Heart disease describes several conditions, the most common of which is coronary artery disease. At Passion Health Primary Care, Shyamala Arani Purushotham, MD, FACP, CPHQ, Pooja Naik, MD, and the team of heart doctors provide initial heart screenings to determine if you have heart disease. Once diagnosed, they’ll work with you to manage your condition through ongoing heart disease treatment and personalized care.
Call the offices in Irving, Plano, Frisco, Prosper, Aubrey, Kemp, Kaufman, Flower Mound, and Forney (Temporarily Closed) to learn more about the cardiac screening and treatment services offered at Passion Health Primary Care. You can also schedule an appointment online with a trusted heart specialist.
Your provider at Passion Health Primary Care works closely with your heart specialist to coordinate care and management of your specific case.
Heart disease doesn’t always present with apparent symptoms. Often, your condition isn’t diagnosed until you’ve experienced dire symptoms like a heart attack or irregular heartbeat.
Heart disease is often caught during a routine physical. Your provider might hear something unusual in your heart or order an EKG that reveals blockages.
These symptoms can indicate a heart attack, irregular heartbeat, or heart failure.
Heart valve and heart muscle disease are often caused by a buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries (atherosclerosis). This is called coronary artery disease (CAD) and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Heart disease is often tied to genetics. So if a close relative in your family has heart disease, you’re at greater risk of developing it, too — especially as you age.
Other risk factors include:
At Passion Health Primary Care, we can help you make the changes that reduce most of these risk factors.
The Passion Health Primary Care team supports you with weight loss treatments, dietary recommendations, stop-smoking programs, and high blood pressure and cholesterol management.
These changes can significantly affect your risk of developing heart disease and improve your condition if you’re already diagnosed with the disease.
Medications can also be prescribed to help control your heart disease. The medicine you receive will depend on your diagnosis.
If you need surgery for a specific heart problem, the Passion Health Primary Care team supports you before and after surgery so that you recover quickly.
Get the medical management you need for heart disease at Passion Health Primary Care. Call one of the offices today or use this website to make an appointment online.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a broad term used to describe conditions that affect the heart’s structure or function, including blocked arteries, heart rhythm problems, valve disorders, and heart muscle disease.
What is considered heart disease?
Heart disease includes coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, and cardiomyopathies.
Is cardiovascular disease the same as heart disease?
Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease and blood vessel diseases such as stroke and peripheral artery disease.
Is heart disease a chronic disease?
Yes. Most forms of heart disease are long-term (chronic) conditions that require ongoing management.
What causes heart disease?
Heart disease is caused by factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and genetics.
Does cholesterol cause heart disease?
Yes. High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can build up in arteries, leading to blockages and heart disease.
Does high blood pressure cause heart disease?
Yes. Long-term high blood pressure strains the heart and damages arteries.
Is high blood pressure considered heart disease?
High blood pressure is a major risk factor and can lead to hypertensive heart disease.
Does smoking cause heart disease?
Yes. Smoking damages blood vessels, lowers oxygen levels, and increases clot formation.
Does sugar cause heart disease?
Excess sugar can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, increasing heart disease risk.
Does alcohol cause heart disease?
Heavy or long-term alcohol use can weaken the heart and raise blood pressure.
Is heart disease genetic?
Yes. Family history increases risk, but lifestyle plays a major role.
What percentage of heart disease is genetic?
About 20–30% of heart disease risk is linked to genetics.
Is heart disease inherited from mother or father?
It can be inherited from either parent.
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease occurs when arteries supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked.
What is ischemic heart disease?
Ischemic heart disease happens when reduced blood flow damages the heart muscle.
What are the 4 stages of ischemic heart disease?
They include reduced blood flow, angina, heart attack, and heart failure.
What is hypertensive heart disease?
Heart damage caused by long-term high blood pressure.
What is heart valve disease?
A condition where heart valves do not open or close properly.
What is valvular heart disease?
Another term for heart valve disease affecting blood flow through the heart.
What causes heart valve disease?
Aging, infections, rheumatic fever, congenital defects, or heart attacks.
What is rheumatic heart disease?
Heart valve damage caused by untreated strep infections.
What is congenital heart disease?
Heart defects present at birth.
What is structural heart disease?
Problems with the heart’s structure, including valves, walls, or chambers.
What is amyloid heart disease?
A rare condition caused by abnormal protein buildup in the heart.
What is ATTR-CM heart disease?
A type of amyloid cardiomyopathy caused by transthyretin protein deposits.
Is AFib considered heart disease?
Yes. Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder.
Is SVT a heart disease?
SVT is a heart rhythm condition, not structural heart disease.
Is heart failure a disease?
Yes. It means the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
Is mitral valve prolapse heart disease?
It is a valve condition that may or may not cause symptoms.
Is a heart murmur heart disease?
Not always. Some murmurs are harmless, others signal heart problems.
Is POTS a heart disease?
POTS affects heart rate regulation but is not structural heart disease.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, swelling, and irregular heartbeat.
What does heart disease feel like?
Symptoms may include pressure in the chest, breathlessness, weakness, or palpitations.
Does heart disease make you tired?
Yes. Reduced blood flow can cause ongoing fatigue.
Are sock marks a sign of heart disease?
They may indicate fluid retention, a possible sign of heart failure.
Is excessive sweating during exercise a sign of heart disease?
It can be normal, but sudden or extreme sweating should be evaluated.
How do I know if I have heart disease?
Only medical testing can confirm heart disease.
How is heart disease diagnosed?
Through physical exams, blood tests, EKGs, stress tests, echocardiograms, and imaging.
How to test for heart disease?
Doctors may order blood work, EKG, echocardiogram, stress testing, or CT scans.
How to check for heart disease at home?
You can monitor blood pressure and heart rate, but diagnosis requires a doctor.
Is heart disease curable?
Most heart disease cannot be cured but can be managed.
Can heart disease be reversed?
Early heart disease may improve with lifestyle changes and treatment.
How to reverse heart disease naturally?
Healthy diet, exercise, weight control, quitting smoking, and stress reduction.
How to reverse heart disease fast?
There is no instant reversal—consistent lifestyle changes and medical care are key.
Can stem cells treat heart disease?
Research is ongoing; it is not standard treatment.
How to treat heart disease?
Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
How to prevent heart disease?
Eat healthy, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, control blood pressure and cholesterol.
Why is physical activity important in preventing heart disease?
Exercise strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and lowers risk factors.
How to avoid heart disease?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and get regular checkups.
How to prevent coronary heart disease?
Manage cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and maintain physical activity.
How to prevent heart valve disease?
Treat infections promptly and manage blood pressure.
How long can you live with heart disease?
Many people live long, full lives with proper treatment.
How long can you live with ischemic heart disease?
With treatment, many live for decades.
Is heart disease a disability?
Severe cases may qualify for disability benefits.
What is heart disease in women?
Heart disease in women may cause subtle symptoms like fatigue and nausea.
Is heart disease inherited?
Yes, but lifestyle factors greatly influence risk.
Medical Disclaimer – FAQ Content
The information provided on this FAQ page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Content related to high cholesterol, diet, supplements, medications, and lifestyle is general in nature and may not apply to every individual.
Health conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension vary based on personal medical history, genetics, and other risk factors. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, supplements, or medications.
Reading this content does not establish a physician–patient relationship. Do not disregard or delay professional medical advice because of information found on this website.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other urgent medical concerns, seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services.
