Cardiovascular disease prevention saves and extends lives. Augusta University Health’s experienced Cardiology, Neurology and Radiology specialists have teamed up to create a program where patients can set up a consultation for themselves or be referred by their primary care physician to focus on maintaining their heart health.
The AU Health Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention providers are dedicated to diagnosing and managing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The overall goal is to quantify the risk, improve cardiovascular scores reflecting that risk, and design a personal prevention plan that targets risk reduction as recommended by the American Heart Association.
Almost half of all cardiovascular disease are directly connected to poorly controlled risk factors, and this program is focused on preventing cardiovascular disease, primarily before it occurs.
“Experts and patients can work together to extend and improve quality of life,” said Dr. Doug Miller, a cardiologist and director of the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Program. “The CVD Prevention program is driven by the commitment, expertise, and experience of AU Health specialists who offer a multi-disciplinary approach to reducing the risk of developing heart attack, stroke and cardiac death.”
Doctors will focus on managing cardiovascular risk factors for heart disease with tailored medical therapies, and will also provide guidance on lifestyle modifications such as exercise, stress reduction, diet, and smoking cessation. AU Health providers are treating individuals who have a strong family history of coronary heart disease, any history of recent cardiovascular event, and high levels of blood cholesterol, blood pressure or a CT scan revealing an abnormally high coronary calcium score.
“Disease prevention is beneficial to society and to patients, by treating risk factors before any cardiovascular disease develops. There is a huge early detection and disease prevention opportunity in the CSRA,” said Dr. Miller.
Patients can call for a consultation at 706-721-8937, or physicians can refer their patients at 706-721-9522. You can visit the preventive cardiology website here.
