At Meritus Hagerstown Heart our expert team of board-certified cardiologists bring decades of experience to patient care and have long-standing, close-knit relationships within our community. Our expert-level providers have been at the forefront of leading-edge diagnostic and treatment capabilities across the region.
When you are concerned about your heart health, you need care that is compassionate, experienced, capable and uncompromising. The earlier you address a cardiovascular problem, the better your chances for a long, fulfilling life. At Meritus Hagerstown Heart, we diagnose and treat common problems that affect the heart and blood vessels. Conditions we treat include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart valve issues, heart arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What common heart conditions are treated at Meritus?
- Aortic aneurysm
- Aortic stenosis
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cardiac disease in pregnancy
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetic heart disease
- Geriatric cardiology
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Peripheral artery disease
- Vascular disease
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
- Women's Heart Health
What is heart disease?
Heart disease refers to conditions that can affect how your heart works. Arteries supply blood to the heart muscle and brain. When there is a buildup of plaque containing cholesterol inside the artery walls, the arteries begin to narrow or become blocked resulting in a decrease in blood flow. This accumulation of plaque in the arteries can cause:
- Heart attack: This condition occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. The lack of blood flow or oxygen may cause part of the heart muscle to die.
- Heart failure: Sometimes called congestive heart failure, means the heart is working, but it is not pumping enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
What are symptoms of heart disease?
Your physician may detect signs of heart disease before your symptoms occur; however, pay close attention to these warning signs:
Heart attack symptoms:
- Chest pain or uncomfortable pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat or back
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sweating
Heart failure symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Chronic coughing or wheezing
- Swelling of the abdomen, legs, ankles, and feet
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- High heart rate
Your chance of developing heart disease increases if you have some of the risk factors below:
- Advancing age
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Unhealthy diet
- Tobacco use
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol abuse
- Stress
- Poor dental hygiene
How can I prevent heart disease?
Your health is an ongoing commitment between you and your doctor. Get regular medical checkups and have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly. Follow these guidelines or those that you develop with your physician to manage your heart disease:
- Control your blood pressure. Aim for less than 120/80 mm Hg.
- Lower your cholesterol. Total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL.
- If you are diabetic, monitor your blood glucose level daily and aim for a hemoglobin A1c of 7 percent or less.
- If you are overweight, work with your physician to achieve gradual weight loss through diet and exercise.
- Don't smoke. If you smoke, sign up for a smoking cessation class.
- Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
- Manage stress by incorporating deep breathing exercises, physical activity or meditation into your day.
- Practice good dental hygiene by brushing your teeth daily and flossing regularly. See a dentist annually.