Cardiology refers to the medical study and treatment of the cardiovascular system's external and internal structures and any conditions affecting it. Many people seek this medicine branch only through a recommendation or when a problem occurs. However, taking a proactive approach through regular checkups with a cardiologist can prevent issues before they occur, empowering you to take control of your health.
A brief overview of the cardiovascular system
The cardiovascular system comprises the heart and blood vessels. When this system is compromised, the entire body will struggle to function. This is because the heart uses far-reaching blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to other systems within the body. Further, the blood vessels, which can look somewhat like a network, can deliver waste or substances the body rejects to appropriate systems for removal.
Why schedule regular cardiology checkups
Remember, even if one does not believe they have a current issue with their cardiovascular system, they should still seek annual checkups or screenings. Because certain threats to this system can be considered silent killers, having a clear baseline year after year is only to one's benefit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, revealed that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, it was responsible for 702,880 American deaths in 2022 alone, that being one in every five deaths. They also reported heart attacks and coronary artery disease (CAD) results in hundreds of thousands of deaths, often occurring silently—with 805,000 annual deaths belonging to the former and 371,506 deaths in 2022 alone belonging to the latter.
Note that there are more than two types of cardiovascular conditions, many of which can be prevented with a cardiology checkup.
Benefits of regular cardiology checkups
Many cardiovascular conditions can go undetected without regular checkups or screenings with a cardiologist—a doctor specializing in diagnosing, preventing, treating, and managing ailments or threats to the cardiovascular system. This makes cardiology fall under two umbrellas of medicine: preventive and corrective. That is because during a screening, a cardiologist can provide the following benefits:
- A baseline of health for the entire body
- Early detection of cardiovascular conditions or diseases
- Greatly reduce chances of threats to the cardiovascular system
- Help patients understand their bodies specifically
- Improve overall health with lifestyle changes
- Reduce overall healthcare costs
What to expect during a cardiology checkup
During a cardiology appointment, patients can expect to undergo multiple tests:
- Blood glucose tests. Measures the amount of sugar in the blood and determine the presence of diabetes
- Blood pressure tests. Detects high blood pressure, which can put a strain on the heart and severely damage the arteries
- Cholesterol tests. Detects high cholesterol, which has no symptoms and can significantly limit blood flow
As mentioned, patients with no significant threats only need an annual preventative cardiology appointment. However, those the cardiologist places on a corrective plan may need more follow-up appointments throughout the year.
Check-in on your cardiovascular system in the Boynton Beach area
Preventative cardiology is your best chance at reducing the chances of developing the silent killers of our society or at least receiving prompt and effective treatment. If you have never received a cardiology screening, contact our office. Our cardiologist will thoroughly examine your cardiovascular system and make appropriate lifestyle and treatment recommendations to ensure it functions at a high level.
Request an appointment here: https://boyntonbeach.floridapremiercardio.com or call Florida Premier Cardiology at (561) 229-1411 for an appointment in our Boynton Beach office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Cardiology in Boynton Beach, FL.
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