American Heart Month
Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death for Americans. From the foods we eat to the activities we participate in, heart disease lingers as a risk for so many people. At ImageCare Centers, we provide cardiovascular imaging services for patients whose doctors recommend it.
What Causes Heart Disease?
Heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis which is a buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries. These arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart, and with a plaque buildup, the heart cannot receive enough of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to thrive. Several factors can cause atherosclerosis, or heart disease, including:
- Smoking cigarettes
Cigarette smoke raises your triglyceride levels, lowers your good cholesterol, can make your blood clot, builds plaque in the coronary arteries, and causes inflammation or narrowing of the blood vessels. All of these side effects potentiate the risk for heart disease.
- High blood pressure
High blood pressure forces your heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body, which causes the left ventricle in your heart to thicken. High blood pressure can be caused by an excess intake of sodium, certain medications, pregnancy, excess alcohol intake, and many other diet and lifestyle choices.
- Sedentary lifestyle
Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle with little to no physical activity can lead to obesity, stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, among other complications.
Cardiovascular Imaging Services from ImageCare Centers
At ImageCare Centers, we provide radiology services to take care of their cardiovascular health and more. When you visit us, you can receive several cardiovascular imaging services, including:
- Cardiac CTA
- Cardiac MRI
- CT Scan
- Coronary Calcium Artery Scoring
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Vascular Ultrasound
Trust the caring and experienced team at ImageCare Centers for professional cardiovascular imaging services. Visit us online to schedule your appointment.