For over 20 years, Dr. Edward Assi, an interventional cardiologist with Center of the Heart, has been working to improve cardiovascular care in the El Paso region and educating El Pasoans on the importance of maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle. With cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined, it’s a task he is passionate about.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% of strokes and heart disease cases are preventable. Additionally, nearly one in two adults has high blood pressure, yet only one in four has it controlled. When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can increase a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke and heart failure.
“With many of my patients, I don’t see them until after they have already had a serious life event such as a heart attack, stroke or in heart failure. I want to change that,” Assi said. “I can’t stress enough about the importance of having a primary care physician and talking to them about your heart risk factors – knowing your numbers for your blood pressure, cholesterol and any family history of heart disease. These three things can help your PCP know where you stand and if you should be followed by a cardiologist.”
Two additional contributors to cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, are both common in the Borderland region due to dietary choices and a lack of exercise. But both are correctable issues.
“I like to tell my patients they can still enjoy life and indulge in good food, it’s just modifying how you do it and reducing the portions and how often you’re indulging,” Assi said. “Additional lifestyle modifiers that go a long way with reducing heart issues are quitting smoking, increasing your activity and exercise – even just a 10 minute walk a day is very beneficial for your heart and your overall health. If you start today, you can get results very rapidly on the road to living a healthier lifestyle.”
Since 2020, Assi has led El Paso’s first structural heart team at The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus, to offer advanced cardiovascular treatments and technology to better treat and improve patient outcomes.
“The good news is there’s a lot you can do to prevent heart disease and it starts with taking control of your health and visiting your doctors regularly,” Assi said. “Here in El Paso, I am excited to see the advancements we are making and the treatments we now offer our patients here to improve cardiology care for our community.”
The Center of the Heart – a Providence Medical Partners practice – now has over 20 cardiology providers with six offices across El Paso, offering our patients the access to high-quality heart care in the convenience of their neighborhood.
For more information, or to find a cardiologist, visit: Find a Cardiologist.
