In this easy-to-read guide, we’ll break down what cardiovascular disease is, what puts you at risk, and the everyday steps you can take to strengthen your heart in the new year.
Understanding Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (often referred to as CVD) encompasses a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and more. Many people are surprised to learn that CVD often develops silently for years before symptoms appear.
Common signs and symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, or swelling in the legs. But because early stages often go unnoticed, prevention and routine care are essential. That’s why regular visits with your internal medicine provider at Cullman Internal Medicine play such an important role in early detection.
Know Your Risk Factors
Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease are out of your control, while others can be changed. Understanding both helps you make smart decisions for your heart.
Non-modifiable risk factors include age, family history of heart disease, and genetics. As we age, our risk naturally increases, which is why staying proactive becomes even more crucial.
Modifiable risk factors are the ones you can influence:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor diet
- Obesity
- Chronic stress
The more of these risk factors you have, the higher your chance of developing cardiovascular disease. The goal for the new year is to start improving what you can, one step at a time.
Healthy Eating for a Healthy Heart
Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools you have to prevent heart disease. You don’t need a complicated diet to see results—focus on small, sustainable changes.
Aim for a heart-healthy plate filled with:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole-wheat bread
- Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, and beans
- Healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados
Try to limit foods high in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Many people find it helpful to plan their meals ahead or add one new heart-healthy habit each week, such as replacing sugary drinks with water or adding a serving of vegetables to lunch and dinner.
If you’re not sure where to start, the team at Cullman Internal Medicine can help guide you with personalized nutrition recommendations during your wellness visit.
Move Your Body More in 2025
Physical activity strengthens your heart like exercise strengthens any other muscle. Even moderate movement can make a big difference.
Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. That can look like:
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Light jogging
- Fitness classes
- Dancing
You don’t have to jump into a full workout routine. Simply walking 20–30 minutes a day a few times a week can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and boost your overall energy. If you sit for long periods during the day, try adding movement breaks every hour.
A bonus: exercise is one of the healthiest ways to manage stress, which also benefits your heart.
Managing Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two of the biggest contributors to cardiovascular disease, and both often show no symptoms. That means you may not know if something is wrong until a serious issue occurs.
Routine checkups at Cullman Internal Medicine help you stay informed about your numbers. Your provider can monitor changes, recommend lifestyle adjustments, and prescribe medication if needed.
Keeping your numbers in a healthy range is one of the most effective ways to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Stress and Heart Health
Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can take a toll on your heart. Stress hormones increase blood pressure, raise inflammation, and contribute to unhealthy habits such as overeating or poor sleep.
To protect your heart, consider adding simple stress-relief practices to your day:
- Deep breathing or mindfulness
- Gentle stretching or yoga
- Spending time outdoors
- Journaling
- Limiting exposure to constant news or social media
- Making time for hobbies
Even five minutes of calm can help you reset. If stress, anxiety, or depression feels overwhelming, talk with your provider. Mental health is a key part of overall heart health.
Sleep Matters More Than You Think
Poor sleep isn’t just frustrating; it’s also linked to higher rates of heart attacks and strokes. Aim for seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night.
If you snore, feel excessively tired during the day, or suspect sleep apnea, Cullman Internal Medicine can help you evaluate your symptoms and get the right treatment. Improving sleep often leads to better blood pressure, better mood, and a more energized body.
Quit Smoking if You Can
Smoking is one of the most damaging habits for heart health, but the moment you quit, your body begins to repair itself. Within a year of quitting, your risk of heart disease drops significantly.
If quitting feels impossible, you don’t have to do it alone. Your healthcare team can connect you with support resources, medications, and step-by-step strategies to help you move forward.
The Importance of Regular Checkups
One of the best ways to prevent cardiovascular disease is to stay connected with your healthcare provider. At Cullman Internal Medicine, your wellness visits, chronic condition management, and screenings all work together to protect your long-term heart health.
These visits help you:
- Track important numbers
- Address concerns early
- Adjust medications
- Review your lifestyle habits
- Set goals that fit your life
Preventive care is truly one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself this year.
Start the New Year with a Heart-Smart Plan
As you move into the new year, remember that heart health isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Small, consistent changes make the biggest impact over time. Whether it’s eating more fresh foods, adding a short walk to your daily routine, managing stress, or staying on top of your checkups, every step counts.
Cullman Internal Medicine is here to support you every step of the way. With a dedicated team committed to your wellness, you can feel confident knowing your heart is in good hands.
Make this the year you choose a stronger, healthier heart. Your future self will thank you.
Bethany is a board-certified family medicine Nurse Practitioner. She grew up in Cullman, watching her father, a physician, and her mother, a nurse, care for patients with both their hearts and hands. She learned from them that not only working hard, but loving and treating patients like family would develop the career that best suited her desire to help others. She has been caring for patients at Cullman Internal Medicine for 25 years. Building long-lasting relationships with her patients is important to her, and she genuinely enjoys being a part of their lives. She strives to provide compassionate, competent medical care which fosters an environment of mutual trust and respect.
Bobi Jo Creel is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ANCC-ACNP) with over 20 years of nursing experience. Born and raised in Cullman County, Alabama, she is deeply committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to adults and seniors in her local community.
Alicia is from Thomasville, Ga, but practiced in Burlington, Iowa from 2017 until joining Cullman Internal Medicine in 2025. Most of Alicia’s experience is in rural primary healthcare, which is where she learned of her passion for caring for patients with diabetes. From 2023 – 2025, her sole focus was assisting individuals in manage their condition more effectively, with a strong emphasis on long-term health and prevention of complications.
