Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness for adults in the U.S. The question of how we prevent heart disease matters if we want to live healthier lives, not just longer ones.
The good news is that many risk factors are modifiable.
Preventive care, everyday habits, and early awareness all play a role in helping you reduce your risk over time.
Understanding what heart disease is, how it develops, and what warning signs to watch for can make prevention feel more practical and achievable for you.
Heart Disease and Risk: The Basics
Heart disease is a broad term used to describe conditions that affect how your heart functions. Many heart-related problems develop gradually, influenced by your lifestyle, your genetics, and any underlying health conditions you have.
Preventive care from your Primary Care doctor focuses on identifying risk early and supporting your heart health before serious problems develop.
Heart Disease vs Congenital Heart Disease: What’s the Difference?
Heart disease and congenital heart disease are not the same.
Congenital heart disease refers to structural heart conditions present at birth.
Heart disease, on the other hand, typically develops later in life and is often linked to factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and inactivity.
This distinction matters to you in the context of preventing heart disease because prevention strategies mainly apply to making sure you don’t acquire heart disease, not congenital conditions.
Is High Blood Pressure Considered Heart Disease?
High blood pressure is not classified as heart disease itself, but it is one of the strongest risk factors for developing it.
Over time, elevated blood pressure places strain on your heart and blood vessels, which increases the likelihood of heart-related complications developing.
But that’s something you can help prevent if you manage your blood pressure through lifestyle changes and regular checkups.
Why Is Physical Activity So Important in Preventing Heart Disease?
This is a key point. As a society, we’ve become used to sitting down a lot! It’s comfortable and our work often demands it.
But regular physical activity will support your heart health in multiple ways. For example, it:
- Helps regulate blood pressure (see above for why it’s important)
- Improves cholesterol levels (because raised LDL starts to block your arteries)
- Supports blood sugar balance (muscle movement assists insulin in its job)
- Strengthens the heart muscle (by giving your heart rate a workout!)
Movement also contributes to maintaining a healthy weight for you and managing stress – both important factors for good cardiovascular health.
Physical activity doesn’t have to mean intense workouts.
Consistent walking, cycling, swimming, or other moderate activities can make a meaningful difference when done regularly. You’re aiming for sustainability, not perfection.
Signs of Heart Disease You Shouldn’t Ignore
Recognizing early warning signs can lead to earlier evaluation and care so you stay healthy.
Common signs of heart disease may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, or unexplained fatigue. Symptoms can appear gradually and may not always feel dramatic, which is why people sometimes overlook them.
Signs of Women’s Heart Disease – and What About Men?
Both men and women can experience classic heart-related symptoms, such as chest pressure or pain. However, women are more likely to also experience less typical symptoms, including nausea, unusual fatigue, dizziness, or pain in the jaw, neck, or back.
Men may be more likely to report chest pain as a primary symptom, while women may notice subtler changes.
These differences don’t mean heart disease looks entirely different in women and men, but they do highlight why paying attention to any persistent or unusual symptoms matters – regardless of gender.
Everyday Ways to Prevent Heart Disease
Daily habits play a significant role in helping prevent heart disease. If you can make small, consistent changes, you’ll probably have more chance of staying healthy than trying for drastic changes that you then forget to keep up with.
So what preventive strategies do we advise at Stella Mattina?
1 Try to stay physically active on and off all day. If you work at a desk, get up and move every hour.
2 Eat a balanced diet choosing whole foods over ultra-processed ones where possible. These help your gut stay healthy, which can support weight loss or weight management.
3 Manage your stress levels. Meditation, coloring, calm breathing – anything that helps reset your system to normal.
4 Avoid smoking and, as much as possible, avoid inhaling smoke. These are major causes of heart problems.
5 Keep up with routine medical visits. Preventive screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, help identify risk early.
February Is Heart Month: Why Awareness Matters
February is Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and prevention. It serves as a reminder for us all to schedule checkups, start or revisit healthy habits, and have conversations about family history and risk factors.
The aim of Heart Awareness Month is to emphasize the value of prevention, education, and early action rather than wait for symptoms to appear.
Stella Mattina’s Primary Care Doctors in Dallas Can Help You Prevent Heart Disease
If you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or concerning symptoms, it’s worth discussing heart health with your doctor.
Our experience at Stella Mattina is that preventive care is most effective when it’s personalized, proactive, and ongoing. And that’s what we’re passionate about: keeping you healthy.
With several locations to choose from and same-day appointments available, we make it as easy as possible to work around your busy schedule and keep your heart healthy all year. Schedule your appointment with one of our primary care clinics here.
Asma Bhaidani, PA-C
AsmaBhaidani, PA-C graduated in 2008 from Midwestern University in Arizona with a Masters in Medical Science. She received her undergraduate in Psychology with a focus on Pre-Med. With nearly two decades of experience, Asma uses her background in non-narcotic pain management, weight loss counseling, and Family Medicine to empower the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to achieve their wellness aims.