Heart health is a major concern for aging Americans. It is the leading cause of 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. As per the CDC reports, approximately 18.2 million adults age 20 and older have coronary artery disease, the most commonly prevalent heart disease in the U.S. An unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, and many other factors, including certain medical conditions, contribute to the increasing cases of heart diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to take timely action to avoid/minimize your heart risk. However, first, you need to know your heart risk factors. Thus, it is best to regularly get cardiac testing and adopt a more heart-healthy lifestyle by consulting with the top cardiology specialists at the leading cardiac testing and treatment facility at MKR Medical PC.

The following are the top heart risk factors you need to look out for:

1) High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic illness that usually affects many people with age. It can strain your heart to work harder, causing damage to the heart arteries, putting your heart at a greater risk of stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. However, you can consult with a primary care physician to make a comprehensive health plan for diet, exercise, weight management, and medication to control your blood pressure levels.

2) Unhealthy cholesterol levels

Eating lots of processed foods containing trans fat can lead to uncontrolled cholesterol. If the cholesterol level is high, it can be significantly unhealthy for your heart. As per the CDC, approx. 28 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol levels that can be attributed to unhealthy eating habits and an unbalanced diet. Thus, making changes in your diet, exercising, and regularly consulting with your physician are crucial for those with unhealthy cholesterol levels.

3) Uncontrolled weight

Weight management is crucial to reduce the health risk to your heart health. As per the CDC, the risk of heart disease is greater in people who are overweight or obese. In addition, obesity can also contribute to other health issues such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other problems.

4) Smoking

Smoking is a bad habit that harms not only your lungs but also endangers your heart health. As per the CDC research, smoking can cause tightening in major heart arteries, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, cause blood clotting, increased the risk of an acute coronary syndrome, and cause irreversible damage to arteries. Therefore, it is best to quit the smoking habit considering your long-term heart health.

5) Physical inactivity

In today’s world, everyone leads a stressful work life, and many people spend their free time resting or watching Netflix. Exercising helps maintain proper blood flow to the vital organs in your body. However, neglecting exercise and continuous physical inactivity can impact cardiac health and makes you vulnerable to circulatory diseases. In addition, being inactive and working under stress also allows fatty material buildup in arteries which can lead to artery blockages, ultimately increasing the risk of stroke.

6) Hereditary risk

Some individuals are also at greater risk of heart disease if they have any family history of members with heart diseases. While some hereditary factors, such as congenital defects, cannot be completely avoided, establishing healthy heart habits at a young age can help promote wellness and a better functioning heart.

If you want to keep your heart strong and healthy for a long time, there’s no better way than to change your lifestyle to integrate healthy habits and activities as early as possible. Thus, if you lead an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle, you should consider consulting with a primary care physician at the MKR Medical PC to know your heart risk factors and get customized recommendations to minimize the risk of heart diseases.

MKR Medical PC is fully equipped with advanced equipment for performing a range of diagnostic tests such as:

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Echocardiogram
  • Exercise Stress Tests
  • Pharmacological Stress Tests
  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
  • Holter and Event Monitors
  • Cardiac ultrasound

Getting an annual checkup is a smart health decision as you get older. An annual physical exam helps detect any early signs of illnesses or helps better manage any existing chronic conditions. It is the best method to stay on top of your health. Although an annual physical exam may not be mandatory, the doctors usually recommend it based on a person’s age, gender, and medical history. The primary care doctors at MKR Medical PC specialize in helping individuals who are concerned about their overall health and well-being make positive changes in their life. Our primary care physicians are well-trained in preventive care, diagnoses, and treatment of a wide variety of illnesses.

As the healthcare needs of each individual are different, the annual checkup procedure may be needed for detecting various health conditions such as the following:

1) Blood pressure

Having high blood pressure (hypertension) puts patients at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, which are considered the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, as per the statistics, high blood pressure is one of the most prevalent health conditions which affects 1 in every 3 U.S. adults. Therefore, a BP test is crucial for people over 50. An annual physical exam usually covers a range of common tests, including the blood pressure test. If your hypertension levels are high, the doctor may also recommend a diabetes test.

2) Obesity

In America, obesity is another one of the leading causes of heart and health problems. In fact, as per a national health report in 2020, the U.S. adult obesity rate has passed the 40% mark and stands at 42.4%, with every state having a minimum of 20-25 percent of adults with obesity. Therefore, if you are overweight, the annual checkup may help identify any risk factors and take timely action to prevent them. Our primary care physicians at MKR Medical PC specialize in creating a personal weight management plan that considers all aspects of patients’ health to ensure holistic care.

