Cardiology is the study and treatment of heart and blood vascular problems. A cardiologist takes care of people who has heart conditions or cardiovascular diseases.
Internal medicine also encompasses cardiology. A cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon are not the same thing. A cardiac surgeon performs heart surgery by opening the chest. A cardiologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular problems. The cardiologist will do tests and procedures such as heart catheterizations, angioplasty, and pacemaker insertion. Heart diseases affects only the heart, whereas cardiovascular disease affects the heart, blood arteries, and other organs.When would I utilize the assistance of a cardiologist?
If a patient exhibits signs of a heart issue, their doctor may recommend them to a cardiologist.
Shortness of breath, dizziness, chest aches, changes in heart rate or rhythm, and elevated blood pressure are all symptoms of a cardiac disease.
A cardiologist can do tests to determine whether you have a heart murmur or an irregular heart rhythm.
Patients who have suffered a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart disorders are frequently treated by a cardiologist. A cardiologist assists in the decision-making process for cardiac surgery, heart catheterization, angioplasty, and stenting.
A cardiologist can treat with the following heart diseases:
- atherosclerosis
- atrial fibrillation
- arrhythmias
- congenital heart disease
- coronary heart disease
- congestive heart disease
- high blood cholesterol and triglycerides
- hypertension
- pericarditis
- ventricular tachycardia
A cardiologist can advise you on how to avoid heart disease.
Even if there are no symptoms, a person should consult a cardiologist if they have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, are or have been a smoker, have diabetes, or are starting a new fitness program. A woman who has experienced pre-eclampsia may be more likely to have cardiac issues later in her pregnancy or during menopause.
What does cardiology cover?
A cardiologist will go through a patient’s medical history and perform a physical exam. They may examine the individual’s weight, heart, lungs, blood pressure, and blood vessels, as well as do various tests. An interventional cardiologist may perform operations such as angioplasties, stenting, valvuloplasty, correction of congenital heart defects, and coronary thrombectomies.Examinations
They may also perform or order the following examinations:
The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
Ambulatory ECG: ECG records cardiac rhythms while the person is exercising or going about their daily activities. Small metal electrodes are applied to the chest and wired to a Holter monitor, which records the beats.
An exercise test, often known as a stress test: Detects changes in heart rhythm when resting and exercising. It assesses the heart’s performance and limitations.
Echocardiogram: This provides an ultrasound image of the structure of the heart chambers and surrounding areas, as well as information about how well the heart is operating. Echocardiography can assess the heart’s ability to pump blood, which is referred to as cardiac output. It can detect pericarditis, or inflammation around the heart. It can help detect structural problems or cardiac valve infections.
Cardiac catheterization: A tiny tube placed in or near the heart collects data and may aid in the relief of a blockage. It can capture photographs and test the heart’s and electrical system’s functionality. Fluoroscopy-guided catheter-based procedures can be utilized to treat congenital cardiac, valvular, and coronary artery disorders.
Nuclear cardiology: non-invasive nuclear imaging techniques use radioactive materials to research circulatory abnormalities and diseases. Infarction imaging, single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), planar imaging, and myocardial perfusion imaging are a few examples.
Electrophysiology of the heart: Cardiac electrophysiology is a cardiology specialization. The doctor examines how electric currents inside the heart muscle tissue work, how the current distributes, and what the current pattern signifies.
Electrophysiology study (EPS) of the heart: a catheter is put into a vein at the top of the thigh for this procedure. It makes its way to the heart while being guided by fluoroscopy. The electrical signals within the heart are measured by the catheter.
An EPS of the heart can:
- assist in determining what is causing the symptoms.
- assist in determining if a patient requires a pacemaker.
- assist in determining the best treatment for patients with arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm.
A cardiac electrophysiologist can treat irregular heartbeats with, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, or cardiac ablation.
