Wellness Tips from Josef Schenker, MD
Welcome to our Wellness Tips series, brought to you by Dr. Josef Schenker, Medical Director at Centers Urgent Care. Through this series, Dr. Schenker shares his deep expertise in internal medicine and emergency care—making complex health topics easy to understand and apply in your daily life.
Every post is crafted with one goal in mind: to help you take better care of yourself. From practical tips to prevention strategies, Dr. Schenker guides you in making smarter, healthier choices—because being well isn’t just about treating illness, it’s about living fully.
Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming 919,032 lives in 2023 alone. This highlights why understanding and managing cardiovascular conditions is critical—not just for patients, but for anyone who wants to stay ahead of heart health.
CVD is more than just “heart problems.” It includes a wide range of issues that affect how your heart and blood vessels work. Left unmanaged, these conditions can lead to serious complications like stroke, heart failure, or even sudden death. That’s why timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care are so important.
Dr. Josef Schenker Explains What is a Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. CVD includes the following:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD): This common condition is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to your heart.
- Heart failure: A chronic condition where the heart can’t pump blood as effectively as it should.
- Arrhythmia: This refers to an irregular heartbeat, whether too fast, too slow, or inconsistent.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): When arteries in your legs or arms become narrow, it reduces blood flow and causes discomfort.
- Stroke: Occurs when blood flow to your brain is blocked or interrupted, leading to serious brain damage if not treated fast.
- Congenital heart disease: These are heart defects you’re born with, which can affect how your heart functions.
- Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.
Josef Schenker, MD, further explains that CDV often develops slowly, sometimes over years, which is why many people don’t notice any warning signs until the disease has already progressed. That’s what makes awareness, regular checkups, and early detection so important, because catching it early can make all the difference.
Common Causes of CDV
- High blood pressure (hypertension): This condition makes your heart work harder than normal, gradually damaging your blood vessels and increasing your risk of heart problems.
- High cholesterol: When cholesterol levels are too high, it can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and reduce healthy blood flow.
- Smoking: Smoking damages your blood vessels and thickens your blood, making clots more likely and increasing heart disease risk.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar from diabetes can harm arteries and the nerves that control your heart over time.
- Obesity: Carrying extra weight strains your heart and is often linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Not moving enough can lead to weight gain and poor heart health, raising your risk for several cardiovascular issues.
- Excessive alcohol intake: Drinking too much can raise your blood pressure and weaken your heart over time.
Common Symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort: You might feel pressure, squeezing, or pain in your chest, especially during activity or stress.
- Shortness of breath: Feeling winded when walking, exercising, or lying down can be a sign your heart isn’t pumping properly.
- Fatigue: Constant tiredness, even without much effort, may signal that your heart isn’t supplying enough oxygen-rich blood.
- Palpitations: A fluttering or pounding heartbeat can point to an irregular rhythm that may need attention.
- Swelling in legs or ankles: If your heart struggles to circulate blood, fluid can build up in your lower limbs.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and types of cardiovascular disease is the first step in taking control of your heart health.
Josef Schenker, MD, Explains How Cardiovascular Disease is Treated
Josef Schenker, MD, emphasizes that treating cardiovascular disease isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right plan depends on a person’s age, overall health, specific diagnosis, and severity of symptoms. Lifestyle, genetics, and any existing conditions all play a part, too.
Let’s break down the most common treatment options:
Medications
- Blood pressure medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers): These drugs help relax blood vessels and reduce the heart’s workload, making it easier to pump blood. They’re essential for managing hypertension and preventing long-term damage to the heart and arteries.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins): Statins lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, which helps reduce plaque buildup in arteries. This can prevent blockages and lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants): These medications don’t actually thin your blood but help prevent clots from forming. They’re especially useful for people with heart rhythm problems or those who’ve had procedures like stent placement.
- Diuretics: Also known as “water pills,” diuretics help your body get rid of excess sodium and fluid. This reduces the amount of fluid the heart has to pump, easing pressure and improving symptoms of heart failure.
- Antiarrhythmics: These help stabilize the electrical impulses in your heart, correcting irregular heartbeats. They’re often used for conditions like atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
Dr. Josef Schenker says that these medications are often the first line of defense, and when taken correctly and monitored regularly, they can significantly improve your quality of life.