3) Screening for early signs of cancer

Whether you are a male or a female, most people over the age of 50 are usually vulnerable to various types of cancers. For example, in males, the risk of prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. On the other hand, the risk of breast cancer increases significantly for women after the age of 50. If the patient has any family history of breast cancer, the risk is higher. Therefore, an annual checkup of the rectal, colon, pelvic, or breast exam is highly recommended by healthcare professionals.

4) Blood testing for Potential Health Conditions

As heart diseases are the top cause of death in the U.S., the American Diabetes Association recommends an annual checkup for patients over 45, especially if the patient has a family history of chronic diseases. Regular blood testing during the annual checkup is highly beneficial in determining the effect of poor diet, lifestyle habits such as smoking, and other underlying causes of concern. Moreover, the annual checkup helps keep track of the patient’s cholesterol levels, diabetes, and other heart disease risk factors enabling patients to manage their health better.

5) Age-related conditions

Both men and women also undergo various changes as they get older. These changes may occur due to normal aging, such as reduced levels of testosterone, menopause, or decreased bone density, and other risk factors. An annual checkup may help patients keep better track of their health and help reduce the risk of age-related diseases they might be vulnerable to.

6) Identifying behavioral conditions

Sometimes, some people silently suffer from stress, overworking, depression, anxiety, and other conditions that may adversely affect their health. In that case, an annual checkup that includes behavioral screening, including stress testing, neurological testing, or psychology counseling session, may be highly beneficial in keeping patients mentally and physically healthy.

At MKR Medical PC, we have an excellent team of Primary Care physicians who work in collaboration with top Cardiologists and Internal Medicine experts in Brooklyn, NY. We aim to have a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s overall health and medical history to assist patients as they age and go through different phases of life. We create a unique healthcare plan personalized to each patient to ensure they get the best care possible.

So, if you are over the age of 45-50 and have not had an annual checkup yet, it might be time to get your yearly health examination done to prevent potential health risks. Schedule a consultation with our healthcare experts today.

Most adults by the age of 25 have either lived on their own, worked at certain jobs, or at least done enough for themselves to understand how they feel throughout a given day. Whether you’re going to work, working out, cooking, cleaning, or running errands, most of us know how much we can do in a given day before we get tired, or feel hungry, or just need a break. But sometimes, our bodies can betray us. We can get sick or fall ill because of an unseen virus, or an unexpected injury due to an accident, fatigue, genetics, or general aging. That’s why having a Primary Care Doctor that understands your medical history, your body, and your circumstances is so vital to your health now and in the future.

Luckily, for people living in Long Island, NY? Rybstein Medical is the top Primary Care Doctor in all of West Babylon, Long Island, and of the top Primary Care Doctors in all of New York. Our patients receive the best Primary Care modern medicine has to offer! Though, what if you’re not close enough to us to choose Rybstein Medical as your Primary Care Doctor? Thankfully, we have some helpful advice to help you find the Primary Care Doctor that’s right for you!

Things To Keep In Mind

  • Read Reviews.
  • How Long Have They Been Practicing?
  • Do You Have Any Special Medical Or Accommodation Needs?
  • Will They Accept Your Health Insurance & What Is Covered?

Your Primary Care Doctor Will Know Your History

Remember, no one will understand your medical history, or your medical needs and concerns better than your Primary Care Doctor. They will always have the best course of action for you to take as you tackle any possible health issue throughout your life. Essentially, your Primary Care Doctor will “have your back” when you need them most. It’s also great to have someone in your corner who can anticipate possible needs or medical concerns you may need to be mindful of in the future. If you have a family history of: high blood-pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, your Primary Care Doctor can provide you with regular check-ups to make sure you are free of these or any ailments. Finding a Primary Care Doctor you can keep throughout your life is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your overall short-term and long-term health!

Looking For A Quality Primary Care Doctor In West Babylon, Long Island?

Rybstein Medical is not only comprised of West Babylon’s top Cardiologists. We also happen to have the best Primary Care Physicians West Babylon, and all of Long Island has to offer! Our Primary Care Physicians are specially trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of illnesses or diseases affecting adults. If you are in need of a Primary Care Doctor in West Babylon, Long Island NY? Call us today at (631) 991-8787