Cardiologist

A cardiologist is a doctor whose work is related to the diagnosis, treatment and prescription of necessary preventive measures regarding various diseases of the heart muscle and blood vessels: arrhythmia, angina, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and many others.

There are many branches of medicine aimed at identifying and treating individual organs of the human body. Cardiology is a medical science that is based on the study of the structure and functioning of the cardiovascular system.

All organs in our body are closely interconnected, so cardiology is also related to other areas of medicine, for example, endocrinology. For the most accurate diagnosis of a particular heart disease, a cardiologist prescribes all kinds of tests to the patient, including angiography, ultrasound echocardiography, electrocardiography, etc. Mostly, a cardiologist prescribes drug treatment for cardiovascular diseases to the patient. However, if additional testing is required to clarify the diagnosis and perform surgery, the patient is sent to a surgical hospital to another specialist - a cardiac surgeon.

If you experience symptoms that indicate problems with your heart, you should see a cardiologist as soon as possible.

When should you see a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in various diseases and problems related to heart disorders. Regular visits to this doctor should be the norm for every person who cares about their health. Considering how important normal heart function is for human life, ignoring a timely consultation with a cardiologist is an unforgivable oversight.

When should you see a cardiologist? It is difficult to get an answer to this question in general. However, there are certain symptoms and signs that indicate the need. Among them:

• pain of any type and intensity, both in the heart and behind the breastbone, most often occurring during physical activity and disappearing after it stops;
• increase in blood pressure by more than 140/90 mm Hg;
• frequent shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or in a horizontal position;
• sensation of various kinds of interruptions in the work of the heart;
• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat over 100 beats/min.);
• bradycardia (heart rate too low – less than 50 beats/min);
• swelling, most often in the legs;
• general weakness of the body, excessive sweating, dizziness, and increased fatigue;
• fainting, as well as pre-fainting conditions that occur without any particular reason;
• hypertension, manifested in the form of hypertensive crises;
• rheumatism;
• pregnancy planning.

Patients with hypertension, arrhythmia, heart defects, angina, atherosclerosis, patients who have had a myocardial infarction, as well as pregnant women with heart problems should be monitored by a cardiologist.

The reason for visiting a cardiologist is also a hereditary factor. If there were or are close relatives in the family suffering from heart and vascular diseases, then this is a reason for diagnosing the body and timely detection of hereditary pathology in this area.

It should be noted that nowadays cardiological problems concern not only elderly people, but also young people. This is primarily due to the rhythm of modern life, high levels of daily stress, poor ecology and a sedentary lifestyle. Based on this, doctors recommend visiting a cardiologist starting at the age of 35.

What tests should you take when visiting a cardiologist?

During the consultation, the cardiologist is obliged to examine the patient and listen carefully to his complaints, but a more thorough diagnosis of cardiovascular disease should be carried out by passing all the necessary tests that will reveal the main problem of the ailment.

What tests should be taken when visiting a cardiologist? The doctor himself determines their focus and type. However, in most cases, among the main tests that allow you to make a correct diagnosis, the following can be distinguished:

• general clinical blood and urine tests;
• biochemical blood test;
• blood glucose level;
• total and direct bilirubin;
• total cholesterol test (including HDL);
• alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase;
• urea;
• neopterin and creatinine;
• alkaline photophase;
• gamma-glutamyltransferase;
• triglyceride analysis.

In some cases, there is a need for an X-ray of the patient's chest.

In addition to the above tests, the cardiologist has the right to prescribe various additional tests and examinations: ECG, including with load (treadmill test or bicycle ergometer), computed tomography, echocardiography (echoCG or ultrasound of the heart), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR or MRI), scintigraphy, coronary angiography of the heart, etc. Everything depends on the individual characteristics of the course and symptoms of the disease.

What diagnostic methods does a cardiologist use?

A cardiologist uses various types of cardiovascular disease diagnostics, which allow for a diagnosis to be made as quickly as possible and the cause of the development of a particular pathology to be established. Thus, the goal is achieved: to determine the stage of the disease and begin intensive therapy aimed at eliminating the symptoms and main problems associated with disorders in the functioning of the heart muscle. Timely diagnostics allow in many cases to save a person's life, especially when he or she needs urgent heart surgery.

What diagnostic methods does a cardiologist use? First of all, we can note those that are aimed at identifying malfunctions in the heart muscle:

• electrocardiogram;
• echocardiography;
• angiography;
• blood pressure monitoring;
• cardiac risk;
• genetic markers aimed at determining the disease (they can be used to identify coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and myocardial infarction);
• markers of autoimmune heart disease;
• daily myocardial cardiogram (the so-called "Holter monitoring");
• diagnostics of various types of cardiomyopathy.

Based on the results of the above diagnostic methods, the cardiologist determines what the subsequent treatment for the established cardiovascular disease will be.

What does a cardiologist do?

A cardiologist specializes in problems related to the cardiovascular system. Nowadays, heart disease is the leading cause of death among other diseases.

What does a cardiologist do? First of all, he diagnoses heart and vascular problems, as well as treats cardiovascular diseases identified during examination and prescribes preventive measures for the purpose of patient rehabilitation. In order to prescribe treatment, it is necessary, first of all, to identify the causes of the disease and establish an accurate diagnosis.

