Why Choose Baptist Health for Preventive Cardiology Care
When it comes to preventing heart disease, Baptist Health stands at the forefront of innovation, expertise, and compassionate care. Our Preventive Cardiology Program is one of the most advanced in the region, bringing together nationally recognized cardiologists, lipid specialists, and a comprehensive team of experts who are dedicated to helping you lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. With access to cutting-edge diagnostics, disease-specific programs, and personalized care plans, we don’t just monitor your health — we help you take proactive steps to protect it. Whether you're managing genetic risk factors or recovering from a cardiac event, Baptist Health is the trusted partner you need to stay ahead of heart disease and live a longer, healthier life.
Our Approach
Our program makes the prevention of cardiovascular disease as convenient as possible by providing access to leading-edge diagnostic technologies and disease-specific prevention programs under one roof.
If you have one or more of the following, you should see a preventive cardiologist:
- Family history of heart disease, stroke, or sudden death
- Presence of abnormal calcium on mammogram, CT scan, or X-ray
- History of breast cancer
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Rheumatologic conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis)
- Diabetes or pre-diabetes
- History of preeclampsia, eclampsia, or pregnancy-related diabetes
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
By the Numbers: Preventive Cardiology
Nearly 1 in 3 deaths in the U.S. are caused by cardiovascular disease, yet up to 80% are preventable through lifestyle and risk factor modification.
Patients who follow a preventive cardiology program can reduce their risk of heart attack by over 50% within 5 years.
Early preventive screenings can identify cardiovascular disease 10 to 15 years before symptoms occur, making timely intervention possible.
Adults who engage in regular physical activity reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 30%.
Popular Conditions and Treatments
Our Preventive Cardiology Program
Heart disease is still the number one killer of males and females in the United States. But, for many people, the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. That’s why it’s important to take steps to reduce your risk and prevent disease as early as possible.
Our heart health experts use the most advanced diagnostic tools to assess such risks and will work closely with you and your other physicians to create a prevention plan that meets your unique needs. We offer a wide range of free or low-cost cardiovascular disease health screenings and prevention services to strengthen your heart.
As your healthcare partner, we’ll be with you every step of the journey toward your well-being. Our goal is early detection and intervention so you can graduate from our program with improved cardiovascular health.
What to Expect
Our Preventive Cardiology Program is for anyone with an increased risk of heart disease. Your primary care provider or your cardiologist can refer you, and we will work closely with them throughout your time in our program.
During your first visit, we collect details about your personal and family history of cardiovascular disease. Our experts also complete a comprehensive assessment of your cardiovascular risk. You may need additional tests, blood work or genetic screenings. This information helps our team decide which cardiovascular prevention plan is best for you.
Starting a prevention program can be confusing, but don’t worry — one of our nurse navigators will help schedule your appointments and lab work, answer questions about your medications and help you secure prior authorization from your insurance company for any tests.
Diagnostics
Our experts use the most advanced imaging tools to detect and evaluate your cardiovascular condition. Our team also uses convenient telehealth appointments and remote patient monitoring to keep tabs on your condition when you’re home.
Disease-Specific Programs
Cardiovascular disease can affect you in a variety of ways, so we have designed multiple programs that can directly address your complex needs. Our experts will decide which program is best for you based on the results of your physical exam and any tests. We offer programs dedicated to:
I am feeling absolutely fine. I have no pain. I can walk. I feel very healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
For most people, a healthy blood pressure is below 120/80.
The systolic number (top number) should be less than 120, and the diastolic number (bottom number) should be less than 80.
Your physician may recommend different targets based on your health history. If you have high blood pressure, home monitoring can help track how well your treatment is working.
-
Limiting sodium can help lower blood pressure and reduce fluid retention, especially for conditions such as heart failure.
While reducing table salt helps, most sodium comes from packaged and restaurant foods. Common sources include:
- Bread
- Chips and crackers
- Condiments
- Gravies
- Deli meat
- Prepared meat, poultry and seafood dishes
- Pizza
- Soups
Focusing on your overall diet—not just added salt—can make a meaningful difference.
-
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your heart and blood vessels.
Smoking can:
- Narrow and damage blood vessels
- Increase plaque buildup in the arteries
- Lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol
- Increase the risk of blood clots
- Raise triglyceride levels
Preventive cardiology specialists at Baptist Health can provide guidance and support.
-
Chronic stress can affect heart health both directly and indirectly.
It may raise blood pressure and contribute to cholesterol problems. Stress can also influence behaviors such as unhealthy eating, weight gain, alcohol use and smoking. In addition, it can negatively affect sleep quality.
Over time, these factors can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
-
Daily low-dose aspirin (81 mg) is not recommended for everyone.
While it was once widely used for prevention, it can increase the risk of bleeding. For some individuals, aspirin may still be appropriate, but this decision should be made with your physician.
Our Locations
The Baptist Health Cardiology Difference
Your heart health is our priority. Whether you're managing a condition or looking to prevent one, our expert cardiology team is here to guide you every step of the way. We provide compassionate, personalized care, backed by the latest research and innovative treatments—to help you live a longer, healthier life.
Pioneering The Cures Of Tomorrow
Our researchers play a vital role in helping us better understand heart and vascular disease. They participate in a wide variety of clinical trials dedicated to improving treatments that will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Learn more about their work and what it means to be involved in a clinical trial.
News & Podcasts
Have Questions? Let's Talk.
Donate Today
