Preventing Heart Disease with UChicago Medicine Experts at Orland Park

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans has been diagnosed with some form of heart disease. Understanding your risks of developing heart disease is critical in keeping you healthier for longer. UChicago Medicine's dedicated team of preventive cardiologists can work with you to assess your heart disease risk and develop a plan that will prevent or slow the progression of heart disease for long-term success. UChicago Medicine's dedicated team of preventive cardiologists can work with you to assess your heart disease risk and develop a plan that will prevent or slow the progression of heart disease for long-term success.

If you have been diagnosed with a condition that can lead to heart disease, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, or are concerned because heart disease runs in your family, our preventive cardiology expert can evaluate your heart health and create a treatment plan to avoid or minimize cardiovascular issues. You can schedule an appointment with an experienced preventive cardiologist at our Orland Park location (14290 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, IL 60462) for the care you need closer to home.

Managing Risk Factors for Heart Disease

We understand the risks and causes of heart disease, including hereditary factors that could play a part in your heart health, and know that each patient is exposed to disease differently. We use those distinct risks to help create a personalized plan that will address the specific conditions impacting your heart health. These risk factors include:

Previous heart and/or vascular diagnosis: A previous heart or vascular condition diagnosis increases your chances of developing heart disease

Family history of heart disease: It has been shown that there are higher incidences of heart disease if one or more family members have been previously diagnosed

High levels of lipoprotein (a): High levels of lipoprotein can increase the chances of atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in arteries that lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, vascular disease and more

Unmitigated factors: Age (women over 65, men over 55) and/or ethnicity can increase the risk of heart problems.

Lifestyle choices: Existing health issues or comorbidities can damage the heart over time, such as uncontrolled, untreated or unmitigated:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Stress

Tailored Treatments to Deliver Personalized Prevention Care

Recognizing your risks for heart disease is the first and most important step. From there, our team can customize a plan that will slow the progression of existing disease or reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Your plan could include one or more of the following strategies:

Medications: Recommended medications may control high blood pressure, lower cholesterol or improve the pumping ability of the heart.

Weight control program: Nutritionists are available to create healthy eating plans with you.

Stress management program: Psychiatrists and psychologists regularly help patients identify and manage stress that may aggravate heart problems.

Cross-specialty clinics: We offer access to clinics dedicated to managing comorbidities that can lead to heart disease, like the Kovler Diabetes Center, Sleep Apnea Clinic, Pregnancy Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia Clinic, as well as programs that are focused on preventing or treating cardiovascular conditions, including Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic, Women's Heart Disease Program, Cardiometabolic Clinic and more.