Preventative cardiology is a growing area of medicine focused on reducing heart disease risk. It can help you avoid serious complications like heart attack or stroke. Plus, it can promote better overall heart health — and a better quality of life.

The University of Miami Health System’s expert team offers comprehensive preventive cardiac care. We go beyond routine measures to help you manage your risks and keep your heart health on track.

Should I see a preventative cardiologist?

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease — or if you’re concerned about managing cardiovascular risk factors — preventative cardiology may be right for you.

Some patients in our program have already experienced major events like a heart attack or stroke. The goal is to avoid future complications and stay healthier.

Other patients are trying to avoid serious heart problems altogether. You may have a family history of heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors such as:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco smoking
• Diabetes
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Lack of regular exercise

Targeting these risk factors can reduce the chance of heart problems later on.

What do preventative cardiologists do?

Preventative cardiologists help you create a road map to better heart health. The goal is to keep your entire cardiovascular system working well. This includes your heart and blood vessels that supply blood to your organs.

Key steps in our preventative program include:

A cardiovascular health assessment

This assessment examines a patient’s complete cardiovascular health. For example, our team reviews your family history, diet, and lifestyle.

We also go a step further to consider your “epigenetics.” This looks at how your behavior and environment affect how your genes work. For example, do you have a family history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol? If so, how can you reduce your risk with certain lifestyle changes?

Physical exam to determine heart disease warning signs

We conduct a comprehensive physical examination. During this exam, we assess your overall heart health. We also check for early signs of heart disease like:

• High blood pressure: Also called hypertension, this happens when the force of blood on the vessel walls is too high. This puts extra strain on the blood vessels, heart, and other organs.
• Coronary artery disease: Also called atherosclerosis, this occurs when plaque builds up on the artery walls. It can reduce blood flow to vital organs.

If left untreated, both conditions can increase the risk of problems like heart attack and stroke.

Recommendations for preventive care tailored to your needs

We create a customized preventive care plan for each patient. This plan may include steps such as:

• Medication management
• Various interventions
• Lifestyle adjustments

Even small daily habits and changes can impact your heart health over time.

Diagnostic and preventive care for heart disease

Often, people with heart disease may not have noticeable symptoms. Because of this, you may not realize you are at risk.

For example, one out of two U.S. adults has high blood pressure. This is the number one risk for heart disease and stroke. Even if you don’t have high blood pressure now, you could be at risk. If you have a family history of hypertension, chances are you will become hypertensive in the future.

We provide many advanced cardiac tests that can help you better understand your cardiac health – including your blood pressure. Our preventive heart disease tests include:

Calcium score testing

This CT (computed tomography) scan looks for calcium in the arteries. This can help tell if people have a build-up of artery plaque. The CT test is quick and painless.

Evaluations of lipid profiles and lipid genetic markers

Lipids are fat molecules in the blood that increase cardiovascular risk. This includes cholesterol and triglycerides. Genetic markers show how inherited genes may impact heart disease.

Assessment of factors like obesity and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease. These conditions include:

• A large waistline
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar levels
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol

People with three or more of these conditions may have metabolic syndrome.

Advanced blood pressure monitoring and evaluation

We use a four-pillar approach to evaluate patients’ blood pressure. This approach covers:

1. Genetic factors such as family history
2. Biochemical factors like salt sensitivity
3. Physical aspects, such as the condition of vessel walls
4. Environmental aspects such as tobacco use

We also offer innovations like 24-hour patch-based blood pressure monitoring. This makes monitoring more accurate — and more convenient for you.

Our Preventative Cardiology locations

If you want to improve or safeguard your heart health, preventative cardiology can help. Please contact one of our locations below for an appointment.

• The Lennar Foundation Medical Center in Coral Gables: 305-585-5523
• The Sayfie Pavilion on the UHealth medical campus in Miami: 305-243-7900
• UHealth Tower West in Miami: 305-243-5554
• UHealth at Doral: Preventative Cardiology services coming in September 2024

Why Choose UHealth for Preventative Cardiology?

Skilled preventative cardiology team. Many factors affect your cardiovascular risk. We have a team of experts who work together to help keep your heart healthy. Our preventative services include a Lipid Clinic and a Comprehensive Hypertension Clinic. Experts on our team specialize in areas such as preventive cardiology, diabetes, genetics, vascular surgery, and endovascular surgery.

Providers committed to the highest standards of care. We’re proud to participate in programs that help patients achieve their cardiovascular goals. These include the Million Hearts initiative to prevent heart attacks and strokes and the Target BP program to improve blood pressure control.

Recognized blood pressure care. Our Comprehensive Hypertension Center recently earned Target: BP Gold Plus recognition from the American Heart Association and American Medical Association. Achieving Gold Plus recognition means that our providers and staff meet or exceed the highest standards for treating hypertension. This includes getting at least 70% of adult patients’ blood pressure under control. We provide personalized care and use evidence-based practices to diagnose and treat high blood pressure.

Comprehensive and innovative blood pressure treatment. Our Comprehensive Hypertension Center (UMCHC) is the only American Heart Association Certified comprehensive center in South Florida and the first in the state to receive this designation. We’re the first in the state to launch an FDA-approved blood pressure procedure program known as renal denervation. This offers treatment for people who have not been able to get their blood pressure controlled with lifestyle changes and medication.

Heart programs for young adults, women, and people at higher risk. Heart disease can happen at any age and stage of life. To help catch problems before they worsen, we offer specialized programs for young adults and women. Our comprehensive services also support people with risk factors such as a family history of cardiac conditions.