Your primary care doctor can give you immunizations, routine examinations, and treatment if you’re not feeling well. However, if you have a cardiac condition, your family doctor might not have all the solutions. You might need to see a medical professional a cardiologist with expertise in heart issues.

What does a cardiologist do?

A physician who specializes in heart and blood vessel conditions is known as a cardiologist. They can help you both avoid developing heart disease and treat it.

Primary care doctors treat a wide range of disorders throughout the day, whereas cardiologists only treat heart-related conditions. They are a good resource to use if you wish to lower your chance of developing heart disease or if you already have the condition.

To offer the finest care, they must stay abreast of the most recent developments in patient care.

What is the role of a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a medical professional who treats heart disorders, high blood pressure, heart failure, abnormalities with your heart valves and blood arteries, as well as other cardiac and vascular conditions. To figure out what’s wrong, they can request tests like electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and CT scans. With their diagnosis, they can prescribe medication, advise you on how to begin exercising and eating a healthier diet, or perform a heart catheterization.

A cardiologist will conduct a physical examination and speak with you about your symptoms, medical background, and family history. It’s crucial to let your cardiologist know if there are other heart disease patients in your family, as this may raise your risk of developing a heart condition.

Your cardiologist can gather important details about your cardiovascular health from some simple details, like your

1. Weight
2. Cholesterol levels.
3. Blood pressure.
4. Levels of blood sugar (glucose).

Your doctor will consider all of this data as well as any test results to determine your risk factors for cardiac issues. They’ll also inquire about your smoking status, level of exercise, diet, and medications you’re taking.

Cardiologist-Treated Conditions

Cardiologists can diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. The following are some of the most common ailments that cardiologists treat:

Ventricular fibrillation:

It is one of the most severe kinds of arrhythmia. It occurs when the heart quivers instead of pumping blood, and the blood pressure falls due to inadequate blood pumping.

Atrial Fibrillation: 

This is also referred to as an abnormal cardiac rhythm and occurs when the blood flows from the upper chambers to the lower chambers and changes with each heartbeat. Which makes it difficult for the heart to efficiently pump blood to the rest of the body.

Cardiovascular disease: 

This disease is a leading contributor to disease and fatalities. A constriction of the coronary arteries, which supply the cardiovascular system with blood and oxygen, is referred to as coronary heart disease. Myocardial infarction, heart attacks, angina, and shortness of breath are all frequently brought on by this disease.

Congenital heart condition: 

Nearly 1% of all infants born are born with a cardiac defect. Typically, a heart abnormality is the root of the problem, and treatment is required to resolve it.

Congestive heart disease: 

A chronic, progressive condition that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. It is frequently called “heart failure.”

Elevated cholesterol: 

Blood contains cholesterol, which is a wax-like substance. Since the body needs a particular amount of cholesterol to create healthy cells, having too much of it increases your chance of developing heart disease.

High blood pressure: 

Australian adults have high blood pressure at a rate of around 1 in 3. Cardiologists treat it as one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders daily.

What types of exams does a cardiologist perform?

The following tests can be requested by a cardiologist, but some of these tests may be carried out by other medical professionals:

1. CT angiography: an imaging examination that allows you to see your blood vessels and tissues.
2. Cardiac catheterization: Often known as cardiac cath or coronary angiography, is an invasive imaging technique that lets your doctor assess how well your heart is working.
3. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan: It creates images of your heart using a scanner and computer by combining multiple X-rays taken at various angles.
4. Cardiac MRI stress test: It is a drug-induced diagnostic procedure. It is used to monitor the heart’s blood flow.
5. Chest X-ray: It produces a picture of your heart, lungs, and bones. A chest radiograph is another name for an X-ray of the chest.
6. Echocardiography: An ultrasound examination called echocardiography is used to examine your heart’s anatomy and functionality.
7. Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): Temporary electrodes are placed on your chest and limbs during an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG). Which records, tracks, and records the electrical activity of your heart (which regulates your heartbeats) for diagnostic purposes.
8. Exercise stress test: It can determine how well your heart reacts when it’s working the hardest and can be done with a variety of exercises.
9. Holter monitor: It is a kind of cardiac monitor that documents the activity of your heart over 24 or 48 hours.

When should I visit a cardiologist?

If you have a heart or blood vessel condition requiring additional treatment, your primary care doctor can recommend seeing a cardiologist. You might need to consult a cardiologist if you experience chest pain, faintness, or shortness of breath. As they monitor your symptoms, your cardiologist may continue to work with you for some time.

What to anticipate during a cardiologist’s visit?

A cardiologist will perform a physical examination while paying close attention to your heart’s rhythm. They can detect irregular cardiac rhythms and how well your heart’s blood circulates.

Be prepared to discuss both your personal and family history of health. If your parents, siblings, or other family members have experienced heart issues, your cardiologist will want to know about it. Your cardiologist can use this information to determine the potential severity of your cardiac issues.

A message from the Heartscope Specialist Group

All of these conditions are treated by cardiologists using a range of methods. Such as drugs, dietary management, lifestyle changes, weight loss advice, and therapies. Patients may be sent to a cardiac surgeon for surgery in cases of severe damage.

Consider the professionals at Heartscope Limited if you’re interested in seeing a cardiologist. We have a group of experienced cardiologists qualified to handle any cardiovascular problems you might have. Call us at the location that is most convenient for you or make an online appointment right now.