[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/prevent-cardiovascular-disease\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/prevent-cardiovascular-disease\/","headline":"Heart Health: How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease","name":"Heart Health: How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease","description":"Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is a term used to describe the range of conditions affecting the heart. It\u2019s the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201cIt’s well known that heart disease is the number one cause of death for men, […]","datePublished":"2020-11-13","dateModified":"2022-01-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/iStock-1189302646.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/iStock-1189302646.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/prevent-cardiovascular-disease\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":501,"articleBody":"Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is a term used to describe the range of conditions affecting the heart. It\u2019s the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\u201cIt’s well known that heart disease is the number one cause of death for men, but the data on women is relatively new,\u201d says Olga Shabalov, MD, a cardiologist at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, who sees patients in West Mifflin and Shadyside. \u201cWe are seeing more data come out including how heart disease is more difficult to recognize in women. So, it’s very important that women also pay attention to their heart health.\u201dDr. Shabalov has tips for keeping your heart healthy, and the symptoms of heart disease you should watch out for.What are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?A heart attack is a form of heart disease. While the classic symptom is chest pain, \u201cit\u2019s important to know symptoms can be vague,\u201d says Dr. Shabalov, whose patients have reported not having any pain, but rather feeling pressure, tightness, or discomfort.Some of Shabalov\u2019s patients have experienced chest pain with additional symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, light headedness, weakness, heartburn, or breaking out in sweats. Women are more likely to experience these symptoms, as well as pain between the shoulder blades and in the back of the neck.In addition to symptoms, age and family history are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.How Do You Keep Your Heart Healthy?Leading a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing heart disease. Dr. Shabalov recommends aerobic exercise for one hour at least five days per week. \u201cBiking, swimming, walking \u2013 any of that would be great,\u201d she notes.Your diet is also important. Dr. Shabalov advises a healthy diet with decreased carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, such as red meat, and an increase in vegetables, fish, and healthy fats like avocados and beans.Everyone should also understand their blood pressure numbers. \u201cIncreases in blood pressure can go unrecognized for close to 10 years. If you run high blood pressure, you might not know it until it\u2019s very high,\u201d warns Dr. Shabalov.High blood pressure can lead to a heart attack and have further impacts. \u201cYou could experience damage to your kidneys and memory before you even realize you have high blood pressure,\u201d she adds.Comprehensive Cardiac Care \u2013 Expanding in West MifflinIn December 2020, Dr. Shabalov will begin seeing patients at the new UPMC Outpatient Center on Clairton Boulevard. South Hills residents will have access to the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute\u2019s world-recognized care \u2013 right in their neighborhood at a brand new comprehensive medical and outpatient surgery center. At this state-of-the-art facility, patients can receive care for all their heart needs including:EchocardiogramsElectrocardiogramsReferrals to cardiac specialistsStress testsTo learn more about your cardiac care options, visit the\u00a0UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute\u00a0or call\u00a01-855-UPMC-HVI\u00a0(1-855-876-2484) to make an appointment."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Heart Health: How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/11\/prevent-cardiovascular-disease\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]