As the center of your circulatory system, your heart is responsible for pumping blood through your body. Your blood then carries the oxygen and nutrients that your organs need to function properly. This is why it is important to take care of your heart. And if you are not feeling good about it or are worried about something unusual, you should consider seeing a heart doctor. You should never take any risks when it comes to your heart.
Any type of pain or discomfort in your heart can be an indication of a condition or a more serious problem. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, it’s time to make an appointment with a cardiologist.
But what does a cardiologist do? Is he or she a heart surgeon doctor? Get to know more about this heart doctor and know the reasons when to see one.
What is a cardiologist, and what does he/she do?
A cardiologist is a heart doctor who specializes in treating heart diseases and educating patients for better heart health. These heart conditions or diseases include coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, heart rhythms, high blood pressure, and valve problems.
Moreover, a cardiologist gives physical exams to make a diagnosis. These may include ambulatory ECG, blood tests, cardiac catheterization, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, exercise tests, nuclear cardiology, and stress tests.
When to see a cardiologist?
There are many signs and symptoms of having a heart problem that might lead you to visit a heart doctor. You should see a cardiologist if you experience the following:
Heart/chest pain. Chest or heart pain is one of the most obvious indications of a heart problem. It happens when your heart does not get enough oxygen. A cardiologist can help determine the cause of your pain and provide an appropriate treatment plan.
High blood pressure or hypertension. If your blood pressure has been consistently high, it is important to manage it and get it under control with the help of a cardiologist. Doing so can help reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Diabetes. Diabetes can affect your heart health as high blood sugar damages blood vessels over time. A cardiologist can work with your physician to manage diabetes and help determine the right treatment that can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease or keep it from getting worse.
Other symptoms that you should not ignore are shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, and high cholesterol.
Do you need surgery?
A cardiologist works with a heart surgeon doctor to determine whether you need heart surgery in Singapore. This is because not all heart-related problems require surgery. Sometimes, they can be managed and treated with medications, nonsurgical procedures, and lifestyle changes. Thus, a cardiologist first evaluates and treats heart conditions without having surgery.
But once determined that surgery is required, a cardiothoracic surgeon will then do this crucial job. He will manage you immediately after the surgery and can ask for help from your cardiologist if needed. And once you start recovering at home and have been released from the care of your heart surgeon doctor, your cardiologist will monitor you over the long term and ensure your successful recovery.
