913-29-SPIRA (77472)
© 2026 Spira Care. All Rights Reserved. Health plans with exclusive access to Spira Care are available through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
It’s common to take things that are in good condition for granted. You don’t think about them until they break. Maybe you assume your HVAC is running well until suddenly you’re without air conditioning in the middle of a humid Kansas City summer, or you get in the car to go to work only to discover you have a flat tire – things that with proper preventive maintenance might be avoided.
Similarly, your heart needs attention before there’s an issue with your cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.1 The good news: there are ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease starting today.
Dr. Khushbu Patel, a family practice physician at Spira Care Olathe, helps patients evaluate their cardiovascular health and supports them through diagnoses and lifestyle changes.
Who is at risk
Dr. Patel shared there are a few things that put people in danger of developing heart disease, including:
Since you might not have symptoms of some risk factors, it’s important to schedule a preventive care visit with your doctor.
“You should aim to see your primary care provider at least annually. Regular primary care is important to identify your risk factors, especially risk factors like hypertension and high cholesterol that are typically asymptomatic. It also gives you a chance to build a doctor-patient relationship that can help tailor care to you individually,” Dr. Patel said.
Women face even worse odds. Nearly half of women older than 20 have some form of cardiovascular disease, 2 largely due to increased risk from unique life stages like pregnancy and menopause.
How to reduce your risk today
If any of these risk factors hit a little too close to home, Dr. Patel encourages you to see your primary care doctor, who can help with ways to reduce your risk starting today.
Some things Dr. Patel suggests to her patients are:
“Making lifestyle changes can be daunting, which is why at Spira Care we offer a team approach to your care. I frequently encourage patients to work with our behavioral health consultants to implement changes in more manageable, patient-driven steps,” Dr. Patel said.
Take the first step
It can feel overwhelming to think about making so many lifestyle changes at once. Dr. Patel says to start simply.
“Your health is in your hands, and the first step you should take is to see your primary care provider. Regular visits with your doctor will help you catch and address risk factors earlier, and give you the opportunity for patient-centered treatment plans,” Dr. Patel said.
Blue KC members with exclusive access to Spira Care can call 913-29-SPIRA (77472) to schedule an appointment.
Don’t hesitate. Work with a Care Team today to tune up your heart health.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. In case of a mental health emergency, call or text 988.
Khushbu Patel, Physician, Spira Care Olathe
Dr. Khushbu Patel is a family practice physician. She is skilled in chronic disease management, as well as Women’s Health and pediatrics. She enjoys family care as it allows her to focus on healthy lifestyles within the whole family. She is fluent in both Hindi and Gujarati.
