America has become accustomed to only visiting the doctor when they feel sick. When healthy, it gets put off or not even thought of in the first place. The problem with this would be the same as if you only took your car in when it broke down. Taking your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance helps keep it in good running order and prevent expensive breakdowns.

Your body is your vehicle. Taking care of it if you want to live a healthy life is vital.

While many wait for an annual physical to discuss symptoms with their doctor if you are having symptoms, especially heart related – how long should you wait and how severe should you let those symptoms get before you decide to head in for an earlier appointment with a cardiologist?

When to See a Cardiologist:

1. Your family doctor has  recommended you do so

If your physician is recommending you go it is for good cause. Don’t put it off. It could make things worse.

2. Heart/Chest Pain

If you are having unidentified chest pains. Go immediately. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

3. Family History of heart issues

Make sure to discuss the family history of heart disease with your cardiologist as well as your family doctor.

4. High Total Cholesterol

Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in your blood. The higher your total cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart disease (a cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher).

5. Hypertension

You have high blood pressure or a high systolic number. The systolic number on your blood pressure reading is the first number. This wears on your whole cardiovascular system. It needs to be brought in to a normal range.

6. You Smoke

Smoking lowers the flow of oxygen to the heart and increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood clotting as well as damages the cells lining the arteries.

7. You are Diabetic

Diabetes contributes to heart disease. If you experience symptoms of heart problems and are diabetic, you should see a cardiologist.

8. You are Pregnant

Preeclampsia is often a hidden risk factor for heart disease. The two times a woman is most likely to develop heart disease is during pregnancy or post-menopause.

9. Working out

Age 40 and over and starting a new exercise program? A cardiologist can check your heart health and recommend exercises that would be good for you.

10. Gum Disease

Gum disease happens when the body is inflamed. Patients with swollen gums often have heart disease.

If you are at risk or experiencing any of these symptoms we would like to schedule you for an appointment in our Tampa, Florida office. Tampa Cardiovascular Associates care about your heart health and want the best for you. Give us a call at (813) 975-2800 or visit www.tampacardio.com.