Who is a cardiologist, and why would you need one?
A cardiologist is a heart specialist. They specialize in treating heart diseases and ailments and assist in managing patients to the best of their knowledge. Heart doctors treat many heart-related conditions even before they become serious. You should consult a cardiologist to ensure the management of any potential long-term risk factors, such as elevated cholesterol or uncontrolled blood pressure. These specialists oversee both heart disease prevention and treatment of patients.
Heart doctors assist patients before and after treatments, like getting cardiac stenting or angioplasty. Surgery is no longer always necessary to address cardiac issues due to modern medical advancements. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which replaces the heart valve without surgery, is one fantastic example. Also, if you have any of the given below symptoms, you should consult a cardiologist near you:
- A fluttering sensation in your chest (often called heart palpitations)
- Feeling faint quite often
- Breathing difficulty, which is worsening
- Chest discomfort or persistent indigestion
- Swelling of the legs or feet
- Significant weight gain
What is the cardiovascular system, and which diseases are associated with it?
Also commonly referred to as the circulatory system, the cardiovascular system comprises the heart (located in the center of the chest), blood, and blood vessels. Together, this system is responsible for delivering oxygen, hormones, and essential nutrients to the rest of the body. The heart pumps blood 60 to 100 times a minute throughout one's lifetime. In total, the heart circulates nearly 2000 gallons of blood each day. Veins bring blood to your heart, and arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body from the heart.
The arteries and veins together are called the vascular system. Apart from carrying blood, arteries also help to maintain blood pressure and control blood flow. They do so by tightening and loosening their walls. Problems in the cardiovascular system, such as a blockage in the arteries, make it harder to deliver oxygen. These blockages ultimately lead to cardiovascular conditions such as:
- Atherosclerosis: It occurs when plaque deposited in the arteries hardens and narrows them over time. Plaque build-up can cause the artery to rupture and form a blood clot. This may lead to either a heart attack or a stroke. Plaque build-up usually occurs due to high cholesterol (LDL), smoking, and high blood pressure.
- Cardiomyopathy: It is an illness that affects the heart muscle or myocardium. In this condition, the heart muscle can thicken, become stiff or enlarged, and lead to the formation of scar tissue. It restricts the heart from pumping blood effectively and leads to heart failure. A person in the early stages of cardiomyopathy may not experience any symptoms. Still, as the disease progresses, symptoms such as swelling in the legs, heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath may appear.
- Arrhythmia: It refers to an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm. Arrhythmias can be broadly classified into three types: supraventricular (which begins in the heart's upper chamber), ventricular (that starts in the heart's lower chambers), and bradyarrhythmia (slow heart rhythm caused by an issue in the heart's conduction system). Pounding in the chest, palpitations, chest tightness, and dizziness indicate an irregular heartbeat. Some arrhythmias can be fatal.
- Infective endocarditis (IE): IE is a potentially life-threatening condition usually resulting from a bacterial infection. It occurs due to an inflammation in the linings of your heart valves and, sometimes, your heart chambers. Its symptoms include high fever (above 100°F or 38.4°C), skin rash, wounds that do not heal, night sweats, and nasal congestion.
- Angina pectoris: Also known as angina, this condition is a form of chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to your heart. The pain typically feels like a heavy weight or a squeezing and tightness in your chest. The different types of angina are variant, refractory, stable, and unstable, the last being a medical emergency.
- Cardiogenic shock: Cardiogenic shock occurs when your heart cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body. Since lack of oxygen can cause organ failure, this condition can be fatal. A cardiogenic shock has five stages: at risk (heart disease without any signs of shock), beginning (low heart rate or blood pressure), classic (need for external medical support to help supply blood to organs), deteriorating (worsening of the condition and no response to treatment), and extremis (cardiac arrest that requires ventilator or defibrillator).