Procedures and Surgeries
- Angioplasty and stenting: A thin tube with a balloon is guided into a blocked artery. Once inflated, it opens up the artery, and a small mesh stent is left behind to keep it open and restore proper blood flow.
- Bypass surgery: This procedure uses blood vessels from other parts of your body to reroute blood around blocked arteries. It’s often recommended when multiple arteries are blocked or when stenting isn’t enough.
- Pacemaker installation: A small device placed under the skin helps regulate your heartbeat. It’s commonly used for slow or irregular heart rhythms that cause fatigue or dizziness.
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs): These devices monitor your heart and deliver a shock if they detect a dangerous rhythm. They’re a safety net for people at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Valve repair or replacement: When valves don’t open or close properly, they can affect blood flow. Surgery can either repair the existing valve or replace it with an artificial one to improve heart function.
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While the idea of surgery may be unsettling, Josef Schenker, MD, explains that many procedures are minimally invasive and have high success rates, especially when done early and as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Heart-healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol. Think of food as fuel that powers your heart every day.
- Regular physical activity: You don’t need to run marathons—brisk walking, swimming, or biking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can work wonders for your cardiovascular health.
- Weight management: Carrying excess weight puts added strain on your heart. Even losing just 5–10% of your body weight can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels, increases clot risk, and accelerates plaque buildup. Quitting is one of the best gifts you can give your heart—and your entire body.
- Limit alcohol: Drinking in moderation is key. Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, contribute to arrhythmias, and weaken the heart muscle over time.
- Stress management: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure and contribute to unhealthy habits. Techniques like deep breathing, yoga, journaling, or even simply walking outside can make a difference.
These lifestyle habits may seem small, but they’re powerful tools in preventing and managing heart disease.
Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-Up
- Regular checkups: Routine visits help your provider keep an eye on key indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart rhythm. Catching issues early makes a big difference.
- Cardiac rehab: After a heart event or surgery, cardiac rehab offers supervised exercise, nutrition counseling, and emotional support. It’s designed to strengthen both your heart and your confidence in managing it.
- Home monitoring tools: Devices like home blood pressure monitors or wearable heart rate trackers can help you stay on top of your numbers between visits and adjust habits when needed.
Staying connected to your care team and being actively involved in your health keeps your heart on the right track. According to Dr. Josef Schenker, monitoring is just as important as treatment—it helps prevent future issues and ensures you’re on the right path to recovery.
Josef Schenker, MD, Answers Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, heart disease can be hereditary. If close family members have had heart problems—especially at a young age—your risk may be higher. But genetics isn’t destiny; healthy habits, regular checkups, and early screening can still make a big difference.
Several factors can raise your risk, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Poor diet, chronic stress, and excessive alcohol intake also play a role. Family history also matters, so knowing your background is important.
You can lower your risk by eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, managing stress, and limiting alcohol. Regular health screenings help catch issues early. Staying on top of chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure is also key to prevention.
No, cardiovascular disease usually can’t be cured completely, but it can be managed very effectively. With the right treatment plan, lifestyle changes, and medical support, many people live long, active lives. Early diagnosis and consistent care make a real difference in outcomes.
Your Heart, Your Health: Get Cardiovascular Treatment
Your heart is central to your health, and taking care of it starts with awareness, proactive management, and the willingness to make meaningful changes. If you’ve been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition or if you’re at risk, don’t wait. Early treatment and regular follow-up care can dramatically improve your quality of life and help prevent serious complications.
At Centers Urgent Care, we offer compassionate, expert care across several locations in New York, making quality treatment easily accessible. Our team, led by Dr. Josef Schenker, provides personalized support to help you understand your condition and take control of your heart health. Whether you need a routine screening or long-term care, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
About Josef Schenker, MD:
Dr. Josef Schenker, a board-certified expert in internal medicine and emergency medical services, brings extensive experience and compassion to his role as Medical Director and Partner at Centers Urgent Care. With leadership in SeniorCare Emergency Medical Services and as an Attending Physician at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Dr. Schenker oversees critical care and treatment protocols across varied medical needs. His dedication extends to chairing NYC REMAC, ensuring adherence to state standards in emergency medical procedures. At Centers Urgent Care, Dr. Schenker's expertise ensures prompt, high-quality emergency care for patients of all ages, supported by state-of-the-art facilities including a dedicated pediatric suite.
