Is Your Heart Actually Healthy? Understanding Your Cardiovascular Standing

When we think about heart health, many of us assume that feeling fine means everything is “fine.” However, cardiovascular health is far more complex—and often more silent—than we realize. High blood pressure, cholesterol imbalances or early signs of arterial plaque can quietly develop long before any noticeable symptoms appear.

In this article, Dr. Michael Deucher, cardiologist at Southwest General Health Center, discusses what it really means to have a healthy heart, the key indicators to monitor and how to understand your personal cardiovascular standing better—because when it comes to your heart, awareness is one of the most powerful tools for prevention.

Pay Attention to the Warning Signs—Then Act

While we all have a sense of what our bodies are capable of, subtle changes can signal that something isn’t quite right. If you notice increased shortness of breath, fatigue or a decline in your stamina compared to six months or a year ago, it’s important to take these symptoms seriously. Early conversations with a trusted primary care physician can help catch potential cardiovascular issues before they escalate, making routine check-ins a key part of maintaining long-term heart health.

“I always encourage my patients to make sure they have a great primary care provider they meet with once a year,” states Dr. Deucher. “That provider can do a physical exam, listen to your symptoms, do blood work and perform an EKG. I don't think people need to see me directly, per se. I think they need to have a good relationship with their provider.”

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because many people experience no symptoms as it develops. A healthy blood pressure reading is typically below 120/80, while readings above 140/90 indicate hypertension. Values in between are considered pre-hypertension. Because symptoms may not appear, monitoring your numbers regularly is important, especially if you’re on medication. Home blood pressure monitors can be a helpful tool to track trends and catch any concerning changes early.

“Just recently, one of my neighbors texted me and said, ‘Hey Mike, I have a really bad headache.’ I told him to check his blood pressure, which was 180 over 100,” notes Dr. Deucher. “Clearly, we're going to modulate his medications. He'll see me in a couple of days, but I really encourage people to listen to their body.”

Why Diet and Exercise Are So Essential for Optimal Heart Health

Both diet and exercise play a key role in heart health. When it comes to exercise, aim for 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week—whether that’s walking, swimming, biking or any activity that raises your heart rate and leaves you a bit short of breath. The key is consistency, not intensity. You don’t need to train for a marathon to support your heart health.

On the nutrition side, diets like the Mediterranean or South Beach Diet offer helpful frameworks, focusing on heart-healthy choices such as fruits, nuts, healthy fats and lean proteins. Ultimately, diet isn’t just about weight loss—it’s about making informed, sustainable choices that support your overall well-being.

“I think if you want to eat healthy, it means going to the store a couple of times a week. Buying the fresh fruits, the fresh vegetables, steaming them, not frying them,” advises Dr. Deucher. “Heart health also is influenced by how you prepare your meats, whether it's leaner red meat, fish or chicken. It's all in the prep work.”

One factor that can’t be modified is a person’s genetics. “You can't pick your parents. You have to work with the cards you're dealt. So, the things I help focus on are what can be modified, which is your lifestyle,” he adds.

Preventative Measures Ensure Positive Outcomes

For individuals without symptoms, a coronary calcium test can offer valuable insight into heart health. Unlike stress tests, which aren’t recommended for asymptomatic patients according to cardiology guidelines, this quick, non-invasive CT scan measures calcium buildup in the coronary arteries, a key indicator of atherosclerosis.

The test takes just a few minutes, requires no IV and provides a score reflecting the amount of calcium present. A score of zero is ideal, 0-100 indicates low risk and scores above 400-600 signal higher risk and may warrant further evaluation, such as a stress test. Some healthcare systems, like Southwest General, even offer this test at no cost with a physician’s order, recognizing its value in early detection and prevention.

“I can think of three people this year who came in to see me, but they were asymptomatic. They were in their early sixties, about ready to retire and really just wanted to get their heart checked out. So, we started with the coronary calcium test. It was like 600. We did a stress test, which was not normal, and we also did a heart catheterization. In the end, these three people needed bypass surgery,” shares Dr. Deucher.

According to Dr. Deucher, being proactive in your heart health is the most critical takeaway. “As a society, we need to do a better job of being proactive. We're the best country in the world at taking care of people when they're acutely sick, whether it's pneumonia, sepsis, heart attacks, et cetera. However, in terms of prevention, we're not very good.”