- Heart valve diseases: Your heart has four valves, and heart valve disease is any condition that interferes with their functioning. These conditions are initially asymptomatic but can lead to weakness, shortness of breath, and palpitations over time. The various types of heart valve disease include valvular insufficiency, valvular atresia, and valvular stenosis.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): PAD occurs due to plaque build-up in your leg arteries that carry nutrient-rich blood to your limbs from your heart. Its symptoms include cool skin on your feet, skin redness or color changes, toe or foot sores that do not heal easily, and a burning or aching sensation in your feet and toes when you rest.
What are heart attacks, and what are their warning signs?
The heart muscles need oxygen to survive. A heart attack happens when oxygenated blood to the heart is disrupted or stopped. This stoppage happens when the coronary arteries (vessels that supply the heart) narrow due to atherosclerotic plaque (cholesterol aggregates) or blood clots that develop around the plaque. Significant blood flow disruption leads to ischaemic damage to the heart muscles, manifesting as a heart attack.
Plaque rupture and coronary heart disease may not always cause heart attacks. Some are precipitated by the spasms of a coronary vessel, which further impairs blood circulation of the heart, leading to a heart attack. Torn coronary artery walls can also potentially result in a heart attack, known as spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
In terms of presentation, heart attacks come on suddenly and severely. But the majority begin gradually, with only minor pain or discomfort initially. You must stay careful and contact a cardiologist near you if you are facing one or more of these symptoms:
- Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks are characterized by pain in the right or the middle of the chest. It can be persistent or may come and go. It may feel painful, like a squeezing sensation or uncomfortable pressure.
- Discomfort radiating to other body parts: Pain or discomfort in either one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach are additional symptoms.
- Breathlessness: This can happen with or without chest pain, usually accompanied by sweating and palpitations.
- Added indicators: Other indications of a heart attack include nausea or lightheadedness.
How are cardiac arrest and heart attack different?
Heart attacks happen when there is an issue in the cardiac circulation and the blood flow to the heart is compromised. When the heart malfunctions and abruptly stops pumping, that is a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The cause of sudden cardiac arrest is malfunctioning of the electrical activity of cardiac muscles. Heart attack-related cardiac arrest is also possible. Sudden cardiac arrest can often lead to sudden cardiac death or SCD. This phenomenon may be brought on by arrhythmias, which are abnormal cardiac rhythms.
How do cardiologists check for heart problems?
It is crucial to visit a cardiologist or your primary care physician to understand your risk for cardiovascular disease and get timely prevention. They may conduct a heart health screening as a part of your routine physical at their office. Such screenings also take place at drugstores, health fairs, laboratories, community clinics, and other facilities.
The following tests help to diagnose or assess your risk for cardiovascular diseases:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): This quick and painless test records the electrical signals of the heart and checks for any irregularities or abnormalities in the heart rhythm. During the procedure, a healthcare provider will attach 12 patches called electrodes to your chest, arms, and legs, which are then connected to wires leading to a computer. The computer displays the waves of electrical activity that pass through the heart.
Abnormal results may indicate issues such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), blockages in the arteries, or evidence of a previous heart attack. If you are experiencing symptoms like the reduced ability to exercise, chest pain, fast pulse, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath, you may need an ECG test.
- Stress test: This test involves running and walking on a treadmill. It may also involve riding a stationary bike for some time. This makes the heart pump harder and faster and helps to reveal how the heart responds to physical activity. Your cardiologist will simultaneously check your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing on a monitor (EKG machine).
If you can't exercise or have a condition that prevents you from exercising on a treadmill or bike, your doctor may give you medicine through an IV that makes the heart work harder as exercise does. In addition to diagnosing heart problems, the test may also be done before heart surgery or to monitor an existing heart condition.
- CT coronary angiogram: This imaging test views how the arteries supply blood to the heart. It looks for the build-up of plaque and other substances in the walls of your arteries. A CT angiogram is usually done if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease and other heart problems. This procedure is minimally invasive.
