Who is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a heart doctor who focuses on disorders or illnesses of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels. They are qualified to evaluate and diagnose various cardiac diseases and devise individualized treatment plans.
Heart diseases are quite prevalent in America, and it is essential to visit a cardiologist yearly to screen for cardiac disorders beforehand. These specialists can manage heart attacks, heart valve disorders, fatal arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. They work in various settings like hospitals, private clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
What is the difference between a cardiologist and a pulmonologist?
The main difference between cardiologists and pulmonologists is the area in which they hold their expertise.
Cardiologists concentrate on the heart and blood vessels. A cardiologist will help patients in the prevention and management of conditions related to the heart, such as atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and much more.
Pulmonologists, on the other hand, focus on treating conditions related to the lungs. They can also address different areas of the respiratory system, like the nose, throat, trachea, and airways. Pulmonologists mostly manage conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, bronchitis, emphysema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and other lung diseases.
Even though cardiologists and pulmonologists focus on different body systems, their routines look very similar.
They both can work solely within a private practice, at a medical group, or at multiple hospital systems. Neither type of specialist ever has a monotonous life. Life as a cardiologist or pulmonologist can be rigorous, as they both require a lot of travel and constant attentiveness.
The schedules for both specialists depend majorly on the problems that their patients are facing. Their timings may begin with standard business hours, which could extend or change when there's an emergency that needs attention. Due to this, hours for both pulmonologists and cardiologists are never fixed and occasionally include evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Most of the time, cardiologists and pulmonologists collaborate in diagnosing and treating patients. Conditions of the heart and lungs are often overlapping with each other. Moreover, the conditions affecting the heart can link up to the lungs and vice versa.
What is invasive cardiology?
Heart doctors use minimally invasive surgery or open heart to assess or treat structural or electrical abnormalities of the heart. This approach to treatment is known as invasive cardiology. The common types of invasive cardiology procedures are:
- Angioplasty- Blood flow to the heart may be restricted when a plaque or blood clot clogs the arteries. Arterial plaque is a soft film that comprises cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other substrates in the blood. This blood flow restriction leads to decreased pumping by the cardiac muscle and oxygen consumption, eventually leading to chest pain (angina pectoralis). Angioplasty is a medical procedure that involves inserting a tiny balloon into the clogged vein to reverse this blockage and allow for a smooth and undisturbed blood flow. The heart returns to normal functioning through this method.
- Stenting- Angioplasty may be performed jointly with stenting. A cardiac stent, a tiny metal coil or tube, holds a clogged vein permanently open. Your doctor may recommend undergoing both these procedures concurrently based on your condition.
What is non-invasive cardiology?
As the name suggests, non-invasive treatments identify heart problems without inserting needles, fluids, or other instruments. Non-invasive cardiology techniques are:
- CT scans- They generate images of the heart that the doctor uses to determine whether you have a structural heart condition or plaque build-up in the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis.
- Cardiac electrophysiology study- This technique studies the electric currents that generate a heartbeat and can be used to evaluate the irregularities in the heart's rhythm and devise a treatment.
- Heart monitors- These are also called Holter monitors or cardiac event records. Wearing these heart monitors can help cardiologists monitor cardiac activity throughout the day. They are like tape recorders for the heart's electrical activity.
- Echocardiography- Ultrasound waves generate images of the heart and its structures. Heart doctors use this to observe and monitor the heart structures, capacity for pumping blood, functioning, and abnormalities.
- Nuclear cardiology- Your doctor may sometimes use non-invasive study of cardiovascular disorders through radioactive elements. These images enable cardiologists to view the dimensions of the heart and determine the problem.
- Stress tests- In this test, the heart's activity is monitored via leads attached to the chest while walking or running on a treadmill. When you exercise more, the heart will function under stress, allowing the doctor to gain valuable insight into your cardiac function.
What is interventional cardiology?
Interventional cardiology is often confused with invasive cardiology. On the contrary, interventional cardiology is a non-surgical procedure where a small, flexible tube called a catheter is used to repair the damaged vessels, arteries, or other weakened parts of the cardiovascular system. Conditions treated by interventional cardiology are:
- Coronary artery disease- In this disorder, the arteries are narrowed, negatively affecting the blood and oxygen supply throughout the cardiac chamber.
- Heart valve disease- Valves control the blood flow in the heart chambers, but if these valves are not functioning correctly, the person may develop heart valve problems. Examples of this include mitral stenosis, tricuspid atresia, etc.
- Peripheral vascular disease- Also known as Buerger's disease, the blood vessels in the peripheral circulation become narrow. This condition is usually seen in chronic smokers as nicotine leads to spasming of blood vessels.
What are the tell-tale signs of a cardiac problem?
Some common signs of cardiac issues that everyone should look out for are:
- Pain or uneasiness in the chest: A feeling of discomfort, pain, heaviness, 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 a few minutes. If it persists, seek immediate emergency care.
