A surgeon’s mission to prevent heart disease.

Surender Neravetla, M.D., FACS, knows the human heart better than most. As a board-certified thoracic surgeon, he’s spent decades performing life-saving heart procedures. However, these days, Dr. Neravetla’s mission is more than repairing hearts. He is also focused on helping people protect their hearts before heart disease begins.

“I’ve seen too many patients on the operating table whose heart problems could have been prevented,” Dr. Neravetla said. “That’s why I’ve shifted my focus to prevention. We can do a lot to stop heart disease before it starts.”

Dr. Neravetla agrees wholeheartedly with the American Heart Association’s finding that up to 80% of heart disease is preventable. The key is understanding the everyday habits that quietly damage our cardiovascular system.

One of the biggest culprits? High blood pressure.

Known as the silent killer, high blood pressure often doesn’t have symptoms but can lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. “High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems in the world,” said Dr. Neravetla. “What’s most frustrating is that it’s largely caused by something we do, which is adding salt to our food.”

Our bodies need a small amount of sodium to function, which is already in the natural foods we eat. The result of too much salt is extra fluid in the bloodstream, which puts pressure on blood vessel walls and forces the heart to work harder. Over time, this constant strain can damage arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.

Dr. Neravetla encourages everyone to take three simple steps for better health. Reduce, substitute or eliminate table salt. Start by reducing how much prepackaged food you eat and how often you dine out. You should also reduce how much salt you sprinkle on your meals. Substitute flavorful herbs and spices instead of relying on salt for taste. When possible, eliminate processed foods, which often contain hidden sodium.