Who is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is an expert in understanding the heart and blood vessels' functions. Cardiologists can treat cardiovascular issues and help prevent heart conditions by advising you on the proper diet and exercise to keep your heart healthy. They treat high or low blood pressure, chest pains, problems with heart valves or blood vessels, heart failure, heart attacks, heart disease, irregular heart rhythms (or arrhythmias), etc.
They can diagnose your problem through a CT (computed tomography) scan, exercise stress tests, blood tests, electrocardiograms, or echocardiograms. Depending on the illness, a cardiologist may prescribe medication, a cardiac catheterization, or recommend heart surgery in severe cases.
What is the cardiovascular system, and what are its components?
The cardiovascular system consists of an intricate network of the heart, blood vessels, and the blood that the heart pumps through these vessels. While the heart pumps blood to the body, the blood vessels help this process by delivering and returning blood to and from the heart. This network supplies blood to the various parts of the body, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. Blood enters the heart through the veins and leaves through the arteries. The capillaries are tiny vessels that deliver blood from the arteries to all the body tissues.
The body comprises two blood circulatory systems: the systemic and pulmonary. The systemic circulatory system is the primary blood circulatory system because it delivers blood to the body's tissues, organs, and cells. On the other hand, the pulmonary circulatory system transports blood between the lungs and the heart. This is how oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide exits it.
What does the heart consist of, and how is oxygen pumped into the blood?
The heart has four chambers – each of the two upper chambers is called an atrium, and the two lower chambers are called ventricles. A septum wall separates the ventricles and atria; valves control the blood flow between these chambers. Blood enters the heart from the right atrium or upper right chamber and then passes to the right ventricle or the lower right chamber. The blood then passes through the lungs, where it receives oxygen. The carbon dioxide exits at the same time. The oxygen-rich blood is pumped back to the heart's left atrium or upper left chamber and then to the lower left chamber or ventricle. From here, the aorta or large artery delivers the oxygen-rich blood to the body.
What kind of education and training do cardiologists receive?
Cardiologists undergo rigorous training and exams before they begin practice. After graduation, a student needs to spend four years studying in medical school. After that, it's another three years of residency in a hospital where doctors train specifically in cardiology. They work under experienced cardiologists and learn about general internal medicine.
After that, they undergo three more years of training depending on their chosen specialization. In all, they complete ten years of education and training. They also need to get the proper certification by appearing and clearing a board exam on cardiovascular diseases. The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) conducts the exam.
What are the different kinds of cardiologists?
When we think of cardiologists, we usually picture doctors who manage heart health issues. However, cardiology is a diverse field with multiple subspecialties, each dedicated to addressing specific heart and vascular conditions. The type of cardiologist you see depends on the nature of your heart-related needs and treatments. In the following, we introduce the different kinds of cardiologists and their areas of expertise to help you understand who may be involved in your cardiac care:
- General cardiologists are typically your primary heart specialist. This doctor manages regular heart health checkups, prescribes maintenance medications, and monitors your heart's overall function. General cardiologists diagnose and treat heart conditions through noninvasive methods, such as echocardiograms, stress tests, and blood work, helping identify any need for further specialized care.
- Interventional cardiologists are trained to perform procedures that open blocked arteries and improve blood flow. They conduct angioplasties, stent placements, and treatments for calcified blockages. Interventional cardiologists handle a range of minimally invasive yet essential procedures for treating severe cardiovascular conditions, often restoring blood flow and alleviating symptoms without opening surgery.
- Cardiac electrophysiologist will diagnose and treat conditions if your heart has electrical issues, such as arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats, a cardiac electrophysiologist. These specialists handle rhythm disorders by implanting devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, running diagnostic tests with electrical leads, and using radiofrequency ablation to correct irregular heartbeats. Cardiac electrophysiologists are essential in maintaining the heart's electrical balance, restoring a regular rhythm, and preventing future disturbances.
