Who is a cardiologist?
An expert in diseases of the heart and blood vessels is known as a cardiologist. They specialize in preventive care and the treatment of cardiovascular problems. It takes at least ten years of training to qualify as a cardiologist. The training includes four years of medical school followed by three years of residency training in internal medicine and an additional three years of specialization in cardiology. A cardiologist must be board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
A cardiologist can treat heart failure, high blood pressure, and chest pain. They can also diagnose problems with blood vessels and heart valves besides handling other vascular issues. They can prescribe medication and recommend tests. Tests may include electrocardiograms, computed tomography (CT) scans, and echocardiograms.
What are the types of cardiology?
Cardiology has three types - invasive, non-invasive, and interventional. In invasive cardiology, open surgery or minimally invasive procedures treat problems with the heart structure. Angioplasty and stenting are examples of invasive cardiology.
As the name implies, non-invasive cardiology diagnoses heart problems without inserting foreign objects into the body. Here, foreign objects refer to fluids, needles, and other instruments. Some non-invasive techniques used by cardiologists are echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, heart monitors, stress tests, CT scans, and cardiac electrophysiology. The results from these procedures help doctors diagnose disorders and determine treatment.
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.
Are there different types of cardiologists?
Apart from cardiologists specializing in the cardiology types mentioned above, there are other specialists like clinical cardiologists, cardio oncologists, preventive cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons.
- Clinical cardiologists help diagnose, treat, and manage heart diseases. They often work with other physicians and even surgeons to provide you with the necessary care.
- Cardio-oncologists work with cancer patients who may be at risk of heart disease or already suffer from heart ailments.
- A preventive cardiologist is a medical practitioner who can help identify heart disease and create a customized plan to minimize risk.
- Cardiac surgeons step in when you need a coronary artery bypass, valve replacement, or heart transplant.
- A geriatric cardiologist specializes in heart problems in older adults, while a sports cardiologist treats sportspersons.
How do you determine which heart specialist you need?
If you have a cardiac condition or your personal or family history puts you at risk for one, you may need to see a cardiologist near you at some point in your life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also highlighted the importance of heart health, as they have established February as American Heart Month to educate the public about heart disease and stroke.
When required, your general cardiologist can refer you to specialty cardiologists, such as surgeons or cardiac imaging specialists. Here is how you can determine if you need to see the following types of heart specialists.
- When do you need a general adult cardiologist?
You experience symptoms associated with heart disease, like shortness of breath, fainting, a fluttering sensation in the chest, or chest discomfort. Alternatively, you may be worried about a risk factor like high cholesterol, a history of smoking, or a family history of heart disease, even if you don't have any symptoms. To assess the health and function of the heart, general adult cardiologists conduct physical examinations, order blood work, and order various tests, such as stress tests, echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and cardiac MRIs. They can advise you on treatments and medications, as well as help you in changing your lifestyle.
- When do you need an electrophysiologist?
You have arrhythmias, which are irregularities of the cardiac rhythm that cause excessively fast or slow heartbeat sequences. You may experience symptoms like weakness or dizziness if your heart beats irregularly travel through the heart. In the context of heart disease, arrhythmias are electrical irregularities that can happen in hearts that are otherwise perfectly normal. They may impact patients of any age. An electrophysiologist can diagnose and treat arrhythmias. Since certain arrhythmias pose an elevated risk of stroke or have the potential to be fatal, treating an irregular cardiac rhythm can be crucial.
- When do you need a cardiac rehabilitation specialist?
If you have a cardiovascular condition, such as a heart attack, or have undergone heart surgery, you will need to see a cardiac rehabilitation specialist. The cardiac rehabilitation process has been found to improve recovery and reduce the risk of a second heart attack or surgery. It is recommended if you have experienced chronic angina, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, or valve and coronary artery disease. Cardiac rehabilitation specialists offer a medically supervised, tailored program that combines education and exercise to restore cardiovascular health.
What does a cardiologist do on the first appointment?
Cardiologists will ask questions about your medical history, perform physical examinations, and discuss any symptoms you are experiencing. Be sure to tell them how long you have been experiencing these symptoms. The specialist will likely check your weight, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol. They will want to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with heart problems, as it increases your risk of catching heart disease.
Does Covid-19 increase the chances of heart problems?
After recovery from COVID-19, it is easy to fall prey to the misconception that the long-term effects occur in the lungs and the respiratory system. An article published by Johns Hopkins Medicine states that study after study has indicated that COVID-19 affects the heart, too. The effects could be temporary or permanent depending on factors such as the person's age and the severity of COVID-19. Any other health conditions that might have existed before contracting COVID-19 will also come into play here.
