A cardiologist's profession is extremely important in today's world due to the huge prevalence of heart disease globally. The treatment of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, is the specialty of cardiologists.
Many heart health-related conditions are treated by cardiologists before they worsen. For instance, you may visit a cardiologist to ensure that you're managing any potential long-term risk factors, like high blood pressure or cholesterol, especially if there is a strong family history of the condition. In addition, if you already have a diagnosis of heart disease, you can schedule routine follow-up exams to make sure everything is in working order or to create a plan for treatment in the event of a heart attack or other new diagnosis. Cardiologists also provide pre- and post-procedural care to patients undergoing procedures like stent implantation for blocked arteries. However, modern heart-care has come a long way.
Who is a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders pertaining to the heart and blood vessels, which include heart rhythm problems, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarctions, myocardial infarctions, and associated conditions. More than seven - ten years of medical school are required for the demanding training required to become a cardiologist. Cardiologists need to study medicine for an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree for a period of five years at a medical college. After that a medical graduate can earn 3 year's Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Cardiology degree from a PG medical college.What is the Role of a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a medical professional who treats heart valve problems, blood vessel problems, and other heart and vascular conditions in addition to treating chest pain, high blood pressure, and heart failure. To determine what's wrong, they can order tests such as computed tomography (CT), echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms. Using their diagnosis, they can prescribe medication, advise you on how to begin exercising and eating more healthfully, or perform a cardiac catheterization.A cardiologist will examine you physically and talk with you about your symptoms, past medical conditions, and family history. Knowing if other members of your family have experienced cardiac issues is crucial because it may raise your own risk of developing a heart condition. Your cardiologist may obtain important details about your cardiovascular health from your certain health parameters, such as:
- Weight
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood pressure
- Blood glucose levels
Types of Cardiologists
Cardiologists can specialize their knowledge even further, even though they are all experts in the heart and blood vessels. Following are the types of cardiologists:- Clinical cardiologist
- Interventional cardiologist
- Heart failure specialist
- Cardio-oncologist
- Cardiac imaging specialist
- Congenital heart specialist
- Preventive cardiologist
- Peripheral interventional cardiologist
- Cardiac rehabilitation specialist
- Geriatric cardiologist
- Electrophysiologist
- Sports cardiologist
- Cardio-rheumatologist
- Critical care cardiologist
What Diseases a Cardiologist Treats?
- Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Angina (chest pain)
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Blood clots
- Heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation Endocarditis
- Cardiogenic shock
- Heart valve problems
- Heart abnormalities
- Cardiomyopathy
- Myocarditis
- Congenital (from birth) conditions
- Problems with your aorta such as aneurysm, stenosis
- Peripheral artery disease
- Subclavian artery disease
- Renal artery disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
What Tests Does a Cardiologist Prescribe?
- Cardiac catheterization
- Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Chest X-ray
- Coronary angiogram
- Cardiac CT (computed tomography)
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Stress tests
- Echocardiogram
- Holter monitor
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
- Event monitor
- Implantable event recorder/implantable loop recorder
When to Consult a Cardiologist?
- A sensation of rapid heartbeat (often referred to as heart palpitations)
- Having the feeling of fainting
- Breathing difficulty that is getting worse
- Uncomfortable feeling in the chest or persistently bad indigestion.
- Legs that swell
- Appreciable increase in weight
Following are some well-known cardiologists in Mumbai:
1. Dr. (Prof) Vijay Bang
2. Dr. Ramakanta Panda
3. Dr. Ashwin B Mehta
4. Dr. S. A. Merchant
5. Dr. Lekha Pathak
Conclusion
If there's something wrong with your heart or blood vessels, you might need to see a cardiologist. Depending on your circumstances, you might require a particular kind of cardiologist who specializes in your ailment. A cardiologist is someone your primary care physician can recommend, but you must feel at ease with the choice they made. You might need to look for other specialists if you think they don't communicate effectively with you. If you want the best solution for your heart issues, then consult expert cardiologists at Asian Heart Institute. Book your consultation now.FAQs
Q1: Which doctor treats heart disorders?A: Cardiologists, also known as heart specialists, identify and manage conditions pertaining to the heart and blood vessels. They have received training in reading electrocardiograms, assessing cardiac health parameters, etc.
Q2: Can a cardiologist do surgeries?
A: Cardiologists can perform certain specialized procedures, but they cannot perform surgeries. Stents, for example, can be implanted by an interventional cardiologist to open clogged arteries. Furthermore, advanced devices can be implanted by cardiologists into the heart of a patient suffering from certain heart disorders.
Q3: Who is the top cardiologist surgeon in India?
A: The world-renowned and top cardiac surgeon in India, Dr. Ramakanta Panda.
Q4: What steps should I take after my 12th grade to become a cardiologist?
A: To be admitted to a medical college for an MBBS programme, a student must pass the NEET exam after completing the 12th grade with a medical science background. Following MBBS, you must pursue a super-specialization in cardiology and then finish a post-graduate programme in internal medicine.
Q5: What is a cardiologist?
A: cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases related to the heart and blood vessels.
Q6: Is a cardiologist the same as a heart doctor?
A: Yes. A cardiologist is commonly known as a heart doctor, as they focus on heart health and cardiovascular diseases.
Q7: What does a cardiologist do?
A: A cardiologist diagnoses heart conditions, recommends lifestyle changes, prescribes medicines, and performs certain procedures like angiography and angioplasty.
Q8: When should I visit a cardiologist?
A: You should see a cardiologist if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or a family history of heart disease.
Q9: What qualifications are required to become a cardiologist?
A: In India, a cardiologist completes an MBBS, then MD in General Medicine, followed by a DM or DNB in Cardiology.
