Protect Your Heart With A Preventive Cardiologist
Heart Disease Prevention
Heart disease is the leading cause of death, and about 60% of people will have a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in their lifetime. However, research shows that up to 90% of heart disease and stroke (what doctors call cardiovascular disease) is preventable.
If you’re concerned about your risk for future heart disease and stroke, you must know that you likely have a remarkable opportunity to lower your risk.
Here at HealthspanMD™ in Phoenix, Arizona, we specialize in helping people find ways to prevent heart disease with our personalized, comprehensive, and connected care model. We’re ready to work with you to ensure your heart remains in good health for as long as possible so you can live a long and vital life.
If you’re ready to receive individualized care from the top cardiologist Phoenix has to offer, HealthspanMD is ready to get started with you. Request your first appointment with us online today.
Heart Attack Prevention, Blood Pressure Management & More
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention & Treatment
Research shows that those who optimize 7 things – called Life’s Simple 7 by the American Heart Association – have up to 90% fewer heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
At HealthspanMD™, we add 3 additional factors to Life’s Simple 7 that are potent predictors of better health and longer life – which we call the Healthspan-10™:
- Normal blood pressure
- Normal blood sugar levels
- Healthy cholesterol levels
- Healthy body weight or body composition
- Healthy nutrition
- Regular physical activity
- Avoid toxins such as tobacco and excess alcohol
- Restorative sleep
- Manage stress
- Stay connected – socially and to your purpose
HealthspanMD’s Dr. Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE has extensive experience treating patients who want the best treatment to lower the risk for future heart disease. He established HealthspanMD™ to help patients live long, healthy, and vital lives. He brings over 25 years of experience at respected institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and the Banner Heart Institute. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications and over 100 delivered educational presentations, he continues to be an active part in advancing heart health and providing leading-edge care for his patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is knowing my family history important for heart attack prevention?
Having a family history of heart disease is considered one of the major risk factors for heart disease along with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking. The definition of a family history of premature heart disease is a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has had a heart attack, stent, bypass surgery, or stroke before the age of 55 in a male relative and 65 years old in a female relative. However, having any blood relative with heart disease increases your risk.
Determining your risk for future heart disease is often complex and challenging. If your family history of heart disease is due to a genetically high cholesterol level, then you may need just a blood test to determine if you inherited the problem. However, traditional ways of assessing risk aren’t enough for most people. They may need an imaging test like a CT calcium score or carotid/femoral artery ultrasound to understand better if they have a genetic propensity for artery disease.
It’s usually best to consult an expert in how to identify heart disease risk for guidance. HealthspanMD™ specializes in helping people determine if they have a genetic predisposition to future heart disease and, if they do, how to prevent causes of heart attack and lower their risk of stroke.
I’ve been told I have a high coronary calcium score. What does it mean for my heart health?
If you have a high CT coronary artery calcium score then you may be wondering what it means – and more importantly, what can you do about it?
The CT coronary artery calcium score is commonly performed to help doctors and their patients determine the risk for future heart attack. And knowing your risk is valuable because by knowing your risk, you and your doctor can determine how aggressive to be in your heart disease prevention strategy.
A high coronary artery calcium score indicates a higher risk for future heart attack and death from heart disease. The higher the score, the higher the risk. However, it’s important to understand that a high coronary artery calcium score does not mean that a heart attack is inevitable. What it means is that it would make sense to be more aggressive about your prevention strategy (most commonly in determining your cholesterol goals).
If you have a high coronary artery calcium score, it’s time to speak to our team. We specialize in helping patients with high coronary artery calcium scores or other high-risk indicators for heart disease get the best care to learn how to prevent heart attack, stroke, and other risks to their longevity.
HealthspanMD™ delivers a personalized, comprehensive, and connected approach that includes natural treatments like weight loss, a heart-healthy diet, and lifestyle changes as a foundational first approach. Our treatment goal is to minimize or eliminate medications as often as possible, but if medications are indicated, we ensure our patients are on the best medications with the most benefits. Reach out to us to arrange your HealthspanMD™ consultation today!
Does your healthcare center near me accept health insurance?
Yes! HealthspanMD is proud to accept insurance from most major providers, including Medicare. View our Insurance page to see our full list of accepted providers, and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly, knowledgeable staff.
How can I get started with the best cardiologist doctor near me?
At HealthspanMD™, we make it easy to take the first step toward achieving your health, weight, and longevity goals. Just press the Request an Appointment button to schedule your first consultation. You’ll meet with Dr. Hurst to create your Healthspan Action Plan and get clear on your best opportunities to achieve your goals.