Cardiovascular diseases can be prevented and, if they do occur, they can almost always be detected early and corrected. Dr. Prof. Cruz Fernández, cardiologist and member of Top Doctors, insists on the need to monitor and control blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, especially if there is a family history. Not smoking, maintaining an adequate weight and moving daily are essential.
Some people may already have heart disease and not notice it, but clinical cardiologists can detect it most of the time, so they should be checked periodically even if they feel fine.
Apart from the clinical study, which is still essential, Dr. Cruz has a set of techniques, such as electrocardiogram, HOLTER, stress tests, echocardiography, myocardial perfusion studies or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which allow early diagnosis with virtually no risk. In addition, multislice and multidetector CT angiography can even show the status of coronary artery disease without the use of conventional cardiac catheterization.
Signs and symptoms of infarction
If one notices fatigue, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, pain or heaviness in the arms, wrists or throat area, or palpitations or dizziness with exertion or even without moving, one may have heart disease, but the chances of correcting it are very high.
Modern medications, stents, valve repairs or implants, pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, or the most advanced and minimally invasive surgical techniques may be necessary.
At this time, the figure of the clinical cardiologist is essential to inform and advise the patient on the best treatment in each case. The Internet is useful, but not all the information on the web is safe and can sometimes create anxiety, hopes or unfounded fears.
However, once the pathology has been corrected, it is necessary to continue taking care of oneself so as not to relapse into the same circumstances that led to the disease. In addition to the health systems, living longer and better also depends on oneself.