Heart and blood vessel specialists are doctors who have specific expertise in treating diseases related to the heart and blood vessels, or cardiovascular. His educational background is a general practitioner who has completed his heart and blood vessel specialist education.
Cardiovascular and vascular medicine is also a field studied by specialists in internal medicine. Heart specialists and internal medicine specialists often collaborate or cooperate with one another in treating patients who have heart and blood vessel problems.
Diseases Treated by Cardiologists and Blood Vessels
Cardiologists have in-depth knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of various cardiovascular diseases, from high blood pressure to heart attacks. Diseases handled by heart and blood vessel specialists include:
- Myocardial infarction or angina.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Vascular disease.
- Heart valve disease.
- Congenital heart disease.
- Aortic disease.
- Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy).
- Heart tumor.
- Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias).
- Pericarditis.
- Heart attack.
- Heart failure.
- Cardiac arrest.
Actions Performed by Cardiologists and Blood Vessels
In making a diagnosis, a specialist in the heart and blood vessels will trace the patient's medical history and perceived symptoms. After that, the doctor will do a physical examination of the heart to evaluate whether there is a heart condition. After that, to confirm the diagnosis, doctors will often recommend additional tests or further tests, such as:
- ECG (electrocardiography).
- X-ray, CT scan, MRI, angiography.
- Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound).
- Stress test / treadmill exercise test.
- Blood test.
After the diagnosis is confirmed, the heart specialist will determine the treatment steps to treat the patient's illness. Treatment with certain drugs and medical procedures may also be needed, according to the results of the diagnosis.
The goal of treatment is to stabilize the condition, control symptoms in the long run, and cure the disease if possible. In addition to medical treatment, patients will also be advised to reduce stress, undergo a healthy diet, and exercise diligently to improve their condition.
Some special medical measures in the management of heart and blood vessel diseases, which are the competencies of heart specialists include:
- Cardiac catheterization.
- Angioplasty.
- Angiography.
- Pacemaker implants or implantable cardioverter defibrillators implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen.
The competence of heart specialists is not only related to heart disease and heart arteries, but also includes general artery disease, such as varicose veins, vascular thrombosis and peripheral arterial disease.
When to Go to a Cardiologist and Vascular?
Heart disease is a deadly disease. Therefore, you are advised to immediately consult a cardiologist if you experience the following symptoms:
- Chest pain that extends to the back, chin, throat, or arms.
- Hard to breathe.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Nausea.
- Dizzy and weak.
- Sweating.
- Fatigue or complaints of tightness or chest pain after physical activity, for example after climbing stairs or exercising.
If you feel the symptoms above, immediately visit a heart specialist. If not treated immediately, a heart attack has a high risk of death. You are also advised to check yourself if you have risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes. Immediate treatment can reduce the more severe damage to the heart.
What to prepare before meeting a cardiologist and a blood vessel specialist
Many people are unaware of having a heart attack, because a heart attack is often considered a normal complaint, such as heartburn or colds. Many also underestimate the pain in the chest, even though the pain has been going on for 30 minutes and feels very painful.
Getting a diagnosis of heart disease can be surprising for some people. However, that does not mean you should be afraid to consult a cardiologist. Mental readiness and family support are very important in the success of treatment. In addition to these two things, you should also consider the costs required for examinations, medical tests, and medical procedures of a cardiologist. Costs incurred may not be cheap, so it takes financial readiness.
For that, you are advised to record complaints related to heart disease, such as when the complaint appeared, which area was in pain, how long the pain lasted, and since when the complaint appeared. A cardiologist will also ask you to share your lifestyle, such as diet and exercise routines, as well as smoking habits. Clear and complete information can make it easier for cardiologists to determine the right diagnosis.
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