Fighting heart disease, together

Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. The condition often has no symptoms, but if it is untreated, it can cause potentially deadly health conditions, such as stroke. Hypertension can usually be controlled through a combination of eating healthier, reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, and taking medications.

Coronary artery disease affects the heart’s major blood vessels. Usually, it is caused by a buildup of plaque — a combination of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium, and other substances — that causes the coronary arteries to narrow, restricting blood flow to the heart, which can lead to chest pain or heart attack. It can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty, and surgery.

Lipidemia is the presence of fat particles or lipids in the blood. A few lipids you may have heard about include cholesterol and triglycerides. These substances can deposit in blood vessels and restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The condition, which is not associated with symptoms, is diagnosed by routine blood tests. Treatment usually involves medication, a healthy diet, and exercise.

A blood clot is blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. While clotting is normal, a clot gets dangerous when it forms in an artery or vein and does not dissolve on its own. If it travels to your heart and lungs, it can prevent blood flow. We treat clots with anti-coagulants, blood thinners that help prevent blood clots from forming.