Cardiologist

A cardiologist is a medical specialist who specializes in cardiovascular disease. This specialty is also called cardiology. Cardiology has several subspecialties.

What does a cardiologist do?

A cardiologist supports, examines and treats people with cardiovascular disease. Conditions a cardiologist may treat include:

• Aortic enlargement
• Coronary artery narrowing (angina pectoris)
• Inflammation of the heart muscle
• Heart valve problems
• Heart defects
• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Heart muscle diseases
• Arterial disease

Cardiologists often have a subspecialty, such as pediatric cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology.

How do you see a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a medical specialist whom you can only see with a referral from a primary care physician or another medical specialist. An assistant asks about the symptoms when scheduling the appointment so that you can see the appropriate cardiologist.

What is a first appointment with a cardiologist like?

In many hospitals, an assistant first performs an ECG (electrocardiogram). This takes a few minutes and requires exposing the upper body. The cardiologist then immediately reviews the results.

The cardiologist asks about the symptoms and medical history and about any family conditions, since cardiovascular disease is more common in some families than others.

The cardiologist often then performs additional testing. An ECG and discussion are sometimes enough for a diagnosis. If not, additional tests are ordered, which usually cannot be scheduled on the same day.

What tests does a cardiologist perform?

A cardiologist performs or orders the following tests:

• ECG
• Blood pressure measurement
• Echocardiography (heart ultrasound)
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• Cardiac catheterization
• Exercise stress test
• Blood tests
• 24-hour monitoring of blood pressure or heart rhythm

Scheduling the tests takes time. Once the results are available, a second appointment is scheduled to discuss them and create a treatment plan.

What treatment does a cardiologist provide?

A cardiologist often treats patients together with another medical specialist, usually an internist.
A treatment may consist of:

• Medication
• Lifestyle changes, often combined with medication

A cardiologist may also perform minor procedures such as angioplasty or catheter ablation. If major surgery is needed, the cardiologist refers the patient to a cardiothoracic surgeon. A cardiologist does not perform surgery but does support the cardiothoracic surgeon during the operation. Cardiologists also support heart transplants.

How can you prepare for your first visit to a cardiologist?

• Read the hospital brochure carefully.
• Write down your symptoms and questions so the cardiologist gets a clearer picture.
• Consider your clothing. ECG electrodes are placed on the upper body, which must be exposed.
• If additional tests have been scheduled, take them into account, especially an exercise test. Wear sports clothing.
• Bring someone with you; two people hear more than one person alone.