By Socrates Perez-Rodriguez, MD, Internal Medicine at Millennium Physician Group
Many of us may think of heart disease as something that happens suddenly, a diagnosis that arrives without warning.
In reality, your heart health is shaped quietly over time by everyday habits, personal and family history, and preventive care. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, but fortunately, there is a great deal you can do to protect your heart and improve your overall health.
Heart-healthy living begins with understanding your personal risk, making thoughtful lifestyle choices, and taking steps to reduce your likelihood of developing heart disease. You can start small and gradually increase preventive measures to lower your risk. What’s most important is that this is not a one-time effort but something you work on every day.
Understanding Heart Disease
Most often, when people are talking about heart disease, they are referring to the most common form: coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease.
Coronary heart disease develops when the coronary arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. This occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries. Several factors can contribute to plaque buildup:
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Elevated blood sugar levels
When plaque restricts blood flow, the heart doesn’t receive the oxygen it needs to function properly. This can lead to chest pain and, in severe cases, a heart attack. Because plaque buildup happens gradually, many people are unaware of the problem until a serious event occurs, making prevention and
understanding your risk essential.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
The first step in protecting your heart is understanding your risk and recognizing the early warning signs. Heart disease is influenced by many factors, some of which can be changed. Common risk factors include:
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Medically overweight or obesity
• Prediabetes or diabetes
• Smoking
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Family history of early heart disease
Age is also a key factor, with risk increasing for women after age 55 and men after age 45.
Conditions like high blood pressure or high
cholesterol often have no noticeable symptoms. That’s why routine checkups and risk assessments with your healthcare provider are so important.
Heart Disease in Women
While women tend to develop heart disease about 10 years later than men, it remains the leading cause of death among women, accounting for one in three deaths each year. Certain life stages and conditions can increase a woman’s risk:
• Pregnancy-related conditions such as preeclampsia
• Early menopause, whether natural or surgical
• Menopause
After menopause, the risk of heart disease rises in part because estrogen levels decline. Women who experience early menopause are at even greater risk, developing heart disease at approximately twice the rate of women of the same age who have yet to experience menopause.
Furthermore, heart disease symptoms may differ between men and women and are often
misunderstood. While chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, women may also experience:
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
• Back or jaw pain
• Extreme fatigue
Recognizing these symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention can be lifesaving.
Daily Heart Disease Prevention
Preventing heart disease starts with small habits that support your cardiovascular health.
Sleep
Aiming for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep every night doesn’t just help you feel rested; it lowers your heart rate and blood pressure so your heart can rest, too.
Nutrition
Opt for meals and snacks that include lean proteins, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Read all nutrition labels to limit saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in your diet.
Physical Activity
Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, including muscle-strengthening activities. Remember to stay hydrated!
Other Preventions
• Stop smoking, even light smoking
• Manage your stress
• Monitor cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure
• Practice self-care
Care For Your Heart at Millennium Physician Group
As Zenobia Brown, MD, our Florida Chief Medical Officer, often points out, “Maintaining heart health requires a holistic approach, looking beyond symptoms to the daily habits, risks, and preventive care that support long-term wellness. As primary care providers, our goal is to empower patients with knowledge and support so they can take control of their health.”
Before making any lifestyle changes or starting a new health routine, it’s important to talk with your provider about your risk factors and medical history, along with your personal health goals. At Millennium Physician Group, our team is your health partner, working with you to create a customized care plan that includes achievable proactive steps to reduce your risk and build sustainable, heart-healthy habits.
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This information is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical guidance, diagnosis or treatment. No physician-patient relationship is created by this or its use.