This is why it’s always a good idea to make your heart a priority in your wellness plan. Catching heart problems early is key to managing and treating them more effectively.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your primary care doctor right away:
- An unusually slow, fast or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pressure that occurs or worsens with physical activity
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Long-lasting fatigue
- Persistent snoring or sleeping problems
- Pressure or aching in the chest or shoulder, particularly toward the left side of your body
- Shortness of breath
- Skin that appears bluish or pale gray
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, abdomen or around the eyes
- Unexplained cold sweats
By staying aware of these signs, you can catch potential heart issues early and take action to protect your health.
High cholesterol
The ideal cholesterol level varies by age and risk factors. Ask your doctor what’s heart-healthy for you.
People with higher-than-normal cholesterol levels have a higher risk of developing clogged or narrowed blood vessels that carry blood to the heart muscle.
Cholesterol is a natural substance that travels through your bloodstream on proteins called lipoproteins, which come in 2 forms:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): Known as "bad" cholesterol because it increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. LDL contributes to the plaque that clogs blood vessels.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Considered "good" cholesterol because it helps lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes. HDL helps remove LDL from your blood vessels.
High blood pressure
If your blood pressure is 180/120 or greater, call 911 immediately.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that affects nearly half of adults in the U.S., according to the CDC. It happens when the force of blood pressing against artery walls is consistently too high.
While high blood pressure requires long-term management, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Tufts Medical Center CardioVascular Center shares tips on detecting heart disease symptoms.
How does a family history affect your risk for heart disease?
Caring for your heart
Having a family history of heart disease doesn’t mean you will get it too. But it’s important to keep an eye on your heart health and take steps to lower your risk, like eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising.
You may be at a higher risk for heart disease if:
- Your father or brother had heart disease or a heart attack before age 55.
- Your mother or sister had heart disease or a heart attack before age 65.
Taking action now can help protect your heart in the future.
Testing
Some health issues can only be discovered through regular screenings. This is why it's important to pay special attention to your numbers. By getting routine checkups, you can keep track of your cholesterol, blood pressure and other key health indicators.
To understand your heart health and get ahead of any risks, consider these important reviews and tests:
- A physical exam with special attention to your heart
- A review your medical history
- Blood tests to check your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar numbers
- Discussing your family medical history
- Echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart), if needed
- Heart CT calcium scan to check for calcium buildup in your arteries
Regular screenings give you the chance to stay informed about your health and make changes early if needed.
The American Heart Association reports that nearly 80% of heart disease cases are preventable. One of the best ways to lower your risk is maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Since many people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol don’t know they have these conditions until problems arise, it’s important to stay on top of your health with regular primary care visits.
Treatments
The real secret to wellness is maintaining healthy habits over time. How you eat and move today can protect you from heart disease in the future. It's never too early to exercise more, eat a balanced diet or quit smoking. In fact, people between the ages of 35–44 who quit smoking can live, on average, 10 years longer. Even if you have cardiac risk factors, there are a few healthy habits you can add to your life to lower your risk:
- Treat your high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes if diagnosed
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
These small lifestyle changes don’t just lower your risk of heart disease—they can also add valuable years to your life.
Tips to lower your blood pressure
Lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol by 10–20% can cut your risk of heart disease in half. Here are some of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure:
- Avoid stressful situations, if possible
- Eat less sodium, sugar, refined carbohydrates and processed foods
- Get at least 8 hours of restful sleep each night
- Lose excess weight
- Quit smoking
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
- Engage in low-impact exercise (about 30 minutes every day)
- Take medication to lower blood pressure if prescribed
You can often control cholesterol levels by:
- Eating healthy
- Exercising
- Losing weight if you're overweight
- Not smoking
If you're at high risk for heart disease, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication in addition to diet and lifestyle changes. They may also prescribe medication if you have an inherited condition that leads to high cholesterol.
At first, your cholesterol level may need to be checked every 3 to 6 months until it stays in a normal range. After that, you may only need to check it once a year.
Why is exercise and diet important?
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can prevent about 20% of heart disease. Even a brisk 30-minute walk each day is better than not moving at all.
The biggest drop in death rates happens when inactive people move to about 3 hours of moderate activity per week. The more active you are, the lower your risk.
Aim for 50–70% of your maximum heart rate to get the most benefit. You’re in a moderate exercise zone if you can't easily carry on a full conversation. As you exercise more, your heart becomes more efficient.
If you sit for over 8 hours a day, stand or walk for a couple of minutes each hour. This can help reduce health risks from too much sitting, whether with a standing desk or by taking short walks.
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