Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, and yet it’s very often a preventable disease. The highly qualified physicians at Lagniappe Medical Clinic, with offices in Columbia and West Columbia, South Carolina, have several years of experience diagnosing and successfully managing heart disease, allowing you to live a long and healthy life despite your condition. If you’re concerned about your heart or just want advice on how to take care of your heart health, call the clinic today or book an appointment online.
Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of medical conditions that affect the function of your heart. Heart disease includes conditions like:
Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States, but many heart problems are preventable and treatable.
Your heart beats around 100,000 times a day, every day of your life. It pumps blood around your body in a continuous cycle, delivering oxygen-rich blood to your organs and tissues via the arterial system, then reoxygenating the blood when it returns to the heart.
If anything interferes with the heart’s ability to pump blood around your body efficiently, it can have serious, potentially life-threatening consequences.
Symptoms can vary according to which form of heart disease you have. Among the symptoms you could experience are:
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to go for a checkup at Lagniappe Medical Clinic. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or you faint, you should seek urgent medical attention.
Some people are born with heart disease, but most people develop it later in life. One of the most common causes of heart disease is atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries that reduces blood flow. Atherosclerosis is very often due to lifestyle factors, such as:
Medical conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, infections, toxins, and connective tissue disorders can also lead to heart disease.
The treatment you receive for heart disease depends on the specific condition you have. If lifestyle factors are causing heart disease, the team at Lagniappe Medical Clinic can help you make changes, like losing weight, quitting smoking, and improving your diet.
They may also prescribe medications if appropriate, and in some cases, you may need to have surgery for certain forms of heart disease.
Take care of your heart by booking an appointment for a checkup at Lagniappe Medical Clinic, or use the online tool.
