Learning About Cardiovascular Disease with TidalHealth

SEAFORD, Del. – In this week’s Health Beat, brought to you by TidalHealth, WMDT spoke with long-time cardiologist Dr. Richard Simons.

Dr. Simons has been practicing cardiology for 40 years, and is the Director of Cardiac Rehab at TidalHealth Cardiology in Seaford.

“It’s always a good time to focus on cardiac health,” Dr. Simons says. “Cardiovascular disease is the still the leading killer of people in our society. And the prevalence is not getting any better.”

Several major risk factors include family history, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. Other risk factors can be more subtle; such as inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Societal issues, like poor lifestyle, can also contribute to cardiovascular disease.

“Poor diet unfortunately detracts from cardiovascular health,” Dr. Simons explains. “A good healthy diet, is full of fiber — fiber affects our gut bacteria to, form what’s called short chain fatty acids, which are very beneficial. Things we get in fruits and vegetables have anti-inflammatory effects on the heart and blood vessels. So diet can be very powerfully good for us.”

Dr. Simons says he is always encouraging individuals to practice a more healthy diet, especially adopting a Mediterranean style diet. He tells us that its the only diet that’s really been proven to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Dr. Simons also urges his patients to stay away from processed foods.

If you’d like to learn more about the services offered at TidalHealth Cardiology in Seaford, click here.