Heart Disease Prevention and Treatment at Washington DC VA Medical Center
Every February, Washington DC VA Medical Center employees “go red” in support of American Heart Health Month.
The tradition of wearing red and spreading awareness for cardiovascular disease and heart health began in 1964, but the Washington DC VA Medical Center has been arming Veterans with the knowledge to live heart healthy for much longer than that.
In 1935, the VA established its first cardiovascular research unit at the Washington DC VA Medical Center to research ways to treat and prevent heart disease in Veterans. In the decades since, VA Physicians have studied Veterans with heart disease to identify underlying causes, risk factors and prevention and treatment methods.
Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, is the number one killer of Americans and VA research has been instrumental in identifying high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, as major causes of heart disease. Washington DC VA Medical Center’s Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Gregory Trachiotis, M.D., said these three factors have contributed to heart disease being the leading cause of hospitalizations for Veterans in the VA health care system.
“Veterans are a unique group compared to the general population in that there are slightly more smokers, diabetics and hypertensive patients. When we see those factors combined, there is a substantial increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which has become a major cause of disability in Veterans,” said Trachiotis.
In addition to diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and tobacco use, risk factors for heart disease include:
- Diabetes
- Overweight or obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol use
Family history of the following can also increase the risk of heart disease:
- Coronary artery disease
- Liver disease
- Immune disorders like HIV
- Genetic conditions that can cause structural problems of the heart
- Lipid disorders
Trachiotis encourages Veterans to share their family medical history with their primary care provider, who can identify any genetic traits that could pose a risk of heart disease and help develop a plan to minimize them.
“The heart is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen to the entire body, therefore conditions that affect the heart can create problems throughout the rest of the body as well,” said Trachiotis. “It is important to be screened by your doctor to identify and treat any underlying causes that can lead to heart disease.”
Medications to treat underlying conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can help reduce the side effects of living with heart disease. At the Washington DC VA Medical Center, Veterans can also benefit from cutting edge treatment for arrhythmias, heart failure and coronary and valve disorders. But, according to Trachiotis, the most effective treatment and preventative option continues to be implementing healthier lifestyle habits at home.
“I know we hear it often, but finding a good balance of routine exercise, eating healthier and avoiding excessive stress can make all the difference,” said Trachiotis. “Simple steps like replacing your carbonated drinks with water and spending more time doing the things you love to reduce stress can serve you very well in the long run.”
In the 88 years since the Washington DC VA Medical Center began researching heart disease, the demographic of Veterans it serves has changed. With more women Veterans enrolled in VA health care than ever before, Trachiotis said the Medical Center has adapted the way they treat heart disease to meet the unique needs of men and women.
“At the Washington DC VA Medical Center, we focus on all aspects of heart health to provide inclusive, effective prevention and treatment options for every Veteran,” he said.
To learn more about heart disease research at the VA, visit: cardiovascular disease.