What is cardiology?
The word "cardiology" comes from the Greek words 'cardio' (heart) and 'logy' (study), thus translating to "the study of the heart. "The heart, blood vessels, and arteries are part of the cardiovascular system. Cardiology, a subspecialty of internal medicine, focuses on cardiovascular disorders, including congenital heart defects and heart diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores the significance of heart health by designating February as American Heart Month. This initiative is aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about heart disease and stroke, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures for maintaining cardiovascular well-being.
Who is a cardiologist?
Cardiologists are heart doctors in charge of curing patients with various cardiac conditions. Their job is to perform diagnostic procedures like angioplasties while interpreting the results. Compared to invasive operations like chest and heart surgery, cardiac surgeons conduct non-invasive procedures like angioplasty and stenting.
Cardiologists have expertise in diagnosing and treating heart problems and disorders and helping patients manage these conditions. They may also use blood tests, cardiac stress tests, echocardiography or electrocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques to diagnose cardiovascular problems.
What does a cardiologist do?
Cardiologists train to identify, prevent, and treat cardiovascular diseases (heart and blood vessel issues) such as:
- Asphyxiation or heart attack
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Rhythmic disturbances (abnormalities of heart rhythm)
- Problems with the heart valves
- Myocardial infections
On your first visit to a cardiologist near you, they might check your physical health levels with the help of physical tests like ECG. They then detect and analyze the test results to determine the cause and prescribe medication accordingly. They would also educate and advise patients to adjust their eating and exercise habits to improve their health and well-being.
Cardiologists also perform life-saving procedures like installing a pacemaker or performing operations such as cardiac catheterization. Many cardiologists also may lecture at universities and conduct research that leads to new treatments and diagnostic methods for heart disease.
What is the educational background of a cardiologist?
After graduating from high school, for cardiologists, training begins with four years of an undergraduate degree, accompanied by two-three years of the residency program.
Aspirants must complete a three-year residency training program to become board-certified heart doctors (cardiologists). Cardiologists in the United States complete a lengthy residency program that typically lasts nine to ten years. Once their specialization is complete, cardiologists must take the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) cardiovascular disease certification exam to practice their trade in the country.
Different types of cardiologists
There are three broad categories of cardiologists - invasive, non-invasive, and interventional. Invasive cardiology is where open surgery or minimally-invasive procedures treat problems with the heart structure. Examples include angioplasty and stenting.
In non-invasive cardiology, diagnosing heart problems without inserting foreign objects into the body, such as fluids, needles, or other instruments, is possible. Examples of non-invasive tests include echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, heart monitors, stress tests, CT scans, and cardiac electrophysiology.
Interventional cardiology is a non-surgical method where a catheter repairs parts of the heart structure, including narrowed arteries and damaged or weakened blood vessels. This technique can treat peripheral, heart valve, and coronary artery disease.
Besides cardiologists specializing in these three areas, there are also clinical cardiologists, preventive cardiologists, cardio oncologists, and cardiac surgeons. Geriatric heart doctors specialize in heart problems in older adults, while a sports cardiologist treats sportspersons.
What are some tests cardiologists perform?
A cardiologist near you employs a range of diagnostic tests to comprehensively assess heart health based on specific symptoms. Each test serves a distinct purpose, providing valuable insights into various aspects of cardiac function. Here's a closer look at some commonly used diagnostic tools:
1. Chest X-ray: The chest X-ray, or chest radiograph, is a non-invasive test that produces images of the heart, lungs, and bones. It proves valuable in evaluating symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties, and chronic cough. This diagnostic method aids in identifying conditions like congestive heart failure and ribcage injuries.
2. Exercise stress test: This test evaluates how well the heart pumps blood during physical activities. By replicating symptoms such as chest discomfort and shortness of breath, patients undergo activities like using the treadmill for walking or riding a stationary bicycle. The results help cardiologists detect issues related to heart muscles and valves.
3. Adenosine stress test: In situations where traditional exercise stress tests may not be feasible, an adenosine stress test is employed. This test assesses blood flow in the heart, ensuring it receives adequate blood during activity compared to rest. As per their healthcare provider's advice, individuals with specific medical conditions or limitations, such as those with ventricular pacemakers or those on certain medications, may need to undergo this test.
4. Cardiac catheterization: Cardiac catheterization is an invasive imaging procedure where catheters are inserted into a blood vessel in the groin or arm, navigating to the coronary arteries. This detailed assessment allows cardiologists to identify the root cause of heart pain or abnormal heartbeats, assess pulmonary artery health, open artery blockages, and evaluate overall heart muscle functioning.
By being familiar with these tests and their specific roles, individuals can collaborate effectively with their cardiologists to choose the most suitable and personalized treatment plan for their cardiac health.
Does COVID-19 make you vulnerable to heart problems?
We all know that COVID-19 can cause long-term issues with the lungs and the respiratory system. Now, there are studies indicating that COVID-19 can have an impact on the heart. This impact could be temporary or permanent depending on factors such as your age or existing health disorders.
