Who is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a healthcare expert who specializes in the comprehensive diagnoses and treatment of the conditions of the heart and blood vessels, referred to as the cardiovascular system.
After completing four years of medical school, aspiring cardiologists must spend three years learning internal medicine during their residency program and undergo an additional three years of specialized training.
After ten years of training, cardiologists must appear for the certification exam held by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Even after being board-certified, cardiologists continue learning for as long as they practice. They must remain current with the latest advancements in their field to provide the best care to their patients.
What does a cardiologist do?
A cardiologist is a medical physician who treats chest pain, heart failure, high blood pressure, as well as issues with the heart valves and blood vessels. They order tests like CT scans, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms to determine the problem's cause. After reaching a diagnosis, they plan the most suitable treatment plan for you, which includes prescribing medications, lifestyle changes, or ordering a cardiac catheterization.
During a cardiology visit, the expert will perform a physical evaluation and discuss your signs, symptoms, and medical and family history. Providing basic details about yourself can help the cardiologist with essential information about your cardiovascular condition, such as blood glucose (sugar) levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight.
The cardiologist will assess all the provided information and test results to help determine the risk factors for your heart problems. They will also require details on if you smoke, how frequently you exercise, what you eat, and which medicines you may be currently on.
Types of cardiologists
The study of cardiovascular diseases and their respective treatment is a vast subject. Hence, specialists within this domain have expertise in treating specific Cardiovascular Disorders (CVD).
- Non-invasive cardiologists: Non-invasive cardiologists, the most common cardiac specialists, diagnose and treat heart and vascular anomalies. To analyze your condition, these doctors may advise non-invasive tests such as echocardiograms, stress tests, etc. Based on the test results, they may prescribe remedial medications or refer you to an invasive or interventional cardiologist.
- Invasive cardiologist: Once referred to an invasive cardiologist, you should be prepared to undergo cardiac catheterization to evaluate the conditions of your heart valves. If the reports reveal any arterial blockage, you might be referred to an interventional cardiologist or a cardiothoracic surgeon.
- Interventional cardiologist: An interventional cardiologist is a surgical expert who can perform an angioplasty or stent placement. He can also clean up calcified blockages from your arteries and perform other invasive tests to see if you need further surgical procedures.
- Cardiothoracic surgeon: Cardiothoracic surgeons are experts in open-heart or other invasive surgical procedures on the lungs and thorax. They train to perform heart-valve replacement or repair techniques, bypass surgeries, etc., required to address your heart-related conditions.
- Vascular surgeon: Vascular surgeons treat peripheral arterial disease, place stents in abdominal aortic aneurysms, open arteries to prevent strokes, and clear up other clogged blood vessels. They specialize in handling cardiac and vascular issues outside the chest.
- Electrophysiologist: You may need to see an electrophysiologist if you have irregular heartbeats, such as abnormal heart rhythms, fibrillation, palpitations, etc. An electrophysiologist may run various tests by inserting electrical leads in the heart, placing defibrillators and pacemakers, and using radio waves to restore regular heartbeats.
Tell-tale signs of cardiac problems
Cardiac problems often have signs that patients can keep an eye out for. If you experience the following symptoms, visit an emergency department or a cardiologist near you immediately:
- Pain or uneasiness in the chest: A feeling of heaviness, pain, or pressure in the chest is usually a signal for serious heart issues, like an attack or failure. The pain may trigger suddenly and last longer than just a few minutes. If it persists, seek immediate emergency care.
- Heartburn, nausea, or stomach pain: Patients tend to complain about these symptoms during a heart attack. Some may even vomit.
- Shooting pain in the arm: A common sign of a heart attack is a painful sensation that grips the left side of your body, especially in your arm.
- Dizziness: A sudden drop in blood pressure might also initiate a feeling of lightheadedness. However, if the dizziness is accompanied by chest pain or breathlessness, it could mean something more critical and heart-related.
- Pain in the jaw or throat: Though not a very common sign, throat or jaw pain could result from chest pain during a heart attack.
- Fatigue or lack of energy: Cardiac diseases make you feel exhausted even after light, mundane physical activities.
