What Is a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist specializes in diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases or conditions of the cardiovascular system, which consists of the heart and blood vessels. A cardiology specialist typically has at least ten years of education and clinical training. They must also pass the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) exam.
What Does a Cardiologist Do?
If you have symptoms of heart disease, your primary care doctor may refer you to a cardiologist to evaluate your symptoms and medical history. The cardiologist may recommend diagnostic tests to assess your condition, such as:
- Blood tests
- Catheter angiography
- Cholesterol checks
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Coronary angiography
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise stress test
- Heart positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Heart screening
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- MR angiography
- Vascular ultrasound
- Venography
Depending on the diagnostic test results, your cardiologist may manage your condition using medicines or other non-invasive treatments. If these treatments do not work, your cardiologist may refer you to a cardiovascular surgeon, a doctor who performs surgery on the heart, blood vessels and lungs. You will remain in your cardiologist’s care throughout your heart treatment.
What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular is the term that refers to the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular). The human cardiovascular system includes the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins. Diseases affecting the cardiovascular system are called cardiovascular diseases.
Here are some conditions and diseases affecting the heart:
- Angina: chest pain that happens when the blood flow into the heart decreases
- Aortic stenosis: heart valve narrows, causing blockage to the blood flow exiting the heart
- Arrhythmia: irregular heartbeat
- Atrial fibrillation: an irregular heart rhythm that may lead to stroke, blood clots and other heart complications
- Congenital heart disease: any heart problem that is present from birth
- Coronary artery disease: affects the heart arteries
- Heart attack: sudden blockage of the blood and oxygen supply to the heart
- Heart failure: the heart is not contracting or relaxing normally
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: the heart enlarges and cannot efficiently pump blood
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the walls of the heart thicken, developing problems in the heart’s blood flow, muscle relaxation and electrical stability
- Mitral regurgitation: blood flows back through the heart’s mitral valve during contractions
- Mitral valve prolapse: causes mitral regurgitation because of the bulging of the mitral valve into the left atrium as the heart contracts
- Pulmonary stenosis: the pulmonary artery narrows, reducing right ventricle blood flow to the pulmonary artery
- Rheumatic heart disease: a strep throat complication that inflames the heart and affects the heart valve function
- Radiation heart disease: chest radiation that damages the heart valves and blood vessels
Here are some of the diseases affecting arteries, veins and capillaries:
- Aneurysm: a bulge in an artery that can rupture and bleed
- Atherosclerosis: plaque formation along the blood vessel walls narrows them and restricts blood flow
- Blood clotting disorders: blood clots form abnormally fast or slow, resulting in excessive clotting or bleeding
- Buerger’s disease: blood vessels swell, preventing blood flow and causing clot formation. It can lead to tissue damage, pain and even gangrene
- Ischemic stroke: happens when a vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked
- Renal artery disease: kidneys are not receiving enough blood because their arteries become stiff and narrow
- Raynaud’s disease: arteries spasm and temporarily restrict blood flow
- Peripheral artery disease: the narrowing of arteries that results in reduced blood flow to the limbs
- Peripheral venous disease: a blockage in or damage to the peripheral arteries and veins, resulting in varicose veins and leg swelling
- Venous blood clots: blood clots that form in the vein. They become life-threatening if they break loose, travel to the lungs and block blood flow
In the United States, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women. If you have any of the following risk factors, visit a cardiologist as you may be at increased risk for heart disease:
- Clinical depression
- Diabetes or insulin resistance
- Excessive drinking
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol level
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- Stress
- Unhealthy diet
If you experience any of the following symptoms of a heart condition, immediately see a cardiologist:
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, elbows, back, jaw or left shoulder
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness and nausea
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
More Than 40 Years of Heart Care Commitment
The experienced, highly qualified staff of Fountain Valley Regional Hospital allows us to provide you with award-winning cardiac care. Here, you will have access to a full range of cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical services. We use the latest non-invasive digital imaging technology to diagnose heart conditions. We also have:
- Designated cardiac and stroke-neurology receiving center
- High-tech imaging and minimally invasive procedures with a hybrid OR, interventional radiology and catheterization labs
- Electrophysiology services for cardiac arrhythmias
- Advanced operating rooms with both surgical and 3D imaging capabilities
