Caring for Your Heart Starts With Prevention
Taking care of your heart is one of the most important things you can do for your health. While heart disease is the leading cause of death in Americans, it’s often preventable when you take simple steps to care for your heart, like eating healthier, staying active and managing stress.
At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, our heart health doctors, nurses and care teams are committed to making heart care more accessible. Because when you care for your heart today, you’re investing in a healthier tomorrow. To take charge of your heart health, request an appointment or take our heart risk assessment below.
Feel Confident in Your Preventive Cardiovascular Care
Protecting your cardiovascular system is our priority. And with a connected network of cardiovascular specialists across Chicago’s Western Suburbs, you can feel confident entrusting yours to us. Our doctors receive the highest levels of training, and we believe anything is possible when compassion and innovation go hand in hand.
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Access to Preventive Heart Screenings
We use advanced diagnostic tools and screenings to identify risk early and help you take proactive steps to protect your heart health.
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Connected, Preventive Care
Your care is guided by a team of heart specialists who work together to assess risk, support prevention and keep your heart on track.
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Focused on Lifelong Heart Health
We’re here to help you stay ahead of heart disease with ongoing support, personalized guidance and strategies to reduce your risk over time.
Services We Offer to Support Your Heart Health
- Advanced cardiovascular testing
- Annual heart health screenings
- Blood pressure monitoring and management
- Cardiac risk assessment
- Family history and genetic risk evaluation
- Heart-healthy nutrition counseling
- Lifestyle support
- Medication management
- Personalized prevention plans
- Smoking and tobacco cessation support
Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care to Support Your Whole Health
- Heart Health and Prevention Education
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Taking care of your heart is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health. At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we help identify and manage cardiovascular risk factors before they become more serious concerns. If you're at increased risk for heart disease, our experienced cardiovascular team can provide screenings, education and personalized guidance to help you stay ahead of potential health issues.
Our goal is to help our communities embrace a heart-healthy lifestyle through prevention-focused care and education. By encouraging regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, mental well-being and routine health screenings, we’ll help you make informed choices that support a healthier future.
- Know Your Cardiovascular Risk Factors
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The more you understand your heart health, the more equipped you'll be to make informed choices that support your long-term well-being. While some risk factors for heart disease, such as age and family history, are beyond your control, many others can be managed through healthy lifestyle habits and preventive care. At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we're here to help you recognize and address factors that may increase your risk for heart disease, including:
- Excess weight or obesity
- Family history of heart disease or cardiovascular conditions
- Limited physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle
- Poor eating habits and poor nutrition
- Stress, anxiety or other emotional health concerns
Each of these factors can influence your heart health, but small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference. Our care team provides education, resources and support to help you build heart-healthy habits, from nutritious meal planning and healthy recipes to guidance on physical activity and emotional wellness. Through preventive care and personalized support, we'll help you take an active role in protecting your heart and supporting your overall health for years to come.
- Advanced Heart Health Screenings
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Listening to and visualizing your heart are great first steps toward preventing heart and vascular diseases. That's why we offer state-of-the-art cardiac imaging to spot early warning signs and help prevent heart issues before they happen, including:
- Blood glucose testing to identify diabetes or prediabetes, conditions that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Blood pressure screenings to detect high blood pressure, one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke
- Cardiac calcium scoring to measure calcium buildup in the coronary arteries and help assess your risk for developing heart disease
- Carotid artery ultrasounds to evaluate blood flow in the arteries leading to the brain and identify narrowing or blockages that may increase stroke risk
- Cholesterol screenings to evaluate cholesterol and triglyceride levels and better understand your risk for plaque buildup in the arteries
- Coronary angiograms to provide detailed images of the coronary arteries and help identify blocked or narrowed blood vessels
- Digital angiography gives physicians high-resolution, real-time images that support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning
- Echocardiograms to provide detailed images of your heart's structure, function and blood flow
- Heart health risk assessments to help evaluate your cardiovascular risk factors and guide conversations about preventive care and lifestyle changes
- Holter and event monitoring to track your heart rhythm over time and help detect intermittent arrhythmias that may not appear during a routine ECG
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) screenings to identify circulation concerns and blocked blood vessels that may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications
- Stress testing to evaluate how your heart performs during physical activity and identify potential circulation concerns
At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we're committed to helping our communities take a proactive approach to heart health. Many of our locations offer free or low-cost heart screenings, making it easier to understand your cardiovascular risk and take the next steps toward prevention. Beyond screenings, our care teams provide guidance and support to help you build heart-healthy habits through nutrition, exercise, stress management and other lifestyle changes. Together, we'll help you create a plan that supports a stronger, healthier future.
