Cardiology is the study of the heart
The study and treatment of heart and blood vessel disorders is known as cardiology. A cardiologist may refer a patient with heart disease or a cardiovascular problem.
The branch of internal medicine known as cardiology focuses on the heart. Cardiologists are different from cardiac surgeons. Heart surgery is the responsibility of cardiac surgeons.
The heart is the system of the body that is responsible for regulating blood flow. A cardiologist treats diseases of the heart. They may perform heart catheterizations, angioplasty, or insert a pacemaker as well as other testing and procedures.
A heart disease affects the heart and blood vessels separately, whereas cardiovascular disease affects both the heart and blood vessels.
For a doctor to become a cardiologist in the United States, one must complete four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine training, and at least three years of cardiology training.
What are the signs that I should see a cardiologist?
A physician may refer a patient to a cardiologist if they exhibit symptoms of a heart condition. The following symptoms may indicate a heart condition:
- Breathing difficulties
- Moodiness
- Pain in the chest
- Heart rhythm or rate changes
- Hypertension
Heart murmurs or abnormal heart rhythms can be detected by a cardiologist. Many patients with heart problems, such as a heart attack or heart failure, are treated by them. Angioplasty, stenting, and heart surgery are all made from their recommendations.
The following diseases can be treated by a cardiologist:
- Angiopathy
- Fibrillation atrial
- Cardiomyopathies
- Heart defects congenital
- The disease of the heart
- Cardiomyopathy
- Triglycerides and cholesterol levels are high
- High blood pressure
- Angina pectoris
- Tightening of the heart valves
- Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure
Heart disease can be prevented by consulting a cardiologist.
If a person has a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, if they are or have been a smoker, if they have diabetes, or if they are starting an exercise program, they may need to see a cardiologist even without symptoms. After a woman has had preeclampsia, she may be at a higher risk of developing heart problems later in pregnancy or after menopause.
Cardiology involves what?
In addition to reviewing a patient’s medical history, a cardiologist will perform a physical examination.
In addition to checking the person’s weight, heart, lungs, blood pressure, blood vessels, and performing some tests, they may also conduct some tests. Interventional cardiologists may perform procedures such as angioplasties, stenting, valvuloplasties, correction of congenital heart defects, and coronary thrombectomy.
Testing
As listed below, they can also order or perform the following tests:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): a recording of the electrical activity of the heart
A ambulatory ECG: measures heart rate while the person is exercising or doing their normal activities. A Holter monitor records the rhythms of the heart by attaching tiny metal electrodes to the chest.
Exercise testing or a stress test: these determine how the heart beats during rest and exercise. It determines how well the heart can perform.
Echocardiogram: This photographic image shows the structure of the heart chambers and surrounding areas and can also show how well the heart is working.
By measuring cardiac output, echocardiography can determine how well the heart pumps blood. Pericarditis, inflammation around the heart, can be detected with this test. A structural abnormality or infection of the heart valves can also be detected.
Catheterization of the heart: a small tube placed in or near the heart collects data and may help relieve blockages. The device can take pictures and examine the heart and the electrical system. Congenital cardiac, valvular, and coronary artery diseases can be treated using catheter-based techniques and fluoroscopy.
In nuclear cardiology: radioactive materials are used to study cardiovascular disorders and diseases noninvasively.
There are a number of options for infarction imaging, such as single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), planar imaging, and myocardial perfusion imaging.
Cardiovascular electrophysiology
A subspecialty of cardiology is cardiac electrophysiology. In examining the heart muscle tissue, the physician examines how electric currents work, how the current spreads, and what the pattern of the currents mean. A catheter is threaded into a vein in the upper leg to perform an electrophysiology study of the heart. As it travels to the heart under fluoroscopy, it is guided. When the catheter reaches the heart, the electrical signals are measured.
Choosing a cardiology specialist
Heart doctor in Katy, TX, Modern Heart & Vascular Institute offers the latest cardiovascular therapies. Whenever possible, we try to prevent surgical procedures and medications. Dr. Rajiv Agarwal and Dr. Michael Siropaides have over 45 years of combined experience at Modern Heart and Vascular Institute.
We provide a wide range of heart and vascular related services and treatments to our patients at the Katy cardiovascular clinic. In addition to addressing high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we also treat peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, and more.
Rather than masking symptoms (preventive care), we want to find and fix the underlying problems. Modern Heart and Vascular’s cardiologists and cardiovascular providers take a holistic and educational approach to cardiovascular care.
