FAQs

When should I see a cardiologist?

You should consider seeing a cardiologist if you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness. You should also see one if you have risk factors for heart disease (family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, or sedentary lifestyle) or if your primary doctor recommends a cardiology evaluation. Preventive screening is valuable, especially as you age.

What’s the difference between a heart attack and a stroke?

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery, causing heart tissue damage. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, causing brain cell death. Both are medical emergencies requiring immediate treatment (call 911). While both involve blocked blood vessels, they affect different organs. Heart disease and stroke risk factors overlap—managing cardiovascular health reduces risk of both.

Is heart disease preventable?

Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or significantly delayed through lifestyle modifications and, when appropriate, medications. Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol all reduce heart disease risk. Regular preventive evaluations help identify risks early so intervention can begin before disease develops.

What is the normal resting heart rate?

A normal resting heart rate for adults is typically 60-100 beats per minute. Athletes may have lower rates. Your individual normal rate depends on age, fitness level, medications, and health conditions. If you notice a significant change in your resting heart rate or experience accompanying symptoms, discuss it with your cardiologist. Consistently elevated or very low resting rates may warrant investigation.

What does “heart disease” mean?

Heart disease is a broad term encompassing various conditions affecting heart structure or function, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart disease. Each type has different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Our cardiologists diagnose the specific type of heart disease and develop targeted treatment plans.

Can stress cause heart problems?

Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation—all risk factors for heart disease. Stress may also trigger angina in people with coronary disease. Acute emotional stress can occasionally cause takotsubo cardiomyopathy (stress-induced cardiomyopathy). While stress alone doesn’t cause most heart disease, managing stress through exercise, meditation, counseling, or other techniques is an important part of cardiovascular health. Tell your cardiologist about significant stress in your life.

How often should I have a heart checkup?

Frequency depends on your age, risk factors, and health status. Adults over 40-50 without risk factors might benefit from baseline evaluations. Those with risk factors (family history, diabetes, smoking) should have regular checkups. Patients with diagnosed heart conditions need more frequent monitoring, sometimes every 3-6 months. Your cardiologist will recommend an appropriate schedule during your visit.

What is an arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat—your heart beats too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or in an irregular pattern. Some arrhythmias are harmless; others can affect blood flow and cause palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Some increase risk of stroke or require treatment. Heart palpitation and arrhythmia evaluation and treatment helps determine if your arrhythmia needs intervention.

What is high blood pressure and why is it dangerous?

High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs when force of blood against artery walls is consistently elevated (140/90 mmHg or higher). Over time, it damages artery walls, leading to coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. Often called the “silent killer” because many people have no symptoms while damage occurs. Regular monitoring and treatment prevent complications.

What role does cholesterol play in heart disease?

High cholesterol, particularly LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, contributes to plaque buildup in arteries, leading to coronary artery disease. HDL (“good”) cholesterol helps remove plaque. Managing cholesterol through diet, exercise, and medications significantly reduces heart attack risk. We perform cholesterol screening and recommend appropriate treatment for patients with elevated levels or heart disease risk.

How does diabetes increase heart disease risk?

Diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves, accelerating atherosclerosis (plaque buildup). Diabetics develop heart disease younger than non-diabetics and often have more severe disease. Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in diabetic patients reduces cardiovascular complications. If you have diabetes, regular cardiology monitoring and preventive care are especially important.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is ultrasound imaging of your heart, showing its size, shape, and how well it pumps. It evaluates valve function, identifies abnormalities, and measures ejection fraction (pumping efficiency). It’s non-invasive, painless, and involves no radiation. Many patients with heart conditions need periodic echocardiograms to monitor disease progression and treatment response.

What is a stress test?

Stress testing evaluates how your heart responds to increased demands. You exercise on a treadmill (or receive medication that simulates exercise) while your heart’s electrical activity and blood flow are monitored. It reveals areas of reduced blood flow suggesting coronary artery disease. Some patients have symptoms during the test that help confirm or rule out cardiac causes.

Can you have heart disease without knowing it?

Yes. Many people have coronary artery disease or arrhythmias without symptoms. This “silent” disease is discovered during routine exams or after a heart attack or stroke. This is why preventive heart health evaluations are important, especially if you have risk factors. Early detection allows treatment before serious events occur.

What medications are commonly used to treat heart disease?

Common medications include ACE inhibitors (lower blood pressure and reduce heart strain), Beta-blockers (reduce heart rate and workload), Statins (lower cholesterol and reduce plaque), Nitrates (improve blood flow), Diuretics (reduce fluid), Anticoagulants (prevent clots), and Aspirin (prevents clots). Different conditions require different medications. Your cardiologist individualizes your regimen based on your specific diagnosis, other conditions, and how you tolerate medications.

What lifestyle changes improve heart health?

Key changes include: regular exercise (150 minutes/week moderate activity), heart-healthy diet (Mediterranean or DASH diet), maintaining healthy weight, managing stress, avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, managing diabetes if present, and getting adequate sleep. These changes work together to reduce heart disease risk and improve overall health. We provide personalized lifestyle counseling during heart health evaluations.

When is heart surgery necessary?

Surgery may be recommended for severe coronary artery disease, valve disease, or certain congenital conditions when medications or interventional procedures aren’t sufficient. Common procedures include bypass surgery, valve replacement, and pacemaker/defibrillator implantation. We work with cardiothoracic surgeons when surgical consultation is needed and help manage patients before and after surgery.

How do I know if I’m at risk for heart disease?

Risk factors include: age (men over 40, women over 50), family history of early heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, and sleep disorders. The more risk factors you have, the higher your risk. A preventive heart health evaluation assesses your individual risk and recommends appropriate preventive measures or treatment.

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