- Sleep apnea: If you choke or gasp for air while sleeping, you may need your cardiologist to put you on a sleep study to assess the situation. You might need a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to ease your breathing problem.
- Excessive sweating: Some people may sweat more than others. However, if someone sweats excessively, it could hint at a cardiovascular issue.
- A coughing fit: A persistent cough, producing white or pink mucus, could indicate heart failure. This condition requires urgent medical attention.
- Swollen legs, feet, or ankle: Heart valve diseases or other cardiac conditions can cause swelling of your legs and ankles. Heart failure can also impact the effective functioning of your kidney. Extra sodium and water in the body can cause bloating of veins.
- Irregular heartbeat: Recurring heart rate irregularities may signify that you are suffering from atrial fibrillation.
When should one visit a preventive cardiologist?
Consulting a preventive cardiologist near you can safeguard you from serious health hazards. While anybody can visit a preventive cardiologist, the following group can significantly benefit from such consultation.
- People with a history of heart disease in their families may be born with genetic conditions that increase their risk of cardiovascular diseases. Screening tests such as coronary artery calcium scans can give an insight into their medical condition.
- Preventive cardiologists often consult pediatric cardiac specialists to ensure that children with symptomatic conditions get appropriate treatment from a young age.
- People suffering from heart anomalies in their 30s or 40s are susceptible to aggravated issues as they age. To prevent heart failure or heart attacks, they need regular monitoring. Their children should also see a preventive care specialist to assess whether they have any genetic disorders.
- The genetic condition called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) can cause mutations leading to high cholesterol and a heart attack at an early age. Preventive cardiologists will implement advanced cholesterol treatment to protect you from heart attacks or sudden cardiac arrest.
- People with pre-existing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking habits, and a sedentary lifestyle are generally prone to heart diseases.
How do cardiologists diagnose heart problems?
Cardiovascular disease can often develop silently, meaning you may not experience any symptoms until any severe event (e.g., a heart attack or cardiac) arrest, occurs. This is why it is important to visit a cardiologist or your primary care physician to understand your risk of cardiovascular disease and implement preventive measures. Heart health screenings may be conducted as part of routine physical exams at your doctor’s office or at drugstores, health fairs, laboratories, community clinics, and other locations.
A cardiologist or primary care doctor may order the following tests to diagnose or assess your risk of cardiovascular diseases:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): This quick, painless test records the heart’s electrical activity to check for abnormalities in the heartbeat. During the test, a nurse or doctor places 12 patches on your chest, arms, and legs, connected to wires leading to a computer. The computer displays waves or signals passing through the heart, and any irregularities can indicate arrhythmias, arterial blockages, or evidence of a past heart attack.
- Stress test: This test measures how the heart responds to physical activity. It typically involves walking or running on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike to make the heart work harder. If you cannot exercise due to a medical condition, your doctor may administer medication that simulates the effect of exercise on the heart. During the test, the doctor monitors the heart using an ECG to check for signs of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
- CT coronary angiogram: This imaging test examines how well the arteries supply blood to the heart and identifies plaque buildup or other substances in the artery walls. A CT angiogram is minimally invasive and involves placing an IV with contrast dye into the arm for enhancing the visibility of blood vessels. It is often used when symptoms of coronary artery disease or other heart issues are present. This procedure differs from an invasive coronary angiogram, wherein a catheter is inserted via the groin or wrist to reach the heart arteries.
- Blood pressure test and blood tests: High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels (indicating diabetes) can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Your cardiologist may order these tests as part of a comprehensive heart health checkup to assess your risk and suggest lifestyle modifications.
- Echocardiogram: This non-invasive imaging test provides a real-time view of the heart in motion and shows how blood flows through the heart valves. It can help identify whether a heart valve is narrowed or leaking.
Five lifestyle changes that promote a healthy heart
Incorporating changes in your lifestyle, such as more physical activity and well-balanced meals, can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Making healthier life choices at a younger age will help you reap the long-term benefits. In addition, even those already suffering from heart disease can adopt productive habits to improve their heart health.