Today, you can follow the statistics of this area of medicine, and it is simply amazing. Every year, about 17 million people die from heart diseases worldwide! Among the progressive diseases are ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke. Unfortunately, the number of people suffering from heart diseases increases every year, and the age of patients decreases. That is why a timely consultation with a cardiologist is so important in order to prevent the development of a dangerous disease.

It should be noted that it is the irresponsible attitude towards one's own health that becomes the main cause of heart problems. A cardiologist is called upon to help detect the disease in time and find ways to treat it.

What diseases does a cardiologist treat?

A cardiologist as a specialist in the field of cardiology not only diagnoses cardiovascular diseases, but is also actively involved in the rehabilitation of patients who have encountered acute forms of heart disease to varying degrees. If you have any symptoms that cause serious concerns, you should visit a cardiologist.

What diseases does a cardiologist treat? Among the most common heart ailments that are within the competence of this specialist, the following can be noted:

• IHD (coronary heart disease);
• heart defects (both congenital and acquired);
• heart failure of various etiologies;
• arrhythmias (including incomplete heart block, as well as tachycardia, bradycardia, etc.);
• angina pectoris caused by acute insufficiency and manifested in the form of attacks of pain;
• aortic aneurysms;
• thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, leading to vascular occlusion;
• carditis (inflammatory lesions that occur in different areas of the heart muscle);
• infarctions and pre-infarction conditions.

In addition to the above-mentioned heart diseases, there are a number of other problems associated with interruptions in the work of the myocardium. They may be associated with the presence of some ailment related to another area of medicine. In any case, if the slightest deviations in the work of the cardiovascular system are detected, it is necessary to consult a cardiologist. This is the most optimal solution in eliminating negative processes and completely stabilizing them.

Advice from a cardiologist

A cardiologist is called upon to determine a cardiovascular disease, prescribe its treatment, and also ensure that the patient undergoes a course of rehabilitation after suffering a heart disease. This is a very important step, since the final stage of treatment of any disease is a cycle of actions aimed at eliminating factors that can cause a relapse. First of all, the patient should think about a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, exercise, and take care of the quality of nutrition.

Here are some general tips a cardiologist can provide to their patients to maintain heart and vascular health:

1. Regular check-ups:

   • Visit a cardiologist for regular check-ups and heart health checks. This will help identify problems early and prevent cardiovascular disease.

2. Healthy eating:

   • Eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, whole grains, and nuts. Limit salt, saturated fat, and added sugar.

3. Weight Management:

   • If you are overweight, work on losing weight. Even a small amount of weight loss can have a positive impact on heart health.

4. Physical activity:

   • Incorporate regular exercise into your lifestyle. It helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your heart and blood vessels, and lower your blood pressure.

5. Alcohol restriction:

   • Alcohol consumption should be moderate. If you drink alcohol, follow the recommended limits.

6. Quitting Smoking:

   • If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

7. Stress Management:

   • Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, relaxation, or hobbies. Try to avoid chronic stress.

8. Compliance with treatment:

   • If you have heart disease or other chronic conditions, follow your doctor's recommendations and take your prescribed medications regularly.

9. Maintaining Healthy Sleep:

   • Make sure you get enough quality sleep, as lack of sleep can negatively impact your heart health.

10. Relaxation of consultations:

    • Communicate with your cardiologist regularly, monitor your health indicators, and ask questions when you have concerns or concerns about your heart health.

These tips can help you maintain heart and vascular health. It’s important to remember that specific recommendations may vary based on your individual medical history, so you should always consult with your cardiologist about your own situation.

A cardiologist's advice aimed at preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases may be as follows:

• To avoid developing hypertension (high blood pressure), it is necessary to monitor your weight and not allow weight gain. The risk of developing a hypertensive crisis is six times greater in overweight people than in people with normal weight. Weight loss leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
• It is necessary to limit the consumption of sugar, sweet foods, and salt (sodium chloride). Excess sugar in the body leads to blockage of blood vessels due to the accumulation of carbohydrates on their walls, and salt attracts water and is deposited in the vessels, causing them to swell and spasm. To limit the dangerous effects of sodium chloride on the human body, it is necessary to increase the intake of products containing potassium. First of all, these are fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Giving up bad habits is of great importance for the proper functioning of the heart: first of all, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These harmful factors provoke the development of hypertension.
• It is necessary to learn techniques of psycho-emotional self-control, and also to limit conflicts and stresses whenever possible. Auto-training techniques aimed at calming, relaxing and increasing the energy reserves of the human body are good for these purposes.
• Outside of the exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to use cyclic physical exercises: walking (preferably up to 4-6 km per day), swimming, running, cycling. Naturally, before starting such activities, the patient must consult a doctor. The load should be reduced if shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, interruptions in the heart rhythm appear. The normal state is lightness in the body and pleasant fatigue.
• The treatment prescribed by the cardiologist should be regular and sometimes lifelong. The minimum dose of the drug should be taken even when blood pressure is normalized. Only after long-term stabilization of the condition can the drug be discontinued.
• It is necessary to be able to distinguish the symptoms of a hypertensive crisis. This condition is accompanied by a severe headache, pain in the left side of the chest, nausea and vomiting, weakening of vision, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes. If such signs are observed, you should take a horizontal position, measure your blood pressure, if the indicator is elevated, take a tablet of captopril (0.25 mg) and call a doctor.

A person's health depends entirely on his attitude to his life. The main thing in this matter is to show responsibility and strictly follow all the instructions of the cardiologist. Then the heart will work stably and without failures!

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