Keeping a Healthy Heart Starts with Primary Care

Your heart health is in your hands. Simple lifestyle choices—like staying active, eating well, and getting regular checkups—can go a long way in protecting your heart.  

While heart disease is common in the U.S., affecting millions of adults, the good news is that most cases are preventable. By taking proactive steps today, you can reduce your risk and support a healthier heart for years to come.  

“Scheduling an exam with your primary care provider is a great place to start if you have a specific health concern or just need reassurance that you’re on the right track,” says Mackenzie Peterson, MD, a physician at Anderson County Hospital’s Family Care Center in Garnett, Kansas.  

A primary care provider can order blood tests, discuss symptoms to better understand your health, and address any concerns. They can check your risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions, recommend lifestyle changes, and refer you for a CardioScan screening or to a specialist at Anderson County Hospital.

Cardiologists with Saint Luke's Cardiovascular Consultants see patients at the Anderson County Hospital Specialty Clinic in Garnett, keeping patients close to home for most visits.

“When I talk to my patients about heart disease, healthy lifestyle changes that include both nutrition and physical activity are my top recommendations,” says Dr. Peterson. “We will also review specific risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, and prescribe medications if needed.”

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help keep your arteries strong and lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.  

“If you have heart disease, you may need to work on a few aspects of your lifestyle,” says Dr. Peterson. “But remember that the things that are good for your arteries, heart, and brain are also good for the rest of your body.”

Dr. Peterson shared the following recommendations to reduce your risk of heart disease:

• Diet: Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, more lean proteins and less red meat, and limit sweets and processed foods. Consider reducing fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake.
• Physical activity: Increase your physical activity. Try exercising, like taking a brisk walk, for 150 minutes per week. If you’re unsure about exercise, talk with your primary care provider about exercise options that will work for your fitness level and health history.
• Weight management: If you are overweight or obese, your provider can work with you to lose weight and lower your body mass index (BMI) to a normal level, which can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce strain on your heart.
• Smoking: If you smoke, break the smoking habit. Your provider can offer resources to help.
• Alcohol: Excess alcohol can raise blood pressure and strain the heart. Talk with your provider for recommendations to reduce your alcohol usage.
• Stress: Spending time in nature and connecting with family and friends can help lower stress levels. Your provider can also offer ways to help you deal with stress in your home and work life.  

“My goal is for all of my patients to have a long and healthy life,” says Dr. Peterson. “Our daily habits have a greater impact on our health than most medical treatments do. Making small and simple changes now can help prevent serious consequences later.”

Following our heart-healthy guidance can help reduce your risk for heart problems, though they cannot guarantee you won’t develop them. If a heart condition does arise, your primary care provider can refer you to one of our heart specialists at Saint Lukes’s Mid America Heart Institute, ensuring you receive the expert care you need.

Your primary care provider knows your health and family history better than anyone and can be a great partner in helping you maintain a healthy heart, but it’s up to you to take the first step.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Peterson or another primary care provider at the Family Care Center in Garnett, call 785-448-2674.

Mackenzie Peterson, MD, is a board-certified family physician who has been caring for patients at Family Care Center since 2005. Dr. Peterson values strong relationships with her patients and emphasizes evidence-based care in her practice. Her passion is disease prevention through education and promotion of healthy lifestyles. She shares these values outside of her practice by leading community activities, including Walk with a Doc and Monday Movement sessions at the Garnett Fitness Court.