Cardiology relates to the treatment of anything to do with the heart and blood vessels. These are vital to the way that our body functions and any problems with the cardiovascular system need to be diagnosed and treated quickly to ensure they don’t escalate. A cardiology appointment is going to be essential for all of us at some point in our lives, especially as we get older. But when do you need to consider one?
What does a Cardiology Appointment Cover?
Cardiology appointments often relate to either heart disease – which is focused specifically on your heart – or cardiovascular disease, which affects the blood vessels or the heart (or both). During a cardiology appointment you can get various tests to find out if there is any treatment necessary for this part of your body. A Cardiology Appointment may also be used for procedures that relate to the heart and blood vessels, including angioplasty or inserting a pacemaker. For many people a cardiology appointment can be life-saving.
When should you consider a Cardiology Appointment?
If you have any symptoms that could be signs of a problem with the heart or blood vessels then you will likely be referred for a cardiology appointment. Some of the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, high blood pressure, experiencing chest pains or changes in your heart rate or rhythm. If you have previously had a heart attack or experienced heart failure then regular cardiology appointments may be essential for monitoring and maintaining your health.
How does an Appointment Help?
Often, a Cardiology Appointment is necessary for diagnosis or for ongoing treatment. However, you can also book a Cardiology Appointment if you’re looking for support with preventing heart disease too. For example, if you have a family history of heart problems, if you have been a smoker or you have diabetes or high blood pressure, the guidance of a cardiologist can be essential in ensuring that you don’t experience problems with your heart and cardiovascular system further down the line.
What does a Cardiology Appointment Involve?
This will depend on why you’re seeing a cardiologist. But, often, this is about carrying out tests to get a clearer idea of what is going on with your heart and cardiovascular system. For example, a cardiologist could order any of the following tests:
- An ECG to record the electrical activity of the heart.
- An exercise or stress test to highlight changes in heart rhythm when resting or exercising.
- An Echocardiogram, which creates an ultrasound picture of the heart chambers and area around the heart so that it’s possible to see how efficiently the heart is working.
- Cardiac catheterisation to collect data and monitor how the heart is functioning, as well as removing any blockages.
Take Care of Your Heart
A cardiology appointment is essential if you currently have any symptoms that could indicate a problem with your heart and cardiovascular system. It’s a sensible option if you’re looking to monitor your heart health, going forwards. Get in touch today, and we can book your appointment.