Caradiac Risk Assessment

Coronary artery disease, also known as heart disease, is a serious condition caused by the buildup of fatty substances, such as cholesterol, fat or cells that collect along the lining of the coronary arteries. This buildup, called plaque, develops over time and can lead to blockages within the arteries, increasing your risk of a heart attack, stroke or even death.
There are many common risks that are likely to increase a person's chances of developing heart disease. Being aware of these risks and taking steps to reduce them can effectively help prevent this serious condition and maintain your quality of life.
At Torrance Family Family Care, we provide a complete cardiac risk assessment to evaluate your risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and related conditions. Some of the risk factors commonly associated with heart disease include:

• High Blood Pressure
• Close Relative With Heart Disease
• High Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Overweight
• Unhealthy Diet
• No Regular Exercise

If you think you may be at an increased risk for heart disease and associated conditions, it is important to receive a professional evaluation and corresponding treatment plan in order to best protect yourself from this disease developing or progressing.

Risk Evaluation

Our doctors perform a comprehensive evaluation in order to detect any risk factors, which includes a full physical examination, assessment of your medical and family histories, blood tests and questions about your lifestyle habits. We also perform noninvasive diagnostic procedures to determine heart rate and stress levels and to detect any blockages or other abnormalities within the heart and associated vascular passages.
Tests performed as part of your cardiac risk evaluation may include electrocardiogram, stress testing, CT scan, echocardiogram and MRI. More invasive testing, such as angiography or cardiac catheterization may be performed on some patients in order to carefully examine any potential abnormalities and come to an accurate conclusion.

Preventing Heart Disease

For patients at an increased risk of developing heart disease, we also provide comprehensive prevention services to help patients prevent or slow the prevention of this disease. Fortunately, there are many simple lifestyle changes that can be made in order to reduce your risk of heart disease. Some of these may include:

• Stop Smoking
• Lower Your Blood Pressure
• Eat a Healthy Diet
• Exercise Regularly
• Have Regular Medical Check-ups

Lowering cholesterol is one of the most effective ways to lower your risk of heart disease, and can be done by eating more fish, fruits, vegetables and grains; reducing the level of fats in your dairy products; and choosing leaner cuts of meat.

If you already have heart disease, your doctor will help develop a customized treatment plan to reduce your risk of complications and slow the progression of the disease. Treatment may include medication, lifestyle changes or surgical procedures, depending on the severity of the condition.