- Heartburn, nausea, or stomach pain: Patients 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 rapid drop in blood pressure may 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 before or 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 suddenly begins sweating excessively, it could hint at a cardiovascular issue.
- A coughing fit: Coughing up 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.
What to expect at your appointment with a cardiologist?
During your appointment, the cardiologist will discuss your symptoms and medical history. They will also enquire about your family history, as many cardiac conditions are hereditary. Additionally, they may also ask questions related to your lifestyle and habits. An honest conversation with your doctor is essential to help them better understand your condition.
After taking a detailed history, cardiologists conduct a physical exam to assess the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It may include examining vitals, like blood pressure and pulse, and screening for heart murmurs. They then suggest medical tests like electrocardiogram (EKG), 2D echo, and various blood tests to evaluate your condition better.
In terms of treatment, cardiologists may use one or a combination of procedures. They are invasive, non-invasive, and interventional procedures. They may also prescribe drugs and advise lifestyle modifications, including changes in diet, physical activity, and stress-relieving practices.
Lifestyle changes for a healthy heart
No matter what your age, there is always time to start embracing a heart-healthy lifestyle. Making heart-healthy life choices at a younger age will help you reap the benefits for a longer period of time. But even those who already suffer from heart disease can adopt a healthy lifestyle and make a difference in their heart health.
While you can always visit a cardiologist near you for heart health screenings, there are some practices you can include in your everyday routine to keep your heart healthy and functioning:
- Get moving: Increasing your 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 gradually. Walking, climbing stairs, doing chores around the house, walking your pets, and gardening can contribute to your overall exercise time. 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. You may also do 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week. These can be combined and spread throughout the week. You should also add moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening exercises (for example, resistance or weight training) twice a week. One can benefit even more by being active for 300 minutes (or 5 hours) weekly.
- Include heart-healthy foods in your daily diet: Well-balanced meals are vital to maintaining heart health. A heart-healthy diet should include a combination of fruits, vegetables, lean meat or fish, whole grains, and fats like olive oil and canola oil. Limiting the consumption of foods like salt or sodium, sugary beverages, and food high in saturated or trans fat is necessary to lower cholesterol and blood sugar, which ultimately contribute to heart disease.
- Quit smoking or using tobacco products: Chemicals in tobacco products can damage the blood vessels. Smoke from cigarettes 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. Even secondhand exposure to smoke can be harmful to the body. If you quit today, your risk of cardiovascular disease may begin to drop in as little as a day. Within a year of quitting smoking, your risk of heart disease will reduce to half of that of a smoker.
- Manage stress: Stress has been shown to play a role in high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Heart health has also been closely linked to mental health and vice versa. 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 metabolic disease and heart disease over a long period of time. Relaxation techniques, meditation, and listening to music can help manage stress.
How to look for the best cardiologist near you in Teaneck, New Jersey?
The health of your heart is essential for overall well-being and quality of life. Scheduling regular consultations with a cardiologist can make a vast difference in maintaining long-term health. Besides regular check-ups, if you are experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or dizziness, a cardiologist is the right medical professional to visit.
Visit Zocdoc and register a free account to access a database with your area's best cardiology healthcare providers. Furthermore, you can use the advanced algorithm to look for a specialist based on your symptoms. In the search box, type "dizziness," "body pain," or a location, such as "Teaneck, New Jersey," to find a curated list of cardiologists. Further, you can also search based on the available date and time.
If you are looking for an in-network cardiologist, you can do so by entering your insurance plan and carrier from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can try uploading a photo of your insurance card to the Zocdoc website. Then, Zocdoc will 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.
After an appointment, patients fill in reviews. You can look at all the verified reviews and ratings of the specialist to help you make an informed decision. Moreover, every doctor has a unique profile that lists their academic qualification, medical expertise, languages they speak, and so on. After shortlisting the doctors, you can seamlessly book an appointment.
Finding the best cardiologist near you using Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Statistics on cardiologists in New Jersey
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 805,000 people in the country have a heart attack yearly. Of these, 605,000 are first heart attacks, while 200,000 happen to people who have already had one in the past. Additionally, in 2019, the leading cause of death in the country was heart disease.
The CDC also reports that in 2017, nearly 18,840 people in New Jersey died from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death in the state too. The death rate due to heart disorders was about 162.3 deaths per 100,000 population.
In an analysis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in 2022, America had about 16,870 cardiologists employed. New Jersey was the third state with the highest employment rate of cardiologists, as the number of employees is over 1,690.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Florida Medical Clinic
Peconic Bay Medical Center
America's Health Rankings
New Jersey State Health Assessment Data
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Memorial Hermann Foundation
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Physicians Alliance of Connecticut
familydoctor.org
American Heart Association[1]
American Heart Association[2]
Healthline
World Health Organization
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
