Heart Health is a matter of good habits and quality care

The good news is that better treatment options and a trend toward healthier lifestyles have reduced the number of deaths associated with heart disease by more than half in the last four decades.

The bad news is that heart disease continues to be the number one killer in the United States, and too many men and women still suffer from heart disease simply because they don’t change their behavior. You can’t do much about your heredity, and the fact that your mother or father had heart disease puts you at greater risk for heart disease yourself. But other factors are well within your control, and by changing a few habits you can greatly reduce your likelihood of heart disease. By watching your weight, eating smarter, getting regular exercise and not smoking, a person can live a heart-healthy life.

Losing as few as five or ten pounds can lessen the risk of heart disease. Healthy diets and regular exercise can help make this happen. Eat foods that are low in saturated fat, salt and cholesterol.

Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limit your alcohol intake. Try to get 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise several times per week. Walking and biking are great cardiovascular activities.

If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, get help and kick the habit. Smoking narrows and damages your blood vessels, raises your blood pressure and deprives your heart of oxygen.

Most of all get regular checkups and have your doctor screen you for high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. These ailments in particular can be indicators of heart disease. Your family doctor or internist can often help you change your lifestyle and test and treat problems like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But for more complex heart problems your regular doctor will refer you to a heart specialist like the cardiologists at The Heart Center of Eastern Carolina.

The Heart Center is a full-service cardiology practice specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiac and vascular diseases. All aspects of cardiac care are offered, including invasive and non-invasive cardiovascular treatments.

Seven board-certified cardiologists have skill and experience in many kinds of prevention and treatment options, including: diagnostic catheterization, balloon angioplasty, nuclear cardiology, peripheral vascular disease treatment, atherectomy, stent placement, echocardiography, hypertension treatment, and lipid management.

The Heart Center also conducts clinical research trials. Ask whether your condition and circumstances would make a good candidate for a clinical trial. Patients are seen by appointment and referral. The Heart Center of Eastern Carolina is available 24 hours a day for routine and emergency services for its patients. The practice has offices in New Bern, Jacksonville and Morehead City.