Heart problems can occur after COVID-19 due to a lack of oxygen. When you get COVID, the virus can restrict oxygen flow to the bloodstream, leading the heart to work more to pump blood. This overactivity can be dangerous if you have 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, leading to myocarditis or inflammation of the heart like other viral infections. The body's immune system response can also damage the heart or cause inflammation. Another possible outcome is cardiomyopathy, where 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 visit a cardiologist near you.
How to take care of your cardiac health?
Here are five key tips for a heart-healthy lifestyle:
- Choose healthy fats, not trans fats - While we need healthy fats in our diet, such as saturated and unsaturated fats, trans fats should be avoided. Trans fats increase heart disease and stroke risk by raising LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowering HDL (good cholesterol). Trans fats are usually found in packaged baked goods, snacks, margarine, and fried fast foods.
- Practice good dental hygiene - Dental health reflects overall well-being, including heart health. Those with gum disease often share similar risk factors with heart disease. Bacteria from gum disease in your oral cavity can enter your bloodstream and increase C-reactive protein levels, a marker for inflammation, potentially raising heart disease and stroke risk.
- Prioritize sleep - Good sleep is essential for heart health. Insufficient sleep can double the risk of heart attacks or strokes, as it disrupts blood pressure and inflammation regulation. Studies show that those who get less than six hours of sleep per night have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular issues.
- Limit sitting time - Sitting for long periods can harm heart health, even if you exercise regularly. Prolonged sitting has been associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular concerns and related mortality. It can also cause deep vein thrombosis, especially when traveling.
- Avoid secondhand smoke - Exposing your lungs to secondhand smoke increases heart disease risk by 25-30%. For those with high blood pressure or cholesterol, secondhand smoke further raises heart disease risk due to its artery-clogging chemicals.
By following these tips, you’re taking proactive steps for a stronger heart and a more active, heart-healthy lifestyle.
Locate an experienced cardiologist near you in San Diego, CA
You should not ignore heart problems; seeking a medical opinion is the best way to resolve these. The trend of increasing incidences of heart disease and resultant deaths is concerning and makes it essential to seek a cardiologist's opinion at the earliest. If you are hesitant to seek a medical opinion because you aren't sure which doctor to approach, we have the solution for you.
With Zocdoc, you can search the vast database of medical practitioners nationwide to find the best cardiologist in San Diego. The platform provides easy-to-use location, specialty, and insurance coverage filters. Enter the details and get a list of cardiologists near you who meet your requirements.
If your insurance plan isn’t listed on Zocdoc, you have the option to upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image to identify your likely plan (please note that this feature is only available for medical insurance, not dental or vision). If you encounter any issues uploading the card image, feel free to reach out to Zocdoc’s service team, who are ready to assist you with any questions or help you may need. You can also visit Zocdoc's patient help center for other insurance-related queries.
You can then click on each profile and check their credentials, experience, and educational qualifications. You can filter it according to board certification, gender, affiliations, specialty, location, and language fluency.
The individual profiles also have patient reviews that can give you a better picture of whether the doctor is what you want. When zeroed in on the best choice, schedule an in-person or virtual appointment on weekdays, weekends, and even after 5 pm, depending on the doctor's availability.
Zocdoc also helps you know which practitioners accept your insurance plan. All bookings made on Zocdoc are safe, free, and secure!
Statistics on heart diseases in San Diego, CA
Heart disease is the nation's and California's most prominent cause of death, according to a study from the CDC/National Center for Health Statistics. The national average is 209.6 per 100,000 population, and the state average is 147.8. For San Diego County, the figure was 102 per 100,000 and the second leading cause of death, with cancer topping the list.
The Community Health Assessment 2019–2021 stated that the local government adopted the 3-4-50 strategy to halt the rise of chronic illnesses. The plan focuses on three behaviors that drive four diseases that cause more than half of all county's mortality.
The four illnesses are cancer, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disorders. The three activities that cause these illnesses include poor diet, leading to obesity, physical inactivity, and cigarette, alcohol, and drug use. According to the same report, San Diego's adult population in 2015 had a heart disease diagnosis in 8.8% of cases.
Heart failure accounted for 300 per 100,000 of preventable hospitalizations in the county. The figure for California was 317.7.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Florida Medical Clinic
Johns Hopkins Medicine
County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Yale Medicine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
PubMed Central
Mayo Clinic[1]
American College of Cardiology
Mayo Clinic[2]
