Heart Disease

Fact or Myth: Better Understanding Heart Disease

heart-icon-with-stethoscopeWe all know that heart disease is incredibly common, and that it is the leading cause of death for adults in the US. But there’s also a lot about the condition that many people don’t know, or at least don’t fully understand. Heart disease is complex and can affect different people in different ways. That’s why it’s so important to get your information on the subject from a trusted source, like the expert healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine. In honor of American Heart Month this February, we thought it would be appropriate to separate fact from fiction when it comes to a few common statements about heart disease.

Heart Disease Only Affects Older People

This is a myth. The truth is that young and middle-aged people can also develop heart issues including cardiovascular disease, especially as related health conditions like obesity and Type 2 diabetes become more prevalent among younger people. Additionally, lifestyle choices that a person makes when they are younger can drastically affect their risk of developing heart disease later in life. Plaque can start building up in the arteries as early as childhood and adolescence.

A Heart Attack Can Occur Even Without Certain Common Symptoms

This is true. Not every heart attack is the same. While we commonly associate certain symptoms like chest pain and discomfort, there is such a thing as a heart attack with more mild or subtle symptoms. This can include difficulty breathing, feeling nauseous or lightheaded, and pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, or back. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical assistance at once in order to be safe.

A Family History of Heart Disease Means I Will Definitely Develop It

This is a myth. While it is true that having a parent or sibling with heart issues can increase a person’s risk of heart disease, coronary artery disease (the most common form of heart disease) is more linked to a person’s lifestyle than any genetic factors. Heart disease can be prevented by modeling heart-healthy behaviors like eating healthy, exercising, and not smoking. Even for people with a family history of the condition. Having a family history of heart disease does mean a person should be more vigilant and proactive when it comes to their heart health.

Heart health is no laughing matter and our hope is that our readers will take this information seriously and do what they can to promote heart health and wellness as the year goes on. This includes scheduling an annual wellness check-up with your healthcare provider to discuss what you can do to improve the state of your heart health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Facts to Know During Arthritis Awareness Month This May

patiernt-with-pain-in-hand-knucklesFor people who experience arthritis, the pain and frustration can be an everyday struggle. Arthritis causes inflammation in joints all over the body, leading to chronic symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with range of motion. And while it may seem virtually impossible to find an arthritis treatment that really works, there are things people can do to ease their symptoms as they age. In honor of National Arthritis Awareness Month this May, our healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some helpful facts about arthritis and how it can be effectively managed.

  • The CDC estimates that over 58 million adults in the US are living with arthritis, a figure they expect to increase as life expectancy rises and the population gets older.
  • Arthritis affects people of all ages, but it is most commonly associated with older individuals, and the symptoms typically worsen as the years go on.
  • There are over 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common among them by far and rheumatoid being the most impairing.
  • Arthritis remains a leading cause of work disability among US adults.
  • There is a link between arthritis and other common chronic health conditions including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal issues which is why it is critical to talk with your provider about the best plan for your situation.
  • Additionally, there is a connection between arthritis and certain skin conditions like psoriasis.
  • Healthy lifestyle habits including regular exercise, weight management, and stress reduction techniques can help manage arthritis symptoms.
  • Stretching, performing yoga, tai chi and other flexibility exercises can also provide additional relief.
  • Potential arthritis treatment methods include the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, massage, hydrotherapy, and even surgery in some more severe cases.

Arthritis can be truly debilitating if left untreated. That’s why the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine work with our patients in order to discover the cause of their issues and develop a treatment plan that works for them. For more details on arthritis you can get more specific information from arthritis.org. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

Statistics to Know For American Heart Month

heart-iconHeart health should be of the utmost importance to any person concerned about their long-term health and wellbeing. The heart is among the most vital organs in the human body and a healthy heart is essential for healthy living. In honor of the upcoming American Heart Month this February, our healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to present some helpful and informative statistics about heart disease and its prevalence. After all, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US year after year. All figures below were collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

  • Approximately every 36 seconds, one person in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease.
  • Roughly 659,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, meaning that it is responsible for about 1 in every 4 deaths annually.
  • Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, resulting in just under half of all heart disease deaths each year.
  • About 18.2 Americans above the age of 20 (nearly 7%) have coronary artery disease.
  • The overwhelming majority (about 80%) of coronary artery disease deaths happen in adults 65 and up.
  • Every year, roughly 805,000 people in the US (or one person every 40 seconds) have a heart attack.
  • About 1 in every 5 heart attacks is silent, meaning the person is not even aware that they have experienced it.
  • Heart disease costs the US about $363 billion annually, including the cost of healthcare services, medicines, and lost productivity due to illness and death.

With these statistics in mind, it’s helpful to remember that there are meaningful steps that can be taken to reduce a person’s risk of heart disease. We recommend maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet and getting regular daily exercise, or another form of physical activity, to help keep a healthy body weight. It’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about your cholesterol levels if they are elevated. Smoking and drinking alcohol in excess can also negatively impact heart health.

Meeting with your healthcare provider for an annual wellness check-up can provide a perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of your heart health and learn what you can be doing better to promote long-term health and wellness. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Ask the Doctors: Diagnostic Testing at Abraham Family Medicine

diagnostic testingDiagnostic testing is an incredibly powerful tool in the world of medicine. Before any treatment can begin, an accurate diagnosis must be confirmed. Here at Abraham Family Medicine, we perform several types of diagnostic testing in the comfort of our office to assist in caring for our patients. To further elaborate on the benefits this can provide our patients and their loved ones, our board-certified healthcare providers have taken time to answer a few questions about some of the types of diagnostic testing we offer.

Question #1: How Does In-Office Diagnostic Testing Benefit Patients?

Offering in-office diagnostic testing is often a major convenience for our patients. Doing so can save time (and additional costs) by eliminating the need for additional trips to a hospital or separate imaging center for something like an MRI or a CT scan. Additionally, this can help avoid potential complications associated with the patient’s health insurance.

Question #2: What Is The Difference Between An Echocardiogram & An Electrocardiogram (EKG)?

We use both echocardiograms and EKGs to detect and diagnose various forms of heart disease. However, the tests differ in what they specifically measure and capture. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound technology to depict pictures of the heart and provide information on the activity and function of the heart. An EKG traces the rhythm of a patient’s heartbeats to potentially detect underlying heart conditions like arrhythmias, heart defects, and coronary artery disease. Both tests can often be used in tandem to provide a more comprehensive picture of the patient’s heart health.

Question #3: Is It Safe To Undergo An X-Ray

While it’s true that x-ray technology exposes the patient to radiation, it is perfectly safe to undergo an x-ray to detect a potentially fractured bone. X-rays only use a low level of radiation and the risk of any cell damage is extremely low. Additionally, we fit our patients with protective materials including x-ray safe aprons to limit exposure to other areas of the body not being scanned.

Our providers have the experience and knowledge to optimize all diagnostic testing to the benefit of our patients. For more information on diagnostic testing or other health and wellness topics, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

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