What should I know about cardiology?
Cardiology is a specialized field of internal medicine that’s devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting your heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists also perform specialized diagnostic tests and procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting.
The doctors at Advanced Heart & Vascular Specialists carry the prestigious designation of FACC, which means Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. To become a fellow, cardiologists must have outstanding credentials, extensive training, proven achievements, and the strong endorsement of their peers.
When might I need a cardiologist?
In many cases, heart concerns are discovered during your annual exam and your primary care physician refers you to a cardiologist. But you don’t need a referral to schedule an appointment with the cardiologists at Advanced Heart & Vascular Specialists unless it’s required by your health insurance provider.
These are the top reasons you may need a cardiologist:
Chest pain and other symptoms
If you have chest pain that’s not related to an existing diagnosis like acid reflux, or you develop other symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease, it’s important to schedule a thorough evaluation by the cardiologists.
Major risk factors
If you have one or more of the major risk factors for heart disease, your cardiologist can determine how frequently you should undergo screening and work with you to create a plan to prevent heart disease. The major risk factors include:
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Overweight and obesity
- Lack of exercise
Stress is also a contributing risk factor as it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. When you’re under chronic stress, your nervous system releases hormones that may injure your arteries.
What symptoms develop due to heart problems?
Heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, and heart attacks cause symptoms that may include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of pressure or chest tightness
- Pain radiating to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweat
- Heartbeat that flutters or is too fast or too slow (arrhythmias)
If you have cardiomyopathy, which refers to problems with the heart muscle, it’s also common to develop swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet.
When you need a cardiology specialist, you can count on compassionate care from the experts at Advanced Heart & Vascular Specialists. Call the office or use online booking to schedule an appointment.
