Why Should You See a Cardiologist?
At some point in life, you must have wondered whether you should see a cardiologist or not? With statistics like heart disease becoming the leading cause of death for men and women in India, it may have surely crossed your mind. If you are at risk for heart disease, a visit to the cardiac hospital in Delhi will help you be on top of your heart health.
Here are the reasons as to why you should schedule a visit to a cardiologist.
1.Spotting any Red Flags
Your primary care doctor may refer you to a cardiologist due to various reasons. Maybe your family doctor discovered a red flag during your tests and want to have your heart checked in more detail or more closely. Or it could be some concern regarding the heart which warrants an exam by a physician who solely focuses on the heart. If your doctor recommends you to a cardiologist, consult him or her soon.
2.Family history
Heart disease usually has a strong genetic base. You could ask questions regarding your family medical history. If you notice any pattern of heart disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, visit a cardiologist to get yourself evaluated.
- High Blood Pressure
It would help if you had regular blood pressure checks from the age of 20. If you find that your blood pressure is always on the high side or trending up, it is vital that you get it under control. Heart disease and stroke occur because of high blood pressure. Therefore, it is significant that you “know your numbers” to prevent a cardiac event.
- High Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol, then its symptoms are difficult to manage. As one of the most crucial risk factors for heart disease, you must get the cholesterol number under control. Talk to your cardiologist how you can control your cholesterol by adopting healthy habits.
- History of Preeclampsia
Previous research has shown that women who have a history of preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy or in the postpartum period) have increased risk of heart disease. The risk increases for women who deliver preterm babies or suffer from this condition more than once. If you experienced preeclampsia during any of your pregnancies, visit a Heart Centre in Delhi to get your heart checked.
- History of Smoking
Do you know that smoking anytime in your life increases the risk of developing heart disease? If you have been or are a smoker, make an appointment with your cardiologists to get your heart checked.
- Diagnosed with Diabetes
Adults having Diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease compared to adults without Diabetes. But Diabetes can be controlled. Take action towards controlling it and also get your heart regularly checked.
- Congenital Heart Disease in Childhood
One of the common myths with people born with congenital heart disease (CHD) is that you do not have to care for it continually once it is cured. This is not true. Adults having CHD surgery as a child increases their quality of life by having a routine check-up with a specialized cardiologist during adulthood.
- Beginning New Exercise Routine
If you seek an active lifestyle, it is better to see a cardiologist before engaging in moderate to high-intensity exercise. People with heart disease, kidney disease, type 1 or type 2 diabetes should get their heart checked by a cardiologist for any underlying heart condition that you may not be aware of before getting into an exercise program that’s too intense for your lifestyle.
- Gum Disease
There is an association between your gum health and your heart health. Your heart valves can get infected and experience inflammation in heart vessels when the bacteria in the gum travels through the body. In addition to seeing a cardiologist, you should practice good oral hygiene and visit your dentist every six months for check-up and cleaning.
- You’re a Cancer Patient or Survivor
Cardio-oncologists suggest that all cancer patients and survivors should make an appointment to have their heart checked. The reason behind is that heart, heart muscles, and blood vessels suffer strain because of certain cancer treatments. Though these cardiac problems do not affect every cancer patient, it is essential to play safe and get yourself checked.
It is important that you get your heart regularly checked from a cardiologist. But it is also essential that you make lifestyle changes to increase heart health. Many of the above risk factors for heart disease can be avoided by modifying a few simple changes. It is never too late to come up with a healthier game plan!
