Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. It doesn’t have to be that way — most types are preventable. You can count on us to help you lower your risk and stay healthy. Our heart specialists offer screening, education, and expert guidance to help you feel your best.

Care and guidance you can count on.

Our heart specialists partner with you to help you take control of your health and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease — we’re your personal health advocate. Our focus goes beyond treating you when you’re sick. We’re here to keep you well.

Know Heart Disease Risk Factors

Age and family history are risk factors you can’t control. But there are many risks you can control with lifestyle changes, medicine or both, including:

  • Behaviors such as smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, not exercising, or eating a diet high in cholesterol, trans fat, and saturated fat
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes 
  • Obesity

Women have additional risks for heart disease from conditions that only affect them, including pregnancy-related high blood pressure and diabetes (gestational diabetes), endometriosis, and polycystic ovary disease.

Watch Your Numbers

If your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and weight are above what’s healthy, you can make healthy lifestyle changes now stop disease before it starts. Here’s why it’s essential to know your numbers: 

  • Blood pressure. High blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms. It puts extra strain on your heart and vessels. Over time, it raises your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. 
  • Cholesterol. High cholesterol, which also doesn’t have symptoms, leads to a buildup of plaque — a waxy substance that forms inside arteries and narrows them. If a clot forms, it can cut off blood flow through the artery and cause a heart attack or stroke. 
  • Body mass index (BMI). If you're overweight, it makes your heart work harder. This can raise your blood pressure, cause a buildup of plaque in your arteries, and lead to diabetes — all risk factors for heart disease. If your BMI is above 25, talk to your doctor about losing weight.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices 

Your lifestyle habits and choices make a big difference in your health. You can have more energy and feel — and look — better when you have healthy habits like these:

  • Avoid tobacco. Smoking (including e-cigarettes) and smokeless tobacco raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, lung disease, amputation, and more. Ask your doctor about how to quit.
  • Eat well. Eat a variety of unprocessed, healthy foods, including whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats. Avoid packaged foods and high-sodium or high-fat foods.
  • Exercise daily. It lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol, helps you manage your weight, and gives you more energy. It also improves your mood, reduces stress, and makes you feel better about yourself. Walk, hike, swim, bicycle, or lift weights — just 30 minutes a day makes a difference.
  • Get enough sleep. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. If you’re not getting a good night’s rest, our sleep experts can help.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Losing weight helps prevent many diseases — from diabetes to heart disease, stroke, and more. We can help you lose weight.
  • Make time for at least one stress-relieving activity daily. Choose something good for you and occupies your mind — such as meditation, stretching, yoga, walking, gardening, or a favorite hobby. 
  • Limit screen time (computer, phone, or TV). If you’re on the computer at work, pay attention to your posture, take a stretch break every hour, and focus your eyes on something far away every half hour. Limit your time on devices at home, and avoid them during meals or an hour before bedtime. 
  • If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That’s one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
  • Manage health problems. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, or another ongoing condition, follow your doctor’s recommendations and see them regularly.