3 Common Signs That Warrant Help From A Cardiologist
The heart is one of the most important muscles, which pumps blood throughout your body. It may not always perform at an optimal rate, however. If you're experiencing the following warning signs, you should seriously consider getting help from a cardiologist.
1. Chest Pain
When you experience pain in your chest, a number of things could be wrong. It could be as simple as heartburn or as severe as a heart attack. Since these causes vary so much, it's always smart to see a cardiologist as a precaution.
Your cardiologist will perform the necessary tests to make sure that your chest pains are not in direct correlation of a heart problem. If they are, you'll receive information on what you can do to strengthen your heart. In the more severe cases, surgery may be required. Your cardiologist will talk about your options depending on your particular heart-related complication.
2. High Cholesterol
Your body produces good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). When there is too much LDL in your body, arteries can get clogged and result in a heart attack. Generally, LDL levels increase because of a lack of activity, poor diet, and even genetics.
If your LDL levels are showing up high on a consistent basis, you should immediately schedule an appointment with a cardiologist. They'll be able to run more tests, determining the ratio of your HDL to LDL. If this ratio is not properly balanced, the cardiologist can recommend some lifestyle changes before a severe heart complication occurs.
3. Family History of Heart Problems
Sometimes the best indication of whether or not you'll suffer heart problems later on in life is if your family has a history of these problems. Genetics can, in fact, play a major role in heart disease, so it's important to check out your family's heart health history.
If you come to find out that a lot of family members in the past have suffered from heart disease, you need to get help from a cardiologist. This professional will conduct further tests to see what heart problems you're at risk of developing, even years down the line. This early detection could prove to be life-saving.
No one ever wants to struggle with heart problems. They are extremely serious, and the best thing you can do is pay attention to warning signs. The more proactive you are at addressing them, the better you can respond and maintain a healthy heart. For more information, contact a company like Temecula Valley Cardiology.