Cardiovascular Health

Heart disease is a leading cause of mortality in the United States, causing 1 in 5 deaths. The good news is that heart disease is preventable and highly treatable when detected early. At CHAP Med in Sherman Oaks, California, family and osteopathic medicine specialists along with their experienced team, offer comprehensive cardiovascular health services to men and women. Schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment by phone or request one online today. Walk-ins by established patients are welcome.

What is cardiovascular health?

Cardiovascular health care at CHAP Med involves heart disease prevention and reducing the risk of heart disease-related complications.

Having a strong, functional heart is the result of living a healthy lifestyle and effectively managing heart disease risks, including high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), poor dental health, and obesity.

The experts at CHAP Med are highly skilled in heart disease prevention and helping patients manage heart disease and its risk factors.

How can I optimize my cardiovascular health?

Ways to maximize heart health to reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke include:

• Eating a nutritious diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other plant-based foods
• Limiting sodium, animal fats, and highly processed foods
• Exercising regularly
• Not smoking
• Minimizing stress
• Maintaining an ideal body weight
• Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
• Seeing a dentist regularly for dental cleanings and exams
• Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night

See your CHAP Med provider routinely to screen for risks of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Regular screening detects these chronic conditions early before complications develop. About 90% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable.

What are the leading cardiovascular health concerns?

Conditions linked to cardiovascular health problems include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• High triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia)
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Heart disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
• Congenital heart defects

Signs of a potential heart problem include chest pain, shortness of breath, neck or jaw pain, numbness, weakness, or coldness in your legs.

How are cardiovascular health conditions diagnosed?

The CHAP Med experts diagnose cardiovascular health problems and their risk factors by weighing you, checking your pulse and blood pressure, reviewing your medical history, and completing a physical exam.

They can order bloodwork, an electrocardiogram (EKG), an echocardiogram, Holter monitoring, chest X-rays, an MRI, or another imaging procedure. You might need cardiac catheterization, which uses a long, thin tube and dye to detect potential narrowing or blockages in blood vessels.

How are cardiovascular health problems treated?

The CHAP Med team focuses on cardiovascular disease prevention. They could recommend weight loss, medication, supplements, diet and exercise changes, cardiac rehabilitation, or minor (or major in some cases) surgery.

The CHAP Med team refers you to a cardiac surgeon when necessary to complete surgery. They follow up with you after surgery to ensure a successful outcome.

Call the office or book an appointment online to schedule an in-person or telemedicine cardiovascular health evaluation at CHAP Med today. Established patients are welcome to walk in without an appointment when necessary.