A heart attack is life-threatening. You can do a lot to help prevent heart attacks by practicing a heart-healthy lifestyle and visiting your cardiologist. The cardiologists at NOVA Cardiovascular Care provide comprehensive cardiology services, including diagnosis and treatment of a heart attack. They have two convenient office locations in Woodbridge, and Stafford, VA.

What You Need To Know About Heart Attacks

A heart attack can happen if the blood flow to the heart becomes blocked due to coronary artery disease. Fat builds up on the walls of the arteries, leading to the narrowing of the arteries and reduced blood flow. In severe cases, fat can completely block an artery, leading to a heart attack.

You are at increased risk of having a heart attack if you:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Have diabetes
• Are over the age of 45
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Have a family history of heart attacks

You may be having a heart attack if you experience:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Pain that radiates to your shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
• Fatigue or cold sweats
• Heartburn and nausea
• Dizziness or fainting

Remember that you can do a lot to help prevent heart attacks. Eating a heart-healthy diet is the first step. You need to:

• Avoid high-fat foods, especially saturated fats
• Avoid high-sugar foods
• Eat lean proteins including fish, poultry, or plant proteins
• Eat high-fiber foods to help you stay full so you eat less

You should also stay active by exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. You need to also visit a cardiologist for a complete cardiology examination. Your cardiologist may recommend a cardiac stress test, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram to assess your heart health.

Your cardiologist can prescribe medications and other services to help prevent a heart attack. Medications are designed to:

• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce cholesterol levels
• Stabilize blood sugar
• Reduce fat buildup in arteries

Want To Know More About Heart Attacks? 

To find out more about the causes, signs, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of heart attacks, call the cardiologists at NOVA Cardiovascular Care. You can reach them in Woodbridge, VA, by calling (703) 492-6822, or in Stafford, VA, by calling (540) 628-2173, so call today.