Here are some ways to keep your heart healthy and functioning:
- Keep moving: Besides weight loss, increased physical activity can significantly improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and other lipids associated with the risk of heart disease. Even those who are physically inactive can gradually start incorporating simple exercises like walking, climbing stairs, doing chores around the house, and walking their pets. Furthermore, being physically fit can also help you feel, think, and sleep better.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults complete at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise (moderate-intensity) each week. Additionally, 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week is also advisable. Adding moderate-to-high-intensity muscle-strengthening exercises (for example, resistance or weight training) is recommended twice a week. One can benefit even more by being active for 300 minutes (or 5 hours) weekly.
- Quit smoking and using tobacco products: Smoking is one of the top contributing factors to cardiovascular disease. Even secondhand exposure to smoke can be harmful to the body. Chemicals in tobacco products damage the heart and blood vessels, and cigarette smoke lowers the oxygen in the blood. This increases blood pressure and heart rate because the heart needs to work harder to supply oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body. You will begin to experience benefits as soon as you stop smoking, regardless of how long or how much you smoked. The risk of heart disease is around half of that of smokers after a year of quitting.
- Limit or avoid alcohol: While you may drink alcohol occasionally or in moderation, limiting alcohol or avoiding it can increase your chances of achieving good heart health. Heavy or excessive consumption of alcohol can contribute to heart failure, stroke, and cardiomyopathy.
- Include heart-healthy foods in your daily diet: Well-balanced meals are vital to maintaining heart health. A healthy diet does not mean completely avoiding foods you enjoy but limiting consumption of foods like salt or sodium, sugary beverages, and food high in saturated and trans fat. Fruits, vegetables, lean meat or fish, whole grains, and fats like olive oil can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
- Manage stress: Stress may contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Mental health could also play a role in heart health. The long-term effects of mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may begin to physically affect the body and lead to increased cardiac reactivity (for example, increased heart rate), heightened levels of cortisol, and decreased blood flow to the heart. These effects may lead to calcium buildup in the arteries, metabolic disease, and heart disease over time. Relaxation, meditation, and enjoying simple activities you like, such as listening to music, can help manage stress.
Find a top-rated cardiologist near you in Atlanta, GA
A healthy heart is central to overall wellness as it is vital for the proper functioning of the entire body. In fact, to emphasize the importance of health and educate people about heart disease and stroke, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established February as American Heart Month. Whether you already have a heart problem or are at risk, you must see the most suitable type of cardiologist for your specific problem. Usually, your physician or preventive cardiologist will recommend the ideal expert to consult based on your medical condition and preliminary test reports.
However, with the top-rated heart doctors listed on Zocdoc, you can research and book your appointment without waiting for any suggestions. Each doctor has a profile containing all you need to know about them, including qualifications, accreditations, awards, and verified patient reviews. Check the profiles to find the cardiologist that best fits your requirements.
You may also filter your search to find specialists in Atlanta, GA, that accept your insurance. You can either select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu or upload a photo of your insurance card on the Zocdoc website. Then, allow Zocdoc to scan the image of your insurance card and show you a plan that best matches your card. Note that this service 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.
If you wish to see specifications about the doctor, such as gender, languages spoken, hospital affiliations, or whether they treat children, Zocdoc can also help you there. These advanced filters can help you get the best-suited care for you.
All Zocdoc bookings are safe, secure, and accessible.
Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Georgia
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global killer, accounting for about 18.6 million deaths in 2019. About 805,000 people in the US population have a heart attack yearly.
Based on the American Heart Association data, CVD accounted for nearly 868,662 deaths in the US in 2017. In 2018, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) was the leading cause (42.1%) of deaths in the country, followed by stroke (17.0%), high blood pressure (11.0%), and heart failure (9.6%).
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, 9.2% of Georgia's adult population was diagnosed with heart conditions such as angina, coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Furthermore, heart disease was reported as the leading cause of death in Georgia during the same year, with a mortality rate of 195.2.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, cardiovascular diseases account for more than 20,000 casualties annually. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that heart diseases, chronic lower respiratory, and stroke together account for approximately 27000 deaths yearly in Georgia.
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