Heart Month: Trust Your Heart to Lee Health

Across America, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women and people of most racial and ethnic groups. Heart disease is a bucket term that refers to several types of heart conditions, but in the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease. 

With coronary artery disease, plaque (deposits of cholesterol) builds up in the walls of the arteries, which can narrow over time and partially or totally block blood flow.

Chest pain or discomfort are common symptoms of coronary artery disease, but too often, the first indication that a person has the condition is a heart attack. 

There are, however, several risk factors that can lead to coronary artery disease. Our team of cardiovascular experts at Lee Health wants to help you understand your unique and specific risk factors so you can be proactive in taking care of your heart health. 

Whether you need to control your blood pressure or cholesterol, lose weight, exercise, manage other chronic conditions, or you need more complex care, Lee Health is home to the largest and most experienced team of cardiologists and heart surgeons in Southwest Florida. 

February is American Heart Month — an annual reminder to focus on your heart health. If you haven’t already, schedule your annual physical with your primary care physician or advanced provider so you can check in on your heart health with blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, as well as your weight and other important health metrics.

If you have not established a relationship with a primary care provider, you should because they will help you stay as healthy as possible with appropriate screenings, vaccinations and referrals to specialists, like our heart team, should you need them.

Trust your heart to Lee Health!

For more information about our heart program, as well as helpful educational content, visit us here!

Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO, Lee Health