Heart Disease: Know Your Risks
Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
By StoryStudio on January 27, 2025
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. In fact, more than 931,000 people died of cardiovascular disease in 2021. In other words, a person dies of heart disease every 34 seconds in the United States. This month, Dr. Jawad Chohan, an interventional cardiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann, shares some important information about symptoms and risks of heart disease and how you can stay healthy.
Q: What is heart disease?
Dr. Chohan: When we talk about heart disease, we are referring to several different heart conditions. The most common condition is coronary artery disease, which involves blockages due to plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart leading to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. Blockages may be small or large. Small blockages may be treated with medications, whereas
Women ages 55 to 65 and men ages 45 to 65 should have cholesterol screenings every one to two years. People over 65 should get their cholesterol tested once a year. If you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, you should begin yearly screenings at age 45."
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— Jawad Chohan, MD
Memorial Hermann offers comprehensive care when it comes to heart disease.
At Memorial Hermann, innovation and quality intersect and are guided by pioneering physicians committed to enhancing patients’ lives."
— Jawad Chohan, MD
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Jawad Chohan, MD, is an interventional cardiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann.
large blockages may be detrimental and cause heart attacks. Heart disease can also refer to congestive heart failure; this is when the pumping function of the heart becomes weak, compromising blood flow to the body. Both coronary artery disease and heart failure tend to be progressive diseases that worsen over time. Some patients only discover they have a problem when they are admitted to the hospital with a heart attack or an acute worsening of heart failure. It is critical to practice preventative medicine and identify these conditions early so we can intervene and start appropriate treatment to prevent complications and hospital admissions.
Although breast cancer gets much of the media attention for women’s health, cardiovascular disease kills more women in the United States than all forms of cancer combined according to the AHA. Nearly 45% of women live with some form of heart disease, and yet, most women do not consider heart disease as a serious health threat. Pregnant women with high blood pressure and Black women are at high risk of developing heart disease.
Q: What are some of the risk factors for heart disease and how do you manage them?
Dr. Chohan: There are many risk factors when it comes to heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol (LDL), diabetes, obesity and smoking are the top risk factors. Additionally, diet plays an important role in overall health as well as heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 45% of Americans have at least one risk factor. If you experience unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue or swelling in the legs on a regular basis, it is important to visit a cardiologist and be evaluated for underlying heart issues.
Q: What can people do to possibly prevent heart disease?
Dr. Chohan: The most important thing to prevent heart disease is to control risk factors. This means focusing on taking medications regularly but also looking at the whole picture of health. Regular exercise plays a significant role in reducing things like blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol but also helps with weight loss and overall fitness. Ideally, we should be aiming for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity exercise for a minimum of three times a week. Not everyone needs to be a marathon runner to be healthy. Even moderate activity can have a big impact.
I also suggest eating a Mediterranean diet filled with fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, poultry, fish, etc. Also, select fat-free or low-fat dairy products and limit processed food with added sugars. Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help you maintain a healthy weight. Start slow and stay focused. You don’t have to do this all at once but the more healthy routines we develop, the easier it is to continue them for the long term.
If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, it’s important to pay attention and closely manage these conditions. Women ages 55 to 65 and men ages 45 to 65 should have cholesterol screenings every one to two years. People over 65 should get their cholesterol tested once a year. If you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, you should begin yearly screenings at age 45.
Q: How do you treat heart disease?
Dr. Chohan: Medical advances over the years have dramatically improved how we treat the spectrum of heart disease. Advances in medications as well as minimally invasive procedures have allowed us to treat patients we might not have been able to in the past. We are seeing patients live long and active lives after a heart attack or other cardiac events when managed appropriately.
Q: How does Memorial Hermann care for patients with heart disease?
Dr. Chohan: Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular has been one of Houston’s leaders in cardiovascular care and surgery for decades. What began as a small contingent of affiliated cardiologists and heart surgeons now encompasses an internationally recognized program dedicated to advancing comprehensive cardiovascular care. At Memorial Hermann, innovation and quality intersect and are guided by pioneering physicians committed to enhancing patients’ lives. Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular is involved in educating the next generation of physicians, leveraging new technology and conducting visionary research to find new and better ways of treating heart and vascular anomalies, conditions and diseases. All this work is done to provide the best possible care and outcomes for our patients.
Overall, it is important to remember how common heart disease still is and the importance of early identification and treatment. To learn more or request a physician referral, visit memorialhermann.org/heartmonth-pc.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. In fact, more than 931,000 people died of cardiovascular disease in 2021. In other words, a person dies of heart disease every 34 seconds in the United States. This month, Dr. Jawad Chohan, shares some important information about symptoms and risks of heart disease and how you can stay healthy.
Q: What is heart disease?
Dr. Chohan: When we talk about heart disease, we are referring to several different heart conditions. The most common condition is coronary artery disease, which involves blockages due to plaque buildup in the arteries of the heart leading to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. Blockages may be small or large. Small blockages may be treated with medications, whereas large blockages may be detrimental and cause heart
