Cardiologist Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Your cardiologist can also help to educate you about habits and lifestyle changes that promote a healthier heart, which may include nutrition and exercise counseling.
A cardiologist treats conditions, disorders, and abnormalities that affect the health of your cardiovascular system. Some of the most common conditions a cardiologist treats include:
For a complete list of conditions treated, we recommend contacting your cardiologist.
Cardiologists perform a variety of procedures and surgeries that can help restore functionality to your heart. Some of the main procedures performed by a cardiologist include:
- Cardiac catheterization
- Mycardial biopsy
- Valve replacement surgery
- Heart bypass surgery
- Stents and blood clots
For a complete list of procedures performed, we recommend contacting your cardiologist.
There are many non-life-threatening reasons for you to visit a cardiologist, including heart health education, lifestyle recommendations, and stress relief. Though not every symptom of the heart ends up being serious, it’s important to watch out for the following three:
- Shortness of breath — trouble breathing can be an early warning sign for heart problems.
- Dizziness — feeling light-headed with a spinning sensation can be the result of heart disease or low blood pressure.
- Chest pain — pain in the chest is often a sign of too little oxygen returning to the heart and might be a sign of a heart attack.
Call 911 if you have any of the following symptoms in addition to your chest pain:
- A sudden tightness or pressure in your chest
- Pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back
- Sharp chest pain followed by shortness of breath
- Nausea, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Confusion, excessive sweating, or a pale appearance