Category: Family Medicine

What Is Cardiovascular Artery Disease?

Cardiovascular Artery Disease (CAD), also known as Coronary Artery Disease, is a serious condition that affects the blood flow to the heart. It is caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. If left untreated, CAD can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and even death.

Risk Factors 

Risk factors for CAD include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and a family history of heart disease. Managing these risk factors through lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking, can help reduce the risk of developing CAD.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of CAD can include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, and lightheadedness. If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Diagnosis of CAD is typically made through a combination of tests, including a physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests such as a coronary angiogram or a CT scan.

Treatment

Treatment for CAD can vary depending on the severity of the condition and may include lifestyle changes, medications, and in severe cases, surgery. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking, can help improve heart health and reduce the risk of CAD. Medications, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and blood pressure medications, can also help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Trust PVH Institute With Your Heart 

Cardiovascular Disease is the number one cause of death in the United States over 50 years old. If you have concerns about your risk for CAD It’s important to see a doctor right away. At PVH Institute, our primary care doctors in Philadelphia will take their time to get to know you. They will work to understand your history and risk factors and build a lifestyle plan that works best for you to mitigate the risks of cardiovascular disease and help you to live a long and happy life.

Tips On Finding A PCP For Your Children

As a parent, you always want to ensure that your child is both safe and healthy. A pediatrician’s job is to provide care, whether physical, mental, or behavioral, for your child. When you’re looking for a new primary care physician in Conshohocken PA, there are some tips to follow to help you pick the right one for your child.

#1 Make a List of What Matters Most To You

Think about if you want a doctor that only treats children or the whole family. Do you want a doctor that is close to where you live or where you work? Do you have to pick from a list of providers from your insurance or referrals from friends or family? Are you looking for someone who offers evening or weekend hours so that getting appointments is easier? Do you need a specialist? Does it matter what gender the PCP is? Do you want the doctor to speak a specific language?

#2 Get Referrals

For new parents, their OB-GYN or family physician may be able to recommend pediatricians. However, if someone is new to an area and looking for a primary care doctor in Philadelphia, you may want to ask neighbors, and colleagues, or even take to social media for some recommendations.

#3 Look at Credentials

Once you have your referrals and your list of what matters most, it’s time to dive deeper. Board certification is important when you’re choosing a PCP for your child. It helps you know that the doctor is qualified, trained, and of course knowledgeable in all things about pediatric care. You can confirm a doctor’s certification status on the American Board of Pediatrics website.

#4 Check Insurance Coverage

After choosing your top PCP options, you’ll want to check with your insurance provider if these doctors are in-network. Some parents, would rather choose an out-of-network doctor and pay for services out of pocket if they like a doctor. This is a personal choice that is relative to each family and their finances.

Schedule a Get to Know You Session With Potential PCPs For Your Child

Perhaps the best way to get to know a particular PCP for your child is by scheduling an appointment with them. They will be more than happy to answer questions or concerns with you. This will help you to make such an important and informed decision for you and your child. A good PCP will be committed to delivering high-quality pediatric care. They also will always want to provide as much information as possible about a child’s health to parents. Their goal is to ensure that every patient has optimal health both now and in the future as they grow.

Contact our office to make an appointment with our physician today!