You should have a heart doctor on your wellness team for many reasons. Some people make the mistake of neglecting heart conditions when they care for their health. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6.7% of people over the age of 20 have cardiac artery disease. That's a surprising 18.2 million people, and many are unaware they have the condition. Here are several reasons why a heart specialist is an essential member of any healthcare team.

Early Intervention Can Be Life Saving

We have all heard stories about people having a sudden onset heart attack. These patients seemed healthy and had never had a heart problem before. However, in most cases, the victim of a heart attack actually did have heart issues in the past but was completely unaware of them. If a heart doctor had been a part of their wellness team, they would've been informed of their condition and could have taken steps to prevent the heart attack.

You Might Have a Family History of Cardiac Disease

Many conditions that affect how the heart functions can be passed down from parent to child. Heart disease is a generic term used to describe any health problem with the heart, such as heart valve issues, arrhythmia issues, blood flow issues, and more. If you have a family history of heart disease, it's especially important for you to consult with a doctor.

Baseline Data Can Help With Early Diagnosis

Most people see a cardiac care doctor only after having a cardiac episode. While they can help you understand what happened during the event, they will not be able to tell you about your heart function before the incident.

When you add a heart doctor to your wellness team they will perform a variety of tests to establish your baseline levels for various health metrics. When you have a visit for more diagnostic testing in the future, this data will give the doctor a basis for comparison for a more thorough understanding should an issue arise. They will also notice any concerning trends in your test results that can alert them to potential problems.

Add a heart doctor to your wellness team to ensure you get comprehensive medical care. It's crucial to make sure all aspects of your health receive attention, including parts of your body that you can't see. Call our team at Advanced Heart And Vascular Center of New Mexico today to get started with an appointment.