WHO IS A CARDIOLOGIST?
A Cardiologist, also known as Heart Doctor, Heart Physician, Heart Specialist, is a specialized type of doctor who specializes in finding, treating, and preventing diseases that affect the heart, the arteries, and the veins. They research, diagnose and treat conditions such as blockages, heart injuries, and diseases, and keep their eye on other factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. When a patient is referred to a cardiologist, they will be looked at for any risk factors that could possibly be damaging the heart, such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, poor eating habits, or a family history of heart disease.
WHAT DOES A CARDIOLOGIST DO?
A patient is typically referred to a cardiologist because a potential issue was detected by their primary doctor. The cardiologist will sit with the new patient and go over their medical history, check their current physical condition, listen to their heart for any irregularities, and talk about any relevant symptoms. They will also perform a series of tests for a more precise diagnosis, like EKG's, x-rays, stress tests, biopsies, and blood tests. After the test results come back, the cardiologist can then diagnose any abnormalities, congenital heart defects, or heart and coronary artery conditions that they find. Many of these conditions are then treated with medication, diet, and/or specific procedures.
There are several types of cardiologists, each specializing in a different area of heart treatment (note that some cardiologists may do a combination of things listed below):
Non-invasive Cardiologists: They will examine patients, do cardiology consultations, order and interpret tests (stress tests or electrocardiograms). They will decide the best way to treat patients, either with medication, lifestyle changes or a combination of both. They also refer patients to a cardiac surgeon if necessary.
Interventional Cardiologists: They treat patients who are dealing with coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and peripheral vascular disease. They do angioplasty and stent placements, embolic protection, atherectomy procedures, and mitral valve repairs.
Non-interventional Cardiologists: They will perform same tests and exams as a non- invasive cardiologist, but can also perform minor operations, such as a cardiac catheterization (a procedure that locates blocked arteries). If a blockage is found, the patient will be referred to an interventional cardiologist.
Electrophysiology Cardiologists: Also, called heart-rhythm specialists, they will place pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization devices under the skin for sensing, pacing and shock delivery. They will also do ablation procedures to treat heart rhythm disorders, as well as administer necessary medication.
It is good to note that there are other doctors who specialize in heart issues, such as cardio-thoracic surgeons, but who are not considered cardiologists. Cardio-thoracic surgeons operate on patients referred to them by cardiologists, and have completed a surgical residency program, not an internal medicine residency like a cardiologist. They perform complex surgeries, such as heart bypasses and transplants.
WHY KIMS?
KIMS provides a full complement of the most cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment options. In fact, our team of best cardiology doctors in Hyderabad regularly performs some of the most advanced treatments for Cardiovascular disease utilizing the latest technology.
Being the best cardiac specialist hospital in Hyderabad, we have an integrated team that applies the latest prevention, diagnosis and treatment advancements while providing the highest quality of care and service possible.
Our collaborative care model combines all heart and vascular services, ensuring each patient has access to the most state-of- the-art medical and surgical procedures. This team, which combines all kinds of heart doctors and top heart specialists in Hyderabad, ensures that patients are given treatment options that is designed for each patient, given his or her specific cardiovascular diagnosis.