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

Cardiologists undergo three years of general internal medicine training as residents after four years of medical school, followed by at least three more years of specialty study.

A cardiologist can sit for an American Board of Internal Medicine exam after completing 10 years of training. Cardiologists continue their education for as long as they practise, even after receiving board certification. To offer the finest care, they must stay abreast of the most recent developments in patient care.

Read this post to learn more about Cardiology & Heart Care Center.. Let’s first know what is cardiology , and then we move further.

What does a cardiologist do

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 more healthfully, or perform a heart catheterization.

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

Your cardiologist can learn important details about your cardiovascular health from some simple details, such the following:

• Weight.

• blood vessel pressure

• levels of cholesterol.

• levels of blood sugar (glucose).

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

What diseases do cardiologists treat or help you prevent

Cardiologists can treat a wide range of heart and vascular problems, including

• Atherosclerosis.

• High blood pressure.

• High cholesterol.

• Angina (chest pain).

• Sudden cardiac arrest.

• Heart failure.

• Heart attack.

• Blood clots.

• Atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders.

• Endocarditis.

• Cardiogenic shock.

• Heart valve problems.

• Heart abnormalities.

• Cardiomyopathy.

• Myocarditis.

• Congenital (from birth) conditions.

• Problems with your aorta (aneurysm, stenosis).

• Problems with your arteries (peripheral artery disease, subclavian artery disease, renal artery disease, coronary artery disease).

Stroke.

What kind of tests does a cardiologist do

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

• Cardiac catheterization.

• Chest X-ray.

• Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

• Cardiac CT (computed tomography).

• Coronary angiogram.

• Stress tests.

• Electrocardiogram (EKG).

• Echocardiogram.

• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).

• Holter monitor.

• Event monitor.

• Implantable event recorder/implantable loop recorder.

When to see a cardiologist

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

What to expect at a cardiologist appointment

A cardiologist will perform a physical examination while paying close attention to your heart's rhythm. They are able to 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. Knowing this can assist your cardiologist in determining the potential severity of your cardiac issues.

Your provider may ask:

• How long have you experienced these signs and symptoms?

• What does it feel like to experience symptoms (such as a dull ache or a searing pain)?

• What were you doing (resting, exerting yourself) when your symptoms began?

• When you experience symptoms, does anything make you feel better?

• Have you ever undergone heart surgery or a procedure?

• Do you have any scan records?

• What medications are you now taking?

If your cardiologist has the necessary tools on-site, they might do an electrocardiogram to quickly assess the rhythm of your heart. Other tests that take a little longer and require specialised scanning equipment that only hospitals have might also be scheduled for a subsequent session.

Conclusion

If you're experiencing heart or blood vessel problems, you could require the services of a cardiologist. You could require a certain kind of cardiologist who specialises in the ailment you have, depending on your circumstances. Your primary care physician can recommend a cardiologist, but you must feel at ease with the individual your physician has chosen. You may need to locate another supplier if you believe they don't communicate well with you