During a CT coronary angiogram, a cardiologist will place an IV containing contrast dye into the arm. This dye will help your vessels show better. This procedure is different from an invasive coronary angiogram, where a tube called a catheter is inserted through the groin or wrist to reach the heart arteries.
Risk factors and treatment of a heart attack
Certain risk factors of heart disease, such as age and family history, are unchangeable. Obstructive sleep apnea is another risk factor for heart disease, which must be identified in time and monitored. However, you can change and reduce your risk through specific lifestyle changes, such as:
- Avoid smoking.
- Reduce cholesterol consumption and keep levels in check.
- Avoid obesity with regular exercise and activity.
- Keep a tab on your sugar levels if you have diabetes or are prediabetic.
- Avoid food with saturated and trans fats.
- Reduce excessive alcohol consumption.
In case of a recent heart attack, heart doctors might suggest specific interventions (surgery or nonsurgical). In addition to providing pain relief, these procedures can lessen the risk of having another heart attack. Common approaches to treatment include:
- Stent: It is a wire mesh tube implanted into the artery to keep it patent.
- Angioplasty: An angioplasty releases a clogged artery using a balloon or eliminating plaque build-up.
- Heart bypass surgery: The doctor reroutes the blood flow around the blockage caused by a clot or plaque.
- Heart valve surgery: To assist the heart in pumping, surgeons replace or repair leaky valves.
- Pacemaker: It is a battery-operated device implanted in the chest that aids in maintaining the normal electrical functioning of the heart.
- Heart transplant: Recommended in cases where a heart attack results in irreversible cardiac tissue death.
- Oral medication: Your doctor may recommend several drugs to avoid a future heart attack. Always take your medicines as prescribed unless your physician or cardiologist instructs you otherwise.
Find the best cardiologist near you in Astoria, New York
The entire body depends on the heart for blood flow and oxygen. You should prioritize both your heart health and general well-being. By contacting Zocdoc, you can find the best cardiologist suited to your needs.
To begin your search with Zocdoc, enter your symptoms in the search bar, such as "recurrent chest pain," and include the location "Astoria, New York." The website will then present you with a comprehensive list of the best cardiologists in your area. You can also include location, gender, spoken languages, hospital affiliations, and experience in the search criteria.
You can also locate in-network cardiologists by applying specific filters. To find your plan, select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can try uploading a photo of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account. Then, allow Zocdoc to scan the image of your insurance card and show you a plan that best matches your card. Note that this option is available only for medical insurance cards, not dental or vision. If you need other insurance information, you can check out Zocdoc's patient help center. You may also reach out to Zocdoc's service team if you need help with uploading your insurance card.
Click on the practitioner's profile to view their credentials, accreditations, licensing, and reviews. Check out patient reviews and ratings to discover more about each cardiologist. After vetting the doctors on your shortlist, you can schedule an appointment. Additionally, many doctors in our database provide after-hours and online consultations. Decide a time that best works for you and the doctor.
All reservations with Zocdoc are safe, fast, and free!
Heart attack statistics of New York
As per the data released by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2020, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) accounted for roughly 32% of all fatalities in New York State (NYS). They were the leading cause of death and impairment. Lifestyle changes and other measures can prevent nearly 80% of heart disease and stroke. In NYS, over 1,118,000 adults (7.3%) reported having experienced a heart attack, angina/CHD, or stroke.
The study also reported that adults with disabilities had a higher prevalence of CVDs (17.7%) than adults without disabilities (4.4%). Also, adults with diabetes or high blood pressure have a higher risk of having a heart attack, angina, or CHD than people with obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated February as American Heart Month to stress the importance of heart health. This initiative aims to educate the public about heart disease and stroke.
According to a different BRFSS 2020 survey, nearly 4.5 million adults in New York State (NYS) reported having high blood pressure (HBP) diagnosed by a medical professional (29.3%). Almost 78% of the above group individuals were on medication to manage their HBP. These key statistics depict the prevalence of CVDs in the population and the need to control them effectively.
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