- Noninvasive cardiologists diagnose and manage heart and vascular issues without performing surgical procedures. They rely on diagnostic tools like echocardiograms, stress tests, and Holter monitors to evaluate heart function. When they identify a potential concern, they may refer patients to invasive or interventional cardiologists for further examination or treatment.
- Invasive cardiologists take heart diagnostics a step further by performing procedures that allow a closer look at the heart's internal structures. They perform cardiac catheterizations, which involve threading a small catheter into the heart to detect blocked arteries or malfunctioning valves. When invasive cardiologists find issues requiring intervention, they refer patients to an interventional cardiologist or a cardiothoracic surgeon for specialized treatment.
- Cardiothoracic surgeons step in when more extensive surgical interventions are necessary. These specialists operate on the heart, lungs, and other structures within the chest. They perform coronary artery bypass grafts, repair or replace heart valves and address thoracic aneurysms. They handle the most complex cardiac surgeries, often working with the patient's other cardiologists to plan the best action.
- Vascular surgeons focus on the broader circulatory system, managing issues in the arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels outside the heart. They treat conditions like peripheral arterial disease, place stents in areas like the abdominal aorta, and eliminate blockages in arteries supplying blood to the brain. Vascular surgeons address circulation problems affecting various body parts, providing a critical link between cardiovascular and vascular health.
What are the different kinds of diseases that a cardiologist can treat?
Cardiologists can treat many heart and vascular disorders. These include myocarditis, congenital conditions (illnesses beginning at birth), blood clots, and atherosclerosis. They can also treat cardiogenic shock, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, problems with the aorta (stenosis, aneurysm), and stroke. Further, heart doctors can treat issues with the arteries, such as peripheral artery disease, renal artery disease, coronary artery disease, and subclavian artery disease.
When should one see a cardiologist?
You should seek an appointment with a cardiologist near you if you experience chest discomfort, high total cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Additionally, if you smoke, plan on starting a new rigorous exercise regime, or have gum disease like swollen gums (which implies heart disease), it may call for a consultation. Women are also said to be most likely to develop heart disease when pregnant or during menopause. So, if a woman has a difficult pregnancy or preeclampsia (high blood pressure), a cardiologist can help detect if there are any severe effects on the heart.
Other reasons to see a cardiologist could be shortness of breath (which could indicate a heart problem) or feeling dizzy or unsteady, which may be caused by unstable blood pressure or heart disease. If you have fainting spells, this could be because of less blood flow to the brain.
Erratic thumping in the chest or feeling the heart "skipping a beat" or beating fast are reasons to visit a cardiologist for a checkup. These symptoms may not be severe, but it is best to let a specialist decide. In such cases, the earlier you visit the cardiologist, the higher your chances of preventing severe consequences.
Additionally, if you feel sudden pressure under the breastbone, sharp chest pain, meager heart rate, or low blood pressure, these are signs that you should see a heart doctor near you as soon as possible.
What should one expect during the first visit to a cardiologist?
A cardiologist may have a private practice or work in a hospital. Like most physicians, a cardiologist will want to know more about your medical background on the first visit. The doctor will ask about your family's medical history since you are at a higher risk if a family member has heart disease.
You must also list your past and current medications. Inform the cardiologist if you suffer from any ailments such as diabetes or blood pressure.
The cardiologist will do a complete physical examination. They will check your blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels and ask whether you exercise or smoke. In addition, the cardiologist will ask about your lifestyle, diet, and other risk factors that can affect the heart. The cardiologist may request diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood tests, electrocardiograms, or a stress test.
After the tests, the cardiologist may recommend a treatment plan, prescribe medication, or advise lifestyle changes. However, they may also recommend surgery if the results suggest serious issues.
What lifestyle changes should you make to improve heart health?
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death all over the world. However, it is essential to note that it is possible to prevent nearly 80% of heart disease and stroke cases by simply making better health choices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established February as American Heart Month to educate people about these conditions in depth. Here are some of the most valuable suggestions to prevent heart disease and stroke:
Exercise recommendations:
- Prepare an exercise plan incorporating aerobic activities, resistance training, and flexibility workouts.
