Cardiology is a branch of medicine that specifically studies disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Doctors who specialize in this science are called cardiologists. So, what are its roles and what diseases can be treated? Check out the explanation below.
Cardiology is the science of diagnosing and treating various diseases related to the heart and blood vessels or cardiovascular, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart defects.
A cardiologist is also known as a heart and blood vessel specialist or a cardiologist.
What Diseases Can a Cardiologist Treat?
A cardiologist is in charge of treating patients with the following conditions:
- angina
- Heart rhythm abnormalities or arrhythmias
- Heart murmur, which is a whooshing sound made by blood churning near or within the heart and can be heard by a doctor using a stethoscope
- Heart attack
- cardiac arrest
- heart valve disease
- Cardiomyopathy or abnormalities in the heart muscle
- Diseases of the blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis, varicose veins, and aortic disorders
- heart tumor
- Coronary artery thrombosis or blockage of heart blood vessels due to blood clots
- High blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol
- Holes in the heart and other forms of congenital heart disease
- Heart failure
Anything Branch of Cardiology?
There are several branches of science that are shaded by heart and blood vessel medicine or cardiology, including:
1. Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical heart and the abnormalities that can occur in it. This branch of cardiology is used to diagnose and prescribe treatment for heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation.
2. Interventional cardiology
This branch of cardiology plays a role in diagnosing and treating problems with the heart, such as damaged or weak blood vessels and narrowed arteries, using a catheter.
Examples of medical procedures included in this branch of science are the installation of pacemakers, atherectomy, thrombectomy, and angioplasty.
3. Cardiology of advanced heart failure and transplant
Cardiology of advanced heart failure and transplantation is a branch of cardiology that focuses on heart failure that is difficult to control using supporting devices, such as electrophysiology and hemodynamics. This branch of cardiology also plays a role in the surgery and evaluation of heart transplant patients.
4. Cardiology of congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease cardiology plays a role in treating pediatric and adult patients who are born with heart defects, such as a ventricular septal defect or atrial septal defect (a hole in the wall of the heart) and aortic stenosis.
5. Noninvasive cardiology
Non-invasive cardiology is a branch of heart and blood vessel medicine that focuses on non-surgical diagnostic methods and the prevention and treatment of heart disease with medications, diet, and lifestyle changes.
6. Nuclear cardiology
Nuclear cardiology is a branch of cardiology that involves high-tech nuclear imaging, such as MRI, CT scan, or other imaging techniques to diagnose heart disease.
Anything Tests Can a Cardiologist Do?
When the patient has complaints of the heart and blood vessels, the cardiologist will perform a physical examination and trace the medical history. The cardiologist may also perform some tests, such as:
- Electrocardiogram or EKG, which is a test to see the heart rhythm and electrical performance of the patient's heart
- Cardiac angiography, which is a test to see the condition of the heart in great detail using X-ray technology and produces high-resolution 3D images, allowing doctors to detect the presence of plaque or calcium deposits in the artery walls
- Echocardiography, which is a test to see the structure and condition of the heart using sound waves
- stress test, which is a test to see how well the heart functions when the patient is exercising or given drugs to increase the work of the heart
- Cardiac imaging, which is a test that uses X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or nuclear imaging to see an image of the heart
When Should You See a Cardiologist?
Don't hesitate to get checked out and consult a cardiologist, if you have any of the following risks or symptoms:
- Family history of heart disease
- Chest pain that is so severe that you can't move
- The amount of blood cholesterol is too high
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Shortness of breath after activity or at rest
- Heart pounding
Most people think of seeing a cardiologist only when they are sick. In fact, routinely checking the health of the heart and blood vessels can help you detect the disease you are suffering from. The sooner symptoms of heart disease are detected, the sooner treatment can be done.
Therefore, do not hesitate to check your heart health regularly to the doctor. In addition, apply a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating a balanced nutritious diet, not smoking, and getting enough rest time so that heart health is maintained.