After a COVID-19 infection, heart problems can occur due to the lack of oxygen in the body. When you get the infection, the virus sometimes restricts the flow of oxygen to the bloodstream, causing your heart to work overtime. This excess blood pumping can be dangerous for people with a pre-existing heart condition. It can cause cell death and tissue damage in the heart and other organs.
The COVID-19 virus can infect the heart tissue, causing myocarditis or inflammation of the heart like other viral infections. Cardiomyopathy could occur when the heart's ability to pump blood gets adversely impacted.
If you have a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or any other chest discomfort post-covid, you should get it checked by a cardiologist near you.
When should you visit a cardiologist near you?
Several non-threatening issues can induce chest pain, too, like heartburn or injury. However, getting medical attention for any chest discomfort is essential to rule out heart-related problems, especially for high-risk patients and those with other medical or lifestyle issues. You are prone to heart disease if:
1) You are a frequent smoker - smoking destroys the artery walls, causing plaque and potentially dangerous blockages in the blood vessels.
2) You have hypertension or high blood pressure - the force exerted by blood pumping through arteries is blood pressure. The paths might get damaged or narrowed if they experience high pressures for an extended period.
3) You have diabetes - Diabetes can elevate the risk of various health problems such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and obesity, all of which negatively impact the heart. Additionally, elevated blood glucose levels have the potential to damage nerves that regulate the heart and other blood vessels.
4) Your cholesterol levels are too high - both healthy and harmful cholesterol is made in the body (HDL and LDL). Very high or low levels of LDL or HDL might hurt arterial and cardiovascular health.
5) You have a family history of heart diseases - recent studies show that cardiovascular illnesses and the likelihood of contracting them increase if you have a family history of heart disorders. In addition, diabetes and high blood pressure, counted among the two top risk factors for heart disease, are genetic.
6) You have preeclampsia - Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication wherein the pregnant mother experiences elevated blood pressure. This condition increases heart failure risk by four times that of post-menopausal women.
7) You have gum disease - inflammation is a clear indication of gum disease and is associated with a significant increase in risk to the heart. Periodontitis (severe gum infection) can lead to the growth of potentially dangerous germs. Other body parts can get inflamed when this bacteria enters the bloodstream.
8) You experience leg/foot pain or swelling - Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can cause significant leg pain. Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease face a higher risk of amputation and disability than those without. Ankle and foot swelling can lead to venous insufficiency and varicose veins, disrupting circulation in the veins. This issue might result in painful leg ulcers or blood clots.
What are some rare cardiovascular diseases?
Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death worldwide, impacting millions each year. While many know about common conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias, there are several rare cardiovascular diseases that are less recognized.
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs. If untreated, it can cause heart failure, and it’s often misdiagnosed as asthma or other respiratory issues, which can delay the right treatment.
- Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a genetic disorder causing very high levels of LDL cholesterol from birth. This severe form of familial hypercholesterolemia can lead to early heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes.
- Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is another rare condition where amyloid, a protein, builds up in the heart muscle, causing it to thicken and stiffen, which can result in heart failure. Diagnosing ATTR-CM is challenging, but early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
- Hereditary Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease that thickens heart muscles, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently. It can lead to cardiac death and is a leading cause of heart-related deaths among young people.
- Although these rare cardiovascular diseases affect fewer people, they can significantly hamper the quality of life and, together, place a substantial burden on healthcare systems, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts in addressing them.
Finding a cardiologist near you in Indianapolis, IN
Finding the top-rated cardiologist is a challenging task. But don't fret; Zocdoc has you covered. It is a platform that directly links patients with healthcare providers without the inconvenience of extended hospital wait times.
Zocdoc's website is an excellent solution for people seeking an online or in-person appointment with a doctor in Indianapolis, Indiana. Zocdoc has a selection of top-rated specialists in the area. These results can be filtered out based on the time of the day, gender, spoken languages, pediatric care, and hospital affiliation, among other variables.
Using the information provided by Zocdoc, you can choose heart doctors based on their medical education, training, and certifications. In addition to the information they provide about themselves, you may read actual patient testimonials. The top of the page has a drop-down option where you can select your insurance plan, and the results will automatically list in-network providers. You can add your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.
However, when searching for and booking an appointment, you can only use one insurance plan at a time. If you have more than one plan, you can mention your secondary insurance provider and plan in the notes for the provider during the final booking step.
If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you’ll also have the option to add your secondary insurance while completing those forms online. For more information about insurance, you can check out Zocdoc's insurance page.
You can also check patient reviews and ratings to choose the best cardiologist near you.
All bookings with Zocdoc are simple, secure, and cost-free!
Statistics on cardiology in Indiana
The American Heart Association's research shows that at least 48% of American adults have cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of death in one out of every four Americans. Every 37 seconds, someone dies because of cardiovascular problems.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows that cities like Indianapolis contributed heavily to Indiana's nerve-racking record of 14,445 deaths due to heart disease. The state of Indiana harbors:
- Approximately 21% of frequently smoking adults
- Nearly 68% of obese individuals
- About 5.1% of people who have had an attack or stroke
- Around 4.8% of people with angina or coronary heart disease.
Sources
Northwestern Medicine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MedicineNet
The Texas Heart Institute
CardioSmart
Florida Medical Clinic
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
World Heart Federation
