Heart Disease Specialist
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Gulf West Medical Associates
Rajesh B Dave, MD
Internal Medicine & Primary Care located in Port Richey, FL
Heart disease isn’t one condition, but an umbrella term for many heart problems. If you have heart disease, board-certified internist Rajesh Dave, MD, of Gulf West Medical Associates in Port Richey, Florida, can provide the expert care you need. Dr. Dave is an experienced physician providing outstanding service for men and women who have heart disease. For compassionate care and treatment, call Gulf West Medical Associates today or book an appointment online.
Heart Disease Q&A
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a name given to several conditions affecting the heart, including:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pericardial disease
- Aorta disease
Heart disease causes more deaths every year in the United States than any other health problem, but the majority of heart conditions aren’t only treatable but preventable.
Why is heart disease so serious?
Your heart is continually working, beating an average of 100,000 times a day. The heart pumps out oxygen-enriched blood and delivers it to every part of your body through your arteries. Used blood cycles back to your heart to be filled with oxygen again.
Your heart never stops working, because even a short time without your heart beating can be fatal. In most cases of heart disease, the heart is still pumping, but not working as well as it should. Unless these conditions get the right treatment, your heart could fail.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Heart disease can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the condition. Some of the more common signs of heart disease include:
- Chest pain
- Chest tightness
- Pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Tachycardia (racing heart)
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Lack of energy
- Chronic fatigue
- Swollen legs and ankles
If these symptoms sound familiar, you should visit Dr. Dave so he can check your heart function. If you have chest pain and are struggling to breathe, call 911.
What causes heart disease?
Some heart disease conditions are congenital, which means they’re present at birth — a hole in the heart, for example. However, most heart disease develops in later life because of an unhealthy lifestyle. Typical contributing factors for developing heart disease include:
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Drug abuse
- Chronic stress
- High cholesterol
High blood pressure and diabetes can lead to heart disease, but these are also largely due to an unhealthy lifestyle.
In some cases, infections or toxins can get into the heart and cause heart disease.
How is heart disease treated?
Treatment for heart disease depends on the cause of your condition. If your heart disease is due to your lifestyle, then Dr. Dave can support you in your efforts to lose weight, quit smoking and drinking, and lead a healthier lifestyle.
You might need medications for some forms of heart disease, for example, ACE inhibitors to widen your arteries and lower blood pressure, or beta-blockers to keep your heart from racing.
Find out how healthy your heart is by visiting Dr. Dave for a checkup. Call Gulf West Medical Associates today or book an appointment online.
