Heart Disease
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is a general term that encompasses the following heart problems:
- Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat
- Atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries
- Birth defects of the heart
- Cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart
- Coronary artery disease, when arteries are narrowed or blocked. Angina is a common symptom of coronary artery disease, and results in sudden or recurring chest pain, tightness, or pressure
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Infections of the heart
- Heart valve disease
Whatever heart problem you might be facing, the heart care specialists at Bassett Healthcare Network offer expert diagnosis and treatment plans.
Heart Disease Symptoms
Symptoms of heart disease vary widely, depending on the type of heart condition and how far it’s progressed. The symptoms might be subtle and develop over time. Some of the more common heart disease symptoms we see at Bassett Healthcare Network include:
- Anxiety, or a restless feeling
- Backache
- Chest pains
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Wet cough
For women, indigestion and shortness of breath are more frequent symptoms. Men may also experience erectile dysfunction in relation to their heart disease.
Causes of Heart Disease
Heart disease can develop for many reasons. The most common cause is coronary artery disease, when fatty plaque builds up inside your arteries. Contributing factors include:
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Inadequate nutrition
- Diabetes
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
Bassett Healthcare Network offers a variety of preventive heart services to help patients live healthier lives and avoid complications of heart disease. Speak with your primary care practitioner about other changes you can make to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Getting a Heart Disease Diagnosis
The cardiology team at Bassett Healthcare Network will take your medical history, give you a physical exam, and learn your risk factors. We administer a number of diagnostic heart services, including blood tests, chest x-rays, EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, cardiac catheterization, and coronary CT angiograms.
Get a Heart Disease Diagnosis Referral
If you think you may have a cardiovascular disease, talk to your primary care practitioner about your options or request an appointment with one of our experienced heart specialists today. Heart disease treatment at Bassett Healthcare Network can include medications, lifestyle or nutrition counseling, and surgical procedures.
Bassett Healthcare Network proudly provides care for heart disease in Central New York, with locations in Cooperstown, Cobleskill, Little Falls, Oneonta, Herkimer, Delhi, and beyond.
