Treating Heart Disease in Williamsport, PA

The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body. Its role is to pump blood to the lungs to gather oxygen, then pump that blood throughout your many blood vessels. It is made up of four chambers and four valves. The heart's beating is caused by an electrical impulse, which prompts the pumping of blood through your extremities.

The leading cause of death in America is heart disease. In 2010, over six percent of adults had heart disease. There are many diseases that fall under the category of heart disease, and most can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. Check out our heart disease prevention tips for proactive heart health advice. The Williamsport, PA cardiologists at UPMC Susquehanna detect and treat common diseases, such as:

• Heart valve disease
• Heart attack
• Coronary heart defects/congenital heart disease

Heart Disease Symptoms

The symptoms of heart disease vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Some forms of heart disease have no symptoms until complications begin. Through regular medical checkups, cardiologists at Susquehanna Health can detect heart problems, before they become severe.

While some heart disease symptoms may be subtle, the most common symptom is chest pain. Other symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Backache
• Fatigue
• Indigestion
• Feeling lightheaded
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Foot or ankle swelling

Men with heart disease may experience erectile dysfunction.

Susquehanna Health provides excellence in medical care to diagnose symptoms and treat complications from heart disease in Williamsport, and the surrounding areas.

Heart Disease Causes

Heart disease is caused by a variety of factors, but mainly by a buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries. Risk factors for this buildup include:

• A diet high in fat and cholesterol
• High blood pressure or diabetes
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Being overweight

A cardiology provider at UPMC Susquehanna may be able to diagnose the cause of heart disease through diagnostic tests, including blood tests, chest X-ray, EKG, echocardiogram, stress testing or cardiac catheterization.

Heart Disease Treatment at UPMC Susquehanna

Skilled heart doctors at UPMC Susquehanna offer a wide range of treatments for heart disease, including medications, counseling on lifestyle changes and surgery. The goals of treatment are to correct any physical problems such as narrowed arteries or damaged heart valves, relieve symptoms of heart disease and prevent future complications by reducing risk factors.

UPMC Susquehanna offers comprehensive care to diagnose and treat heart disease in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding areas.