The heart, along with your brain and lungs, is arguably one of the most important organs in your body. Without a properly functioning heart, you can’t live. The heart is a muscle that never stops working from the moment you are born till the day you die. It’s job is to send blood throughout your entire body, bringing all the cells in your body life-giving oxygen and nutrients and sweeping away wastes to their appropriate outlets. The beating of your heart is the contraction of the muscle that is sending this blood throughout your body.
However, when your heart is sick or doesn’t function properly, it can have heart disease, which is a broad term that refers to problems with the heart. Cardiovascular disease includes problems with the blood vessels and circulatory system, as well as the heart. This is when the Stockton Cardiology Medical Group comes in. With offices in Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, and San Andreas, our heart specialists can help you get your heart back to normal functioning. Below, we’ll dive into a bit more detail on heart disease itself. Contact us today to get started!
WHAT IS HEART DISEASE?
There are many types of heart disease, each of which have different symptoms and treatments. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type. CAD is caused when you have blockages in your coronary arteries, which are the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Blockages restrict blood flow, which prevents your heart from getting the oxygen it needs to function properly. Atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries, is usually the first sign of CAD. CAD can lead to a heart attack, which is the name given when your heart suffers permanent damage due to the lack of oxygen it receives.
Other types of heart disease include congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and many others. The cardiologists at the Stockton Cardiology Medical Group diagnose and treat all types of heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Our goal is to restore your heart back to its normal function so you can continue living your best life possible. Give us a call today for all your heart concerns!
WHAT CAUSES HEART DISEASE?
Outside of congenital heart disease (which is a type of heart disease that you are born with), most underlying causes of heart disease (remember heart disease itself is the damage to the heart usually from the constriction of blood vessels that prevent oxygen from getting to your heart) have to do with lifestyle choices. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine, illegal drug use, stress, and some prescription medications are common causes of heart disease. Infections as well caused by bacteria or viruses can harm the heart as well.
HOW TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE
Some risk factors of heart disease you can’t control, such as age and family history. However, our team of cardiologists recommend that leading a healthy lifestyle will be your best prevention for heart disease. Furthermore, it’s the little choices every day that can make the most impact. The heart specialists at Stockton Cardiology Medical Group recommend:
- Daily exercise
- Healthy, balanced diet
- Low stress
- No smoking
- Cleanliness to prevent infections
HOW STOCKTON CARDIOLOGY MEDICAL GROUP CAN HELP
The cardiologists at the Stockton Cardiology Medical Group understand the seriousness of heart conditions that can lead to heart disease. However, heart disease is treatable and preventable with the right diagnosis, perhaps medications, and lifestyle choices. Our heart specialists offer compassionate care and thorough testing to determine your next steps. Contact one of our locations in Manteca, San Andreas, Stockton, or Tracy to get started today!