If you are planning to see your cardiologist- it is indeed a wise move! Paying heed to your heart and its health can safeguard you from “n” number of diseases that might get difficult to deal with. With statistics like heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women.

General cardiologists are experts who primarily focus on the heart. If you are at risk for heart disease, a routine check-up with this specialized physician/syncope clinic can help you stay abreast of your heart health.

6 Reasons to Visit a Cardiologist

1. Your primary care physician wants to have your heart checked. Maybe your family doctor spots a red sign during your exam and wants to have your heart checked. Or it could be that your personal or family history warrants an exam by a physician who focuses on the heart.

2. Family health history. Most of the heart diseases have a strong correlation with genetics. Scroll through the pages of history, chart your family tree, and ask questions from your family members about their health. If you notice a pattern of heart disease, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, schedule a meet with your cardiologist or valvular heart disease clinic.

3. High Blood Pressure. Regular blood pressure check is a must from age 20 onwards. If your blood pressure is soaring high, it is crucial that you get it under control. High blood pressure is a strong risk factor for both heart disease and stroke.

4. High Cholesterol. Increased cholesterol does not carry symptoms and can be difficult to manage. As one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease, getting cholesterol numbers under control is important.

5. History of Preeclampsia. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, research has revealed that women who have had a history of preeclampsia—high blood pressure during pregnancy or in the postpartum period—have a double chance of heart disease.

6. Your heart age is higher than your age. Do you know your overall risk for heart disease? If the answer is no, take some time to find it.

You may be surprised to see that chest pain is not on our list. That is because if you are experiencing new and persistent chest pain- if this happens don’t delay seeking treatment from heart failure clinic.

Therefore, getting your heart checked by a cardiologist is extremely important, so is making lifestyle changes to better your heart health.