Did you know that a person dies every 37 seconds in the United States of heart disease? It’s the No. 1 cause of death in American adults. That’s why it’s important never to underestimate the value of caring for your heart.
Robert H. Thomas, MD, FACP, at Coral Gables Executive Physicians in Miami, Florida, is a board-certified internal medicine and primary care doctor, regarded as one of the best internists in the country. He offers the highest level of expertise, ensuring superior care for your overall health and wellness.
Getting to the root of the problem
At Coral Gables Executive Physicians, our preventive medicine practice provides you with specific tests to help us gain an understanding of your heart’s condition so we can give you an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
Our diagnostic tests include:
Carotid intima-media thickness test (CIMT)
Your carotid arteries send blood from your heart to your brain. With this test, we can analyze the thickness of your carotid arteries’ inner layers. If your layers are thick, you’re at risk of developing plaque buildup, which can lead to heart disease.
The CIMT test can find out if you’re having a heart issue, even if you’re not having any symptoms. The test is non-invasive and only takes about 10 minutes.
Electrocardiogram (EKG) stress test
Our EKG stress test is included in our executive physical package. To perform this test, you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike to increase your heart rate while we watch your heart’s activity. Throughout the test, we monitor your blood pressure, your heart rate, and your heart’s electrical activity to help determine if you’re at risk for a heart attack.
This test takes about an hour, but your time of exercise only lasts seven to 12 minutes.
As part of our executive physical package, we also offer laboratory testing that includes a cardiac risk evaluation where we measure your total cholesterol and look for inflammatory cardiac markers. In addition, we provide genetic testing to see if you’re predispositioned to getting heart disease and other diseases based on your family history.
A more in-depth look
In some cases, Dr. Thomas might need a more in-depth look at your heart with additional testing that requires cardiac catheterization. You can rest assured that his expertise, knowledge, and experience provide you with the best care possible.
After you’ve completed your tests, Dr. Thomas evaluates your results. He then sits down with you to talk about ways to manage and maintain your heart health. You’ll have the opportunity to see the results with your own eyes and ask questions.
Battling obesity
If you struggle with obesity, Dr. Thomas might suggest weight management, since carrying extra weight is a leading cause of heart attacks and other serious health issues. He also might prescribe changes to your lifestyle, certain medications, and medical treatments or surgical procedures, if necessary.
To learn more about important tests for your heart health, schedule a heart evaluation with our team at Coral Gables Executive Physicians by contacting us today.