Pam is a lifelong resident of Marshall County and a graduate of Albertville High School, Class of 1976. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1981. Pam began her career in emergency and critical care nursing, serving in both the ER and ICU. When Marshall Medical Center North (MMCN) opened in 1990, she became the Nurse Manager of the ICU.
Stacey Varden is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who works alongside Dr. Jeremy Stidham in Internal Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and collectively has over 18 years of nursing experience. Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she served as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, where she developed a strong foundation in acute and compassionate patient care.
Lorie Jones is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner born & raised in Cullman, Alabama. Her nursing career began in 1997 after earning her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma from Wallace State Community College, followed by an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2000. She gained extensive clinical experience working at both Woodland Medical Center and Cullman Regional Medical Center before advancing her education to become a nurse practitioner.
Mollie Dockery, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages. With over 14 years of nursing experience and two years in advanced practice, Mollie brings a deep understanding of patient needs, especially in managing chronic conditions and promoting preventive health. Her approach is rooted in empathy, education, and a strong commitment to individualized care.
Kristy is known for providing personalized, expert care in Sleep and Lung Health, where she empowers patients thru education, awareness, supportive listening and compassionate guidance. A Cullman native, Kristy is deeply rooted in our community and shares a sincere
With over 15 years of nursing experience, Nancy Cornell is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) committed to providing high-quality care to her patients. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Western Governors University in 2017, she went on to complete her Master’s degree in Nursing in 2022. For two years, Nancy has been a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, applying her expertise in community urgent care to treat a diverse range of health needs.
Clark Still is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Cullman Internal Medicine. Clark is also the founder of New Beginnings Counseling of Cullman. He specializes in Christian-Based Professional Counseling.
Charlie Thornton has spent more than 24 years caring for others in a variety of healthcare roles—including paramedic, registered nurse, and for the past 10 years, nurse practitioner. He began his training at Wallace State Community College, completed his nursing degree at Jacksonville State University, and went on to earn graduate degrees from the University of South Alabama, where he became board certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Jeremy Stidham, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine physician who has been caring for patients in Cullman for more than 15 years. He currently serves as President of Cullman Internal Medicine and the Cullman Physician Alliance, where he works alongside a team of dedicated colleagues to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Nathan is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with a rich background spanning over two decades in healthcare. For the past ten years, Nathan has been a vital part of the CIM team as a Nurse Practitioner, also serving as a hospitalist nurse practitioner when needed. His extensive foundation was built over 19 years as a critical care registered nurse. Nathan is an alumnus of Wallace State Community College (RN), Jacksonville State College (BSN), and UAB (MSN), holding his nurse practitioner certification from the ANCC.
Dr. Benjamin Rogers obtained a degree in Classical Studies from Hillsdale College before attending medical school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University. He joined Cullman Internal Medicine in 2012.
Morgan McHugh, CRNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a special focus on diabetes management. A native of Hartselle, Alabama, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Dr. Erin Britt is a compassionate physician proudly serving her local community as a hometown provider. Raised in Cullman, Alabama, Dr. Britt graduated from Cullman High School. Her desire to care for others lead to enrollment at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), where she earned her medical degree.
The goal of my practice is to help patients achieve optimal health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, taking care of our mental health, and achieving quality sleep are all crucial for feeling good and living a healthy, enjoyable life. However, sometimes weight gain and hormone imbalances can get in the way.
Naykala is a Triple Board-Certified physician with over 25yrs of experience, dedicated to delivering comprehensive patient-centered care. Her practice emphasizes a whole-body approach, combining traditional Internal Medicine with advanced training in Obesity Medicine and Medical Acupuncture. She evaluates complex medical conditions with a focus on identifying root causes–especially those contributing to weight gain—and provides thoughtful, integrative treatment plans. Naykala’s 10 years of service in the U.S. Air Force deepened her commitment to non-pharmacologic pain management, and acupuncture has become a meaningful part of how she cares for patients.
Dr Parker grew up in Cullman County and attended West Point High School. His path to medicine was not direct. After high school, He attended Wallace State Community college and received an associates degree in business. Shortly after graduating Brian was married to his wife Karen. Unsure of what to do next he left his job as a butcher for the local Walmart distribution center where he would work for the next 7 years. After reflecting on his goals and desire to help others he decided to pursue medicine.
Dr. Vintson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician originally from Cullman. She graduated medical school from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, AL, and completed residency training at UAB Family Medicine in Huntsville. Dr. Vintson practices medicine seeing the patient as a whole person, understanding there are many components of one’s life that affects overall health and wellness. She loves seeing a variety of patient ages throughout her day and feels this is what makes family medicine and primary care so special. In addition to routine primary care she especially enjoys women’s health and preventative medicine, including Pap smears and menopause care, as well as diabetes management, nutrition, and mental health care. Dr. Vintson loves the Lord and enjoys time on the lake with her family, fishing, hunting, gardening, and podcasts. She has two young children and a loving husband of 12 years.
Dr. Adam Harrison is proud to serve his hometown of Cullman as a dedicated physician. A local from East Elementary through Cullman High, he earned his Biomedical Sciences degree from Auburn University, completed medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his residency at UAB Huntsville Family Medicine. Drawn by the opportunity to give back to his community, Dr. Harrison chose to build his career at Cullman Internal Medicine.