Heart Health: From Prevention to Intervention

With the goal of educating healthcare practitioners from around the globe on the importance of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Baptist Health South Florida Continuing Medical Education presented the Cardiovascular Disease Comprehensive 15th Annual Symposium, “From Prevention to Intervention.”

Heart disease continues to rank as the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The good news, according to Michael Ozner, M.D., symposium director and medical director, Center for Prevention and Wellness, Baptist Health South Florida, is that heart disease is becoming more preventable and manageable than ever. “We are at the cusp of incorporating several factors into a path for prevention,” Dr. Ozner said.

He opened the symposium by sharing his “road to progress” in combating cardiovascular disease:

• Healthy diet – eating more fish and plant-based options.
• Smoking cessation – quitting has immediate benefits.
• Stress management – learn how to lower your blood pressure.
• Regular exercise – get up and move!
• Keeping an eye on biomarkers – visit your doctor. Know your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride numbers.
• Pharmaceutical therapy – discuss options with your doctor, if necessary.

Other highlights of the first day included practical heart-healthy recommendations like eating more fatty fish (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids) and increasing the amount of daily physical activity. Another session discussed the latest research regarding coffee and caffeine intake. In moderation, coffee can be beneficial to cardiovascular health. Care should be taken to avoid excessive consumption, as well as abuse of creamers and sweeteners, which can have a negative impact.

The symposium runs through Sunday on Miami Beach. Participants will learn about new technologies in minimally invasive treatment of valvular heart disease, strategies for reversal and treatment of heart failure, and the latest interventional radiology technology.