- Aerobic exercises performed for 30 minutes a day are best for boosting cardiovascular fitness. They help improve blood circulation, control blood sugar levels, burn calories, improve cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure—all necessary for lowering your risk of heart disease. The various forms of aerobic exercises include brisk walking, running, cycling, and swimming.
- Resistance training helps form lean muscle mass and reduce fat in the body. Two to three days of strength work spread across the week is good enough. You can work with weights or do bodyweight training.
Diet recommendations:
- Eat more portions of vegetables and fruits every day to get all the vitamins and minerals.
- Opt for healthy fats, including nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocados.
- Consume good protein sources, including low-fat dairy products, eggs, fatty fish, lean meats, legumes, and beans.
- Have whole grains such as whole-wheat flour, brown rice, and steel-cut oats.
- Lower your salt intake.
- Limit sugary desserts, sodas, highly processed foods, packaged meals, and deep-fried foods.
- Control your food portion sizes.
Stress management recommendations:
- Aim to get good quality sleep of 7-9 hours every night. If you have trouble sleeping, try having a sleep routine. Firstly, cut out screen time an hour before bed. Make your sleeping space clean and comfy. Finally, find a positive habit you practice right before sleeping, such as journaling, reading, or stretching.
- Practice relaxation activities every day, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, listening to music, going for a leisure walk, or spending time with your pet.
- Dedicate some time to hobbies you enjoy, such as writing postcards, cooking, gardening, painting, or blogging.
- Spend time with your family and friends regularly.
- Book a consultation with a qualified mental health professional if you are facing immense psychological distress and need help with coping.
- If you smoke or drink alcohol for leisure or to cope with your stress, quit those habits today.
How do you find a good cardiologist near you in Allentown, PA?
Many people wait for a symptom before deciding to see a cardiologist. However, you must visit a cardiologist for regular heart checkups to prevent diseases. To help you do so, Zocdoc connects patients with the right doctor in just a few clicks.
When using the Zocdoc platform, you can enter your symptoms and where you live, for example, "chest pain" and "Allentown," after which Zocdoc will curate a list of the best cardiologists that meet your requirements. Each cardiologist has a unique profile with all the required details, including credentials, certificates, accreditation, affiliations, honors, and verified patient testimonials. You can also review the languages spoken by the cardiologist, what their gender is, and whether they treat children.
Zocdoc also offers a list of insurance companies the cardiologists accept for consultations and treatment. Selecting your insurance plan from the drop-down menu lets you see if the cardiologist near you is in that network. Suppose you prefer to keep your insurance details private from your provider when booking an appointment on Zocdoc. In that case, you will be prompted to either provide your insurance information or indicate that you will be paying out-of-pocket. Certain providers may require insurance information to schedule an appointment. However, if you do not have insurance or choose not to use it, you can effortlessly search for another provider on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related questions, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can book an online appointment during or after office hours at a time convenient to you and the cardiologist or even an in-person consultation. On Zocdoc, booking appointments is quick, cost-free, and secure.
Statistics for heart disease, obesity and high cholesterol in Pennsylvania
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease was responsible for most deaths in Pennsylvania in 2017. The report stated that 32,312 people, which is 23.9% of the population, died from some form of heart disease. During the same year, 67.1% of adults and 14% of high school students were clinically obese in the state. The percentage of obesity was slightly higher than the national average, where 65.3% of adults and 13.9% of high school kids across the US were overweight.
According to America's Health Rankings, 34.8% of adults in Pennsylvania had high cholesterol, marginally lower than the national average (35.7%). The report also stated that men in the state had more elevated cholesterol (35.8%) than women (33.8%).
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
CHRISTUS Health
University of Utah Health
Medical News Today
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Mayo Clinic
American Heart Association[1]
American Heart Association[2]
America's Health Rankings
Heart-Failure.net
