Better Heart Health Begins Here

A heart condition, regardless of how mild or severe, may have a negative impact on your future. Desert Care Network has an accredited heart care program which includes comprehensive care for a variety of heart conditions, plus advanced heart and vascular services and treatment options for the specific heart health needs of patients in Palm Springs and nearby cities. We offer:

• Treatment for high blood pressure, angina, atherosclerosis or other vascular or coronary diseases
• A cardiac rehabilitation program designed to improve your physical strength and stamina following a heart attack or heart surgery
• Minimally invasive treatment for atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart-rhythm disorder
• Quality and safety accreditation by The Joint Commission

Why Is Your Heart Health Important?

Your heart is a critical organ in your body. It provides the oxygen and nutrients that other organs need to function properly, and it also pumps blood across your system. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, in the United States, one person dies from heart disease every 36 seconds. Hence, it remains the leading cause of death in the country. And right here in the Coachella Valley, more than 30 percent of the population has either high cholesterol or high blood pressure – two of the leading indicators for heart disease. That is according to our local health needs assessment, the Coachella Valley Community Health Survey, produced by the nonprofit organization, HARC.

Some of the best ways to keep your heart healthy include seeing a cardiologist for a heart screening, consuming a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and more.

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a general term that refers to a wide variety of heart conditions including the following:

• Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat
• Atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries
• Cardiomyopathy or the hardening or weakening of the heart’s muscles
• Congenital heart defects or heart irregularities that are present at birth
• Heart attack
• Heart infections
• Ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease (CAD)

What Causes Heart Disease and What Are Its Risk Factors?

Since there are different types of heart conditions, the cause of each specific type may also vary. For instance, heart infection usually comes from bacteria, parasites and viruses, while coronary heart disease may be caused by plaque buildup in the wall of the arteries. Meanwhile, some of the factors that may increase a person’s risk for having heart disease include the following:

• Clinical depression
• Diabetes or insulin resistance
• Excessive drinking of alcohol
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Lack of exercise
• Obesity or being overweight
• Smoking
• Too much stress
• Unhealthy diet

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?

Some people may not know they have heart disease because it may show no symptoms and remain silent for some time. This is why at Desert Care Network, we recommend regular heart screenings for early detection and prevention. Here are some of the most common symptoms of heart disease:

• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Chest pain
• Cold sweats
• Fainting and/or dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Jaw pain
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting

How Does a Cardiologist in Palm Springs Diagnose Heart Disease?

Our cardiovascular physicians, with the help of other medical practitioners and our hospital staff, may conduct an initial risk assessment. This may involve asking about your medical and family health history, checking your blood pressure, a physical exam and requesting blood tests. If your results indicate that you may be suffering from a heart condition, the cardiologist may also request, although not limited to, any of the following tests:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scans
• Coronary angiography
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Exercise stress test
• Further blood tests
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Radionuclide tests
  

What Are the Treatment Options for Heart Disease?

Our heart doctors in Palm Springs may recommend several treatment options based on your specific condition. These may include any of the following:

• Lifestyle changes (i.e., avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption, being physically active, eating healthier, managing stress etc.)
• Prescription medicines (i.e., blood thinners, diuretics, nitrates, statins, etc.)
• Heart surgery and procedures (i.e., angioplasty, heart bypass, heart transplant, etc.)