Heart Disease Information & Our Full Range of Cardiovascular Services
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. At Dallas Heart & Vascular we provide the full range of cardiovascular services from primary prevention and diagnostic imaging, to intervention (which includes) coronary and peripheral stenting, pacemaker and defibrillator devices and arrhythmia ablation.
Causes of Heart Disease
The most common form of heart disease is known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or Atherosclerosis (ath-ur-o-skluh-RO-sis). It is caused by buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries (blood vessels) that supply blood to the heart. Plaque deposits cause the inside of the arteries to narrow, decreasing blood flow to the heart. This can result in chest pain or angina, heart attack (myocardial infarction), abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias) and congestive heart failure. Risk factors for CAD are high cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, smoking, older age, and family history of heart attack. Obesity, lack of exercise and unhealthy diet also increase the risk of heart disease.
Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms
The most typical symptom of a heart attack is pain in the center and left side of the chest that feels like pressure, heaviness, or a squeezing sensation. However, not every one has typical chest pain during a heart attack.
Some of the other symptoms that may signal a heart attack are:
- Discomfort in arms, neck, or jaw
- Heartburn, indigestion, or upper abdominal pain alone or associated with chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Palpitations or pounding irregular heartbeats
- Profuse sweating with a cold and clammy feeling
- Light-headedness/dizziness
If you suspect that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately and rest until the ambulance arrives. If aspirin is available, chew immediately. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention to minimize permanent heart damage and to reduce the risk of death.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) generally refers to Artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) affecting arteries other than those of the heart and brain. PAD most commonly affects the arteries of the legs, arms, kidneys and digestive organs. Severe PAD can cause cramp-like pain in the legs or arms during muscle use, kidney failure, hypertension and abdominal pain after eating. People with PAD also have a four to five times higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms
Many people with PAD have no symptoms at all or mistake their symptoms for something else.
- Claudication – Pain, weakness, numbness, or cramping in calf or buttock during walking or exercise
- Sores, wounds, or ulcers on legs that heal slowly or not at all
- Noticeable change in color (blueness or paleness) or temperature (coolness) of one leg comapred to the other
- Diminished hair and nail growth
Screening PAD
Dallas Heart & Vascular Consultants conduct several tests to help patients determine whether they need treatment for PAD. These screenings include:
- Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI/ABI)
- Segmental Pressures
- Arterial Duplex
- Carotid Ultrasound
- Angiography
Treatment for PAD
Dallas Heart & Vascular Consultants offer a comprehensive treatment plan for peripheral artery disease. Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, as well as medications will most often be the first means of treatment. In severe cases that do not respond we offer treatment using the latest angioplasty and stenting techniques.
Risk Factors
The following conditions are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (narrowing and hardening of heart arteries)
- Diabetes Pellitus
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Smoking
- Family member(s) with a history of heart attack at young age
In addition to the above factors, physical inactivity, obesity and unhealthy diet also contribute to risk of CAD. Some of these risks such as family history cannot be changed. However, many of the risk factors can be modified to lower risk of heart disease. It is important to “know your numbers”. Below is a list of goals to help lower your CAD risk
| Know Your Numbers | |
|---|---|
| LDL Cholesterol (Bad Cholesterol) | Less than 70 mg/dL |
| Blood Pressure | Less than 130/80 mmHg |
| Fasting Glucose | Less than 100 mg/dL |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | Less than 25 |
| Tobacco/Secondhand Smoke | Zero |
| Alcohol (Women) | No more than 1 drink per day. |
| Alcohol (Men) | No more than 2 drinks per day |
Sources: AmericanHeart.org , CDC.gov, Heart.org
Dallas Heart & Vascular Consultants can check your numbers as noted in the chart above to further assess your risk of heart disease. Call 214-942-5511 to schedule an appointment today.
Heart Health Profiler
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is disease of the heart & blood vessels that can cause heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease (poor blood circulation in the legs).
Complete this quick health survey to discover important information about your cardiovascular health and risks factors (those health characteristics that increase your chance of CVD). Click Here
