Archives September 2026

If you have a family history of heart disease, you have an increased risk of developing the disease as well. However, by taking steps such as exercising and choosing healthy foods, you can change your lifestyle and lower your risk of heart problems. Doctors may ask about your family history of heart disease to better diagnose your condition. Genetics play an important role in how diseases and health issues can be passed down through families.

Once your doctor knows your family history, they can make a more informed decision about any heart-related conditions you may have. One of the ways to determine how well your heart works is with cardiac stress testing. A stress test lets professionals see how much blood your heart pumps when it’s under stress. This typically involves patients walking on a treadmill and moving faster at certain intervals to determine how much stress can be placed on your heart before you must stop exercising.

Family History

A family history of high blood pressure is twice as common in the hypertensive population. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are strong risk factors in predicting the development of coronary disease in family members. Inherited cardiovascular diseases may only involve the cardiovascular system. Regarding family history, conditions may be genetically determined in some individuals but not in others.

Additionally, doctors may recognize genetic diseases associated with abnormal electrocardiograms or arrhythmias that affect the vascular system. Doctors can determine the cause of specific factors based on family history and information the patient provides.

Signs of Heart Disease

According to the National Library of Medicine, family history of cardiovascular disease can be presented in a variety of ways. For instance, family members with known heart or vascular disease can impact you genetically. Family members suffering from the following may experience an increased risk of heart disease:

• Heart failure
• High cholesterol levels
• High fat levels
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Aneurysm
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coronary thrombosis
• Irregular or racing heart
• High blood sugar
• Congenital disabilities affecting the heart
• Smoking

If you experience symptoms related to heart conditions, talk with your family members to learn whether they have any cardiovascular issues. Understanding your family members’ conditions can help you and your doctor better understand your health issue.

Ways to Prevent Heart Disease

There are a variety of ways for you to lower your risk of developing heart disease, even if you have a strong family history of cardiovascular conditions. Some of the ways to lower your risk of heart disease include:

• Choose healthy food options such as fresh fruits and vegetables
• Exercise regularly
• Receive quality sleep
• Refrain from smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Monitor your health by checking your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor
• Eat foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats
• Manage stress
• Receive regular health screening tests
• Prevent infections by staying up-to-date with vaccines

A healthy lifestyle can help keep your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels normal. A healthy lifestyle can also lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Find Treatment Today

If you have a family history of heart disease, speak with a cardiologist at Apex Cardiology to learn about your treatment options. If you want to prepare for potential heart issues due to your family history, consider taking proactive steps by getting routine heart check-ups. Doctors can run numerous tests to assess your heart health.

Consider Los Angeles Cardiologists if you are experiencing chest pain or heart-related problems. Our doctors have extensive experience caring for patients. Schedule a consultation today and learn more.

Breathing through your nose should feel effortless no matter what you are doing. However, for some people, it isn’t. Several issues can affect your ability to breathe effectively and efficiently through your nose. A deviated septum, chronic congestion, or prior nasal trauma can create challenges. This can make daily life a struggle, especially for active people. Effective treatment options can address the issue. You may wonder: Does septoplasty improve breathing? Below is helpful information about the procedure and why it may be right for you.

Does Septoplasty Improve Breathing?

Before surgery, many patients want to understand how effective septoplasty is. The procedure corrects structural problems inside the nose. This can improve breathing. Septoplasty straightens the septum, which is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates each nasal passage. When the septum is crooked, it restricts airflow. This can affect one or both nasal passages. After healing from surgery, patients report improvement in nasal breathing.

Results depend on your surgeon’s experience and expertise. This is why it is important to work with a top surgeon at the leading plastic surgery center. A thorough evaluation is necessary to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. In some cases, additional treatment is necessary. A skilled surgeon can assess your symptoms and create a customized treatment plan based on your needs.

Common Causes of a Deviated Septum

A deviated septum can make daily life challenging. Treatment can effectively address the issue. To determine if septoplasty is right for you, a surgeon will need to assess the cause of your deviated septum. Below are some common causes.

Congenital Deviation

Some patients are born with a septum that grows unevenly. This type of deviation is often present from childhood. This can occur even without injury or trauma to the nose. While the issue may develop in childhood, symptoms may not become noticeable until adulthood. This is because nasal tissue continues to change as you age.

Trauma or Injury

Trauma or injury during birth, childhood, or even adulthood can cause issues with the septum. Assisted deliveries can affect nasal structure. Pressure on the nose while passing through the birth canal can also shift the septum. Trauma or injury to the septum during birth or childhood is often not noticeable. Breathing problems often develop in later childhood or adulthood.

Trauma or injury during adulthood can also cause issues. Common causes include car accidents, physical sports, or even a fall. As with birth-related or childhood trauma, these symptoms may develop much later after the accident.

Aging and Cartilage Changes

The septum can shift throughout your lifetime. It is not a static body part. As you get older, nasal cartilage loses some of its structural support. This can cause the septum to shift from the center. This often happens gradually, so you may not notice the issue right away. If you notice breathing issues develop as you age, consult with a plastic surgeon.

Chronic Nasal Inflammation

Allergies, sinus infections, and environmental irritants can cause long-term inflammation. This can affect the tissue surrounding the septum. Repeated swelling and healing can alter the shape of the nasal structure over time. If you leave allergies and sinus infections unaddressed, you may develop a deviated septum. The same is true for consistent exposure to certain environmental irritants.

What to Expect from Septoplasty

Septoplasty involves repositioning or removing the deviated cartilage and bone in the septum. This widens the nasal passages and reduces airflow resistance. Patients often report improved breathing after the surgery heals. They also notice reduced snoring and better airflow during intense physical activity. Because the nasal obstruction has been removed, sleep quality also improves.

The surgery generally takes one to two hours. This depends on the complexity of your case. Surgical time may take longer if you are getting more than one procedure at the same time. Patients often undergo general anesthesia. However, some may be under light sedation with local anesthesia. We will discuss this at your consultation so you are prepared on the day of surgery. Septoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis. After a short post-op observation, you can go home.

Top Plastic Surgery Center

Breathing issues can make daily life challenging. If you need treatment, contact Dr. Brent and his team today to schedule your consultation!