Heart Health Specialist

James J. Biemer, MD

Internists located in Portland, OR

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but you have more control over your heart health than you might think. To stay healthy, visit The Biemer Clinic in Portland, Oregon. With an emphasis on personalized, accessible medical care, Dr Biemer, Julia, and their team can help you recover from heart problems and develop habits that lead to a thriving, healthy lifestyle.

503-384-0316

Heart Health Q & A

What are the symptoms of heart health problems?

Heart disease earns its nickname of “the silent killer” because many people don’t even realize there is a problem early on because no symptoms appear. Eventually, however, signs may emerge that you have a heart condition, or that your heart is working excessively hard. Some of the most common signs of heart health problems include:

Shortness of breath
Tightness in the chest
Pain or numbness in the legs or arms
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Fainting
Extreme fatigue
Swelling in the hands or feet

Symptoms may come and go, and they may get worse with certain lifestyle habits or circumstances, like drinking alcohol, smoking, or stress.

What are common heart health conditions?

A number of common heart health conditions can develop in adulthood, the most common being:

Hypertension

Hypertension is having consistently high blood pressure due to the resistance of blood flow in your arteries. Hypertension often causes no noticeable symptoms.

Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia, most often called high cholesterol, means you have too much “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. With an increase in LDL cholesterol, you can develop plaque and blockages in your arteries.

How can I maintain heart health?

Dr Biemer, Julia and their team help people with early diagnosis of coronary disease. With the appropriate screening tools, it’s possible to catch heart problems early on and prevent complications that can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other problems.

It is also possible to address many heart problems with a heart-healthy diet and exercise programs.

Regardless of your starting point, Dr. Biemer, Julia and their team work with you to move towards healthier goals and outcomes. They can also refer you to any necessary specialists for further testing and treatment.