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Care and Guidance You Can Count On

Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. It doesn’t have to be that way — most types are preventable. You can count on us to help you lower your risk and stay healthy. Our heart specialists offer screening, education, and expert guidance to help you feel your best.

Our heart specialists partner with you to help you take control of your health and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease — we’re your personal health advocate. Our focus goes beyond treating you when you’re sick. We’re here to keep you well.

Know Heart Disease Risk Factors

Age and family history are risk factors you can’t control. But there are many risks you can control with lifestyle changes, medicine or both, including:

  • Behaviors such as smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, not exercising, or eating a diet high in cholesterol, trans fat, and saturated fat
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity

Women have additional risks for heart disease from conditions that only affect them, including pregnancy-related high blood pressure and diabetes (gestational diabetes), endometriosis, and polycystic ovary disease.

George Prousi, MD, in surgical coat and scrubs
"There are very few professions that allow for such a profound impact to be made on a person's life. We have the privilege of gaining trust and treating individuals in need which should not be taken for granted. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing patients experience significant improvement in symptoms or even being completely healed." - George Prousi, MD

Watch Your Numbers

If your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and weight are above what’s healthy, you can make healthy lifestyle changes now stop disease before it starts. Here’s why it’s essential to know your numbers: 

  • Blood pressure. High blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms. It puts extra strain on your heart and vessels. Over time, it raises your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
  • Cholesterol. High cholesterol, which also doesn’t have symptoms, leads to a buildup of plaque — a waxy substance that forms inside arteries and narrows them. If a clot forms, it can cut off blood flow through the artery and cause a heart attack or stroke.
  • Body mass index (BMI). If you're overweight, it makes your heart work harder. This can raise your blood pressure, cause a buildup of plaque in your arteries, and lead to diabetes — all risk factors for heart disease. If your BMI is above 25, talk to your doctor about losing weight.

Get Encouragement and Support

If you want to take better care of your health, support groups can help. Learn from others, share your experiences, and celebrate health achievements with people who understand. We offer support groups for heart disease, diabetes, weight loss, and quitting smoking.

Sara Waseilevski, RN
"I form meaningful relationships and walk alongside patients through both the challenges and breakthroughs of heart disease. As a cardiac nurse, I see firsthand how bedside education and awareness can change outcomes and even save lives. Our hearts truly beat to save yours!" - Sarah Wasielevski, RN

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices 

Your lifestyle habits and choices make a big difference in your health. You can have more energy and feel — and look — better when you have healthy habits like these:

  • Avoid tobacco. Smoking (including e-cigarettes) and smokeless tobacco raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, lung disease, amputation, and more. Ask your doctor about how to quit.
  • Eat well. Eat a variety of unprocessed, healthy foods, including whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats. Avoid packaged foods and high-sodium or high-fat foods.
  • Exercise daily. It lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol, helps you manage your weight, and gives you more energy. It also improves your mood, reduces stress, and makes you feel better about yourself. Walk, hike, swim, bicycle, or lift weights — just 30 minutes a day makes a difference.
  • Get enough sleep. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. If you’re not getting a good night’s rest, our sleep experts can help.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Losing weight helps prevent many diseases — from diabetes to heart disease, stroke, and more. We can help you lose weight.
  • Make time for at least one stress-relieving activity daily. Choose something good for you and occupies your mind — such as meditation, stretching, yoga, walking, gardening, or a favorite hobby.
  • Limit screen time (computer, phone, or TV). If you’re on the computer at work, pay attention to your posture, take a stretch break every hour, and focus your eyes on something far away every half hour. Limit your time on devices at home, and avoid them during meals or an hour before bedtime.
  • If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That’s one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
  • Manage health problems. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, or another ongoing condition, follow your doctor’s recommendations and see them regularly.
Brian D McCauley, MD
"Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my job are the people. The patients we serve, the families we help, our amazing nursing/technical staff, the house staff/medical students, and my own colleagues are truly the best parts of my career. There is a palpable sense of pride among our organization at every level and it makes working here extraordinarily rewarding." - Brian McCauley, MD, MPH, RCIS
Heart Risk Assessment

Know Your Heart Disease Risk

When you know your risk for heart disease, you can take better control of your health. Take our online assessment as a first step toward a healthier you.

woman holding chest outside on park bench.

Heart Attack Symptoms

Although most people who have a heart attack have chest pain, there are other signs you should know. And symptoms can be different for men and women.

Woman cutting vegetables and preparing sandwiches with two kids

Nutrition Services

Whether you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes, or you want to lose weight or lower your cholesterol, our dietitians can help. We offer nutrition counseling, meal planning, weight-loss guidance, and more.

Make an Appointment

For an appointment, call 1-833-34-TOWER, log into MyTowerHealth, or fill out our appointment request form.

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