Advanced Care for Heart Disease in Northern California
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that cause problems with how the heart functions.
Common types of heart disease include:
- Heart valve disease, including aortic, pulmonary, mitral, and tricuspid valve disease
- Birth defects, including adult congenital heart disease
- Abnormal or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), such as atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Heart attack
- Heart failure, including congestive heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Atherosclerosis, which can lead to carotid artery disease
- Heart infections
Dignity Health North State cardiologists offer the latest treatments to slow and even reverse heart disease in Northern California. Take a step toward better heart health and make an appointment with a heart specialist near you. For the expertise and personalized care you deserve, Find a Doctor today.
Heart Disease Symptoms
The signs of heart disease aren’t always easy to pinpoint. Some forms have no symptoms until later in the disease, while in others, the symptoms are very subtle.
Most often, symptoms of heart disease include:
- Chest pain
- Feeling out of breath with physical exertion
- Fatigue
- Backache
- Nausea
- Feeling lightheaded
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Indigestion
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Wet cough
- Erectile dysfunction — affects some men with heart disease
Heart disease symptoms, especially those of a heart attack, can come on slowly and mildly. The best way to detect these warning signs is to receive regular medical care from your primary care doctor or cardiologist.
You should call 911 for immediate medical attention if you think you or a loved one is having a heart attack, brought on by these symptoms:
- Severe chest pain
- Dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back
Heart Disease Causes
The main cause of heart disease is plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Your risk for developing clogged arteries increases with:
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Diet high in fat and cholesterol
Heart Disease Treatment at Dignity Health North State
The type of treatment for heart disease you or a loved one receives depends on your condition. Our cardiovascular specialists rely on lifestyle changes, medication, and minimally invasive procedures and surgery to treat a range of heart problems.
No matter how mild or severe the case, Dignity Health North State doctors focus on a range of treatment goals, such as relieving symptoms, preventing complications, reducing risk factors, or correcting physical problems to improve quality of life. Contact us to learn more.
Dignity Health North State works to prevent, treat, and manage heart disease in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.
Did you know that 80% of heart disease and stroke are preventable?
Here are five steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk:
- Eat a low fat, low salt diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be more physically active and exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking and using tobacco
- Get quality, restful sleep
