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Heart Disease

Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common types of heart disease include coronary artery disease (CAD)  and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

How to detect heart disease

Community Health’s primary care providers use routine exams to determine your risk of heart disease. They proactively look for the early signs of heart disease through screenings and prevention initiatives and may recommend lifestyle changes, medications and even refer you to a cardiologist if needed.

These routine exams, blood pressure and heart rate, are the ones that you have had each time you visit your provider. Your provider will also:

  • Listen to your heart and lungs
  • Check for swelling in your feet
  • Order blood tests to look at your cholesterol, blood counts, or check for diabetes

You may also be scheduled for an electrocardiogram (EKG), a non-invasive test that uses electrodes on your chest and limbs to monitor your heart’s electrical activity.

Heart Health Risk Factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about half of all Americans (47%) have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking

Other risk factors, like your age or family history, cannot be controlled. But by working with your primary care provider, you can take steps to lower your risk of heart disease by changing what you can control and creating a healthier future.

Vermont’s 3-4-50 Heart Health Initiative

Heart disease is one of the four diseases resulting from the three behaviors responsible for over 50% of deaths in Vermont.

How to Take Charge of Your Heart Health

Your primary care provider can help you take charge of your own heart health with these preventive steps:

  • Know your family’s health history and heart health and discuss that with your primary care provider during your annual physical.
  • Help manage your diet or refer you to a dietitian. Being overweight can be a strong risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.
  • If you have high blood pressure, your provider can help you with lifestyle changes that can naturally lower blood pressure or can prescribe medications.

Heart disease and diabetes often go hand in hand. Ask your provider about a personalized care plan for your specific needs if you are diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. If lifestyle changes aren’t working, your provider may refer you to a cardiologist.

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Heart Disease