Be Proactive With Our Heart Risk Assessment
Evaluating your risk for heart disease helps you see the full picture of your health and take meaningful steps toward heart disease prevention.
Find Support for a Healthier Heart
Taking care of your heart is easier when you have the right support. Our team is here to help you understand your risks, explore your options and feel confident in your next steps. Find heart health support that’s centered on you.
Answering Your Heart Disease FAQs
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Q:Question: How can I improve my heart health?
A:Answer:Incorporate healthy lifestyle changes that you can remain consistent with to protect your heart.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerTaking steps to improve your heart health can powerfully impact your overall well-being. The good news is that small, consistent changes can make a big difference:
- Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats like fish or nuts. Reduce salt, sugar and saturated fat intake to protect your heart.
- Get regular checkups: Work with your doctor to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and other key indicators of heart health.
- Manage stress: Incorporate relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing or meditation into your routine to support your heart and mental health.
- Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the best ways to improve your heart health and reduce risks.
- Stay active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, most days of the week. To make this habit sustainable, find activities you enjoy.
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Q:Question: What are the early signs of heart disease?
A:Answer:There are many early warning signs of heart disease, like chest pain, shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerRecognizing the early signs of heart disease can be lifesaving. One of the most common symptoms is chest discomfort, which may feel like pressure, tightness or pain, particularly during physical activity or stress. Some people also experience shortness of breath, making it difficult to perform regular tasks or rest comfortably.
Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet might indicate poor circulation, while unusual fluttering or racing sensations in your chest, known as palpitations, could point to an irregular heartbeat. If you notice these symptoms, it's important that you seek medical attention immediately.
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Q:Question: Does family history increase my risk of heart disease?
A:Answer:Because of genetics, family history can play a role in your heart disease risk, but it’s not the only factor to consider.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf close relatives have had heart disease, particularly at a younger age, your likelihood of developing it may be higher. But remember, genetics are just one piece of the puzzle. You can offset many risks with lifestyle changes like regular exercise and routine preventive cardiology care.
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Q:Question: When should I see a doctor for heart health concerns?
A:Answer:It’s a good idea to visit your doctor regularly to check your heart health so you can catch issues early before they become serious.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerYou don’t have to wait for symptoms to appear to prioritize your heart health. You can start now by prioritizing routine checkups that monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If you develop symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained fatigue, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
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Q:Question: How can I prevent heart disease if I’m already experiencing risk factors?
A:Answer:Incorporate healthy lifestyle changes and remain consistent with them to reduce further risk.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf you have risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, you can still take healthy steps to protect your heart:
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake: These habits can amplify risks but are reversible with changes.
- Eat healthily: Stick to heart-healthy foods that support your heart and limit processed foods.
- Follow your doctor’s advice: Take prescribed medications and attend follow-ups regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Even small amounts of weight loss can improve your heart health.
- Stay physically active: Regular physical activity helps manage weight, blood sugar and blood pressure.
By being proactive and making healthy choices, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and lead a healthy life.
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Q:Question: What are the risks of heart disease for women and men?
A:Answer:Women experience subtle symptoms of heart disease like fatigue and nausea. However, men exhibit the more typical symptoms like chest pain and discomfort.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerHeart disease affects both women and men, but the risks and symptoms can vary. Women are more likely to experience subtle symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea or pain in the jaw or back, making it crucial to stay attuned to less obvious warning signs. Hormonal changes, such as those during menopause, can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease, so practicing preventive measures earlier in life is important.
Men often exhibit more typical symptoms like chest pain or discomfort. They also tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than women. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking and stress play significant roles in increasing men’s risk of heart problems.
Understanding personal risks, recognizing symptoms and committing to a healthy lifestyle are vital for both women and men. By working with your healthcare provider, you can take control of your heart health and reduce risks, paving the way for a healthier future.
Start Your Path to Relief
Take the next step toward a healthier future by requesting an appointment and completing a heart risk assessment so you can better understand your risk and protect your heart.