-
Epic Heart &
Vascular Care
- Primary Care Mulitspeciality Practice
- Epic Heart & Vascular Care
- Primary Care Mulitspeciality Practice
Preventative medicine focuses on detecting and managing health risks before they become serious illnesses. Conditions like high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), high blood pressure (hypertension), and diabetes often develop silently but can lead to major complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or even premature death.
By scheduling regular checkups, blood tests, and early interventions—including tracking inflammatory markers—we can help identify disease risk early and improve long-term outcomes.
Hyperlipidemia is a condition where your blood has too much cholesterol or triglycerides. These fats can build up in your arteries – increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
According to the ACC/AHA guidelines, managing cholesterol early in life significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular events later.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) usually has no obvious symptoms but silently damages the heart, kidneys, brain, and blood vessels over time.
Blood pressure management is one of the most effective ways to reduce stroke and heart attack risk, as shown in the SPRINT trial2 and JNC guidelines3.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that raises blood sugar levels and increases the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) showed that losing just 5–7% of body weight can reduce the chance of developing diabetes by over 50%.
Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the development of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Lab tests can help detect hidden inflammation before symptoms appear.
When paired with traditional labs, these markers offer a more complete risk picture, helping doctors tailor your prevention plan.
Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes often occur together—a cluster known as metabolic syndrome. They share common root causes:
Each condition makes the others worse. For example:
This is why preventative care targets the whole system, not just one issue.
According to guidelines from the American College of Preventive Medicine and USPSTF, adults should get the following on a routine basis:
| Test | How Often | What It Tells You |
| Blood Pressure | Every visit or annually | Risk of heart disease, stroke |
| Lipid Panel | Every 4–6 years (more often if abnormal) | Cholesterol and triglyceride levels |
| A1C or Fasting Glucose | Every 3 years (or yearly if prediabetic) | Risk for or presence of diabetes |
| hs-CRP | Optional but valuable for added heart risk info | Level of inflammation |
| BMI and Waist Circumference | Annually | Obesity risk and metabolic syndrome |
The good news is that most risk factors can be improved with changes you control. Key steps include:
Preventative medicine is not just about avoiding disease—it’s about optimizing health before problems start. By staying on top of lab work, lifestyle habits, and being alert to early signs, you can reduce the risk of serious illness and live a longer, healthier life.
Whether you’re managing high cholesterol, watching your blood sugar, or monitoring inflammation, the best time to act is now.
Our clinic provides comprehensive cardiac care, from acute treatment to ongoing follow-up, for patients throughout the greater Hudson Valley. Schedule an appointment with our team through our convenient online scheduling form or by calling 877-EPIC-DOC (877-3742-362).
Remember: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your cardiologist or healthcare provider for personalized diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies for heart failure.
Filter through patient testimonials and experiences of RB health.
1353 Total Reviews
