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What is Cardiology?

Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the heart and blood vessels. It focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, heart failure, electrophysiology, and valvular heart disease. Some of the subspecialties of cardiology include interventional cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, nuclear cardiology, and echocardiography.
 
Cardiovascular System - An Overview
 
The heart and blood vessels make up the cardiovascular system, also called the circulatory system, which transports oxygen, hormones, nutrients, and cellular waste products throughout the body.

Who are Cardiologists?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and their treatment. Cardiologists perform coronary artery bypass surgery, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, heart catheterisations, percutaneous coronary intervention, and stenting among other procedures.

When to Consult a Cardiologist?

Your doctor may recommend you to a cardiologist if you show signs of heart disease. The following are some of the symptoms that could suggest a heart problem:

• Variations in heart rate
• Pain in the chest
• Drowsiness
• High blood pressure

For a cardiac murmur or an irregular heart rate, a cardiologist performs a series of tests. Patients with heart failure, heart attacks, or other heart diseases are treated by them.

Heart diseases that a cardiologist may treat include:

• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Atherosclerosis
• Arrhythmias
• Hypertension
• Congenital heart disease (CHD): A congenital cardiac defect
• Atrial fibrillation: A disorder in which the heart beats erratically
• Coronary artery disease (CAD): A form of cardiac disease that affects the arteries of the heart
• Pericarditis

To make a diagnosis, cardiologists may conduct physical exams, suggest tests (such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and exercise stress tests), and interpret those test results. They may also provide guidance on lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and weight management, as well as medicine. Cardiologists may work as university professors or do laboratory research in order to create new treatments.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Cardiologist

• Suggesting tests, treatments, and/or surgery if needed.
• Maintaining detailed records of patient appointments and test findings.
• Performing tests to assess patients’ cardiovascular health.
• Using test findings to evaluate how well the heart or cardiovascular system is working.
• Diagnosing heart and cardiovascular diseases using medical imaging equipment such as CT and MRI scanners.
• Assisting or performing surgery, which may entail difficult surgical operations requiring a multidisciplinary medical team.
• Supporting and counseling long-term care patients.

What to Expect When Visiting a Cardiologist

When you visit the cardiologist, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and behaviours. They might also run a series of tests to figure out what's wrong with your heart. The following tests may be performed by cardiologists:

• ECG
• Cardiac catheterisation
• Ultrasound
• Cardiac biopsy 
• Exercise stress test

These exams will evaluate your cardiovascular health as a whole. After examining your test findings, the cardiologist will diagnose your ailment and make a therapy recommendation. 

recommendations for food and lifestyle adjustments may be included in a cardiologist's treatment plan. More serious conditions may demand heart surgery in differing degrees.

Where to Find a Cardiologist?

You can easily consult doctors on the Apollo 24|7 app or website to discuss your health concerns. The online healthcare platform aims to connect you to the best doctors who can help you manage and treat heart-related conditions. Book an appointment and speak with a cardiologist from the comfort of your home, using the Apollo 24|7 app or website