What is Heart Disease?
“Heart disease” refers to several types of medical conditions with the most common being Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) which lessens how much blood is flowing to the heart. Often referred to as a silent disease, CAD and other heart-related ailments often remain undiagnosed until a person experiences symptoms associated with a major trauma such as a heart attack or heart failure.
If you or a family member are suffering from heart-related medical problems, time is of the essence. Earlier detection of potential issues is imperative and at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon FL, Dr. Elizabeth Biggers and Dr. Joel Biggers, are highly trained primary care physicians that can help diagnose and treat your condition.
Heart Disease Risk Factors
High cholesterol, smoking, and high blood pressure are the leading risk factors for heart disease with nearly half of all patients in the United States having at least one of those three conditions. Additionally, a patient’s lifestyle and existing chronic medical conditions may put you at higher risk of contracting heart disease if you meet any of the following:
- Obese
- Unhealthy diet
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol use
- Lack of exercise
At Biggers Family Medicine, Dr. Biggers serves as your primary care physician and can develop a treatment plan if you are diagnosed with heart disease.
3 Heart Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately:
- Pain Radiating to the Arm
A classic heart attack symptom is pain that radiates along the left side of your body and originates in your chest. - Chest Discomfort
If you are having a heart attack or experiencing a blocked artery then you will likely feel pain, pressure, and tightness in your chest. The feeling usually lasts longer than a few minutes and can feel as if an extremely heavy weight is sitting on your chest. - Irregular Heart Beat
Although it is common to experience an irregular heartbeat when you are overly excited or nervous, frequent arrhythmias or ones that last for longer than a few seconds require medical care.
At Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL we treat our patients like family and want to ensure that they receive the best care possible. If you are experiencing heart-related issues, give us a call at (813) 655-4646 to schedule an appointment.