Cardiology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of diseases related to the heart and vascular system. This branch of medicine specializes in the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment options for cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiologists use a range of tests and imaging techniques to diagnose heart disease, including electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, stress tests and angiography. Cardiology includes the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions such as heart attacks, heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart valve disease.
Cardiologists usually recommend treatments such as lifestyle changes, medications and, if necessary, surgery to maintain cardiovascular health. Therefore, cardiology is a branch of medicine focused on both preventive medicine and the treatment of diseases.
Who is a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in cardiology. These doctors specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiologists have a broad knowledge of heart diseases and can apply various diagnostic and treatment methods.
To become a cardiologist, specialty training is required after graduating from medical school. This specialized training is usually intensive in cardiology and focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. Doctors who complete specialty training are then recognized as cardiologists and can take on a variety of roles in the field, including patient care, research and education.
Interventional Cardiology
Interventional cardiology is a subspecialty that includes invasive procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Doctors working in this field are called interventional cardiologists. Interventional cardiologists play an important role in the treatment of vascular blockages, especially coronary artery disease.
Interventional cardiologists gain access to the heart and blood vessels through minimally invasive techniques such as catheterization. These techniques often include procedures such as angiography or angioplasty. An angiography is an X-ray imaging examination to identify blockages in the blood vessels. Angioplasty is a procedure that uses a balloon catheter to widen the narrowing of blocked arteries. During this procedure, a metal tube called a stent may be inserted, which keeps the vessel open.
Interventional cardiologists can perform a range of complex procedures such as heart attack treatment, angioplasty, stent placement, intervention on heart valves, treatment of heart rhythm disorders and other similar procedures. This specialty plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health and offers effective treatments to improve patients' quality of life.
What diseases does cardiology deal with?
Cardiology deals with many diseases and conditions related to the heart and vascular system. Some of these diseases are as follows:
Coronary Artery Disease: This is a disease caused by blockage or narrowing of the heart vessels. This can often lead to a heart attack.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Blood pressure is higher than normal. Long-term hypertension can lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Heart Failure: A condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood. It can be left or right heart failure.
Heart Rhythm Disorders: When the heart deviates from its normal rhythm or beats irregularly. Examples include atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation and bradycardia.
Heart Valve Diseases: Conditions caused by narrowing (stenosis) or failure (insufficiency) of the heart valves.
Congenital Heart Diseases: Abnormalities or defects of the heart that you are born with. This can include abnormal development or structural problems of the heart chambers or vessels.
Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, the tissue that surrounds the heart.
Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle.
Aneurysm: An enlargement or ballooning of the vessel wall. Aortic aneurysm is the most common.
Thrombosis and embolism: Clots that form in the blood vessels or heart chambers, thrombosis, and their breakdown and transportation to other places (embolism).
Cardiologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of such diseases and try to improve the health of patients by using various diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
Symptoms of Cardiology Diseases
Symptoms of cardiology diseases can vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. In general, however, symptoms of cardiology diseases may include
Chest Pain or Tightness: This is a symptom that can occur especially during exercise or at rest. It can be a symptom of serious conditions such as a heart attack.
Shortness of Breath: Even light exercise can cause shortness of breath. This symptom is often associated with heart failure or pulmonary diseases.
Fatigue and weakness: A constant feeling of tiredness can often be a symptom of conditions such as heart failure or valvular heart disease.
Edema: This can manifest as an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ankles, legs or abdomen. It is associated with conditions such as heart failure.
Heart Rhythm Disorders: Symptoms may include heart palpitations, irregular heartbeats or slow heartbeats.
Dizziness and fainting: Can be caused by low blood pressure or heart rhythm disturbances.
Sweating: Sudden episodes of sweating in particular can be a sign of an emergency, such as a heart attack.
Nausea or vomiting: Especially during a heart attack or in cases of heart failure.
Back Pain: It can occur as a sign of a heart attack, especially in women.
These symptoms may not be the same for everyone, and symptoms can often vary depending on the type of disease, the person's age, gender and health status. Therefore, it is important to see a cardiologist or health care professional whenever any worrying symptoms are felt.
What Tests Does Cardiology Perform?
Cardiologists perform various tests to diagnose heart and vascular diseases. These tests can vary depending on the type of disease, symptoms and severity. Here are some diagnostic tests that cardiologists commonly use:
Electrocardiography (ECG or ECG): A test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It helps to identify conditions such as heart rhythm and rhythm disturbances.
Echocardiography (ECHO): A test that creates ultrasound images of the heart. The movements of the heart chambers, heart muscle and valves are examined. It is used to evaluate conditions such as heart failure, valve diseases, heart wall movement disorders.
Exercise Test (Stress Test): A test that evaluates how the heart reacts during exercise. It is used to detect problems such as narrowing or blockage of the heart vessels.
Holter Monitoring: A test in which the heart rhythm is recorded continuously for 24-48 hours. It helps to identify heart rhythm disturbances, palpitations or other symptoms.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: A test in which blood pressure is recorded continuously for 24 hours. It is used to diagnose hypertension and evaluate treatment responses.
Coronary Angiography: A test in which X-ray images of the heart vessels are taken. It is used to detect blockages or narrowing of the heart vessels.
Electrophysiologic Tests: Specialized tests used to determine the cause of heart rhythm disorders. Techniques such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrophysiologic mapping are used.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT): These are imaging techniques used to obtain detailed images of the heart and blood vessels. They are especially used to evaluate the structure of the heart muscle and blood vessels in detail.
Which of these tests will be performed is determined by the cardiologist depending on the patient's symptoms, medical history and examination findings.
Diagnostic Methods Used in Heart Diseases
There are various diagnostic methods used to diagnose heart disease. These methods vary depending on the type, symptoms and severity of the disease. Here are some of the diagnostic methods commonly used to diagnose heart disease:
Electrocardiography (ECG or ECG): A basic diagnostic test used to assess heart rhythm. It measures the electrical activity of the heart muscle and can detect rhythm disturbances.
Echocardiography (ECHO): A test that evaluates the structure and function of the heart chambers, heart muscle and valves by creating ultrasound images of the heart.
Exercise Test (Stress Test): Used to assess how the heart reacts during exercise. It is especially important for diagnosing conditions such as coronary artery disease.
Holter Monitoring: A test in which the heart rhythm is recorded continuously for 24-48 hours. It is used to detect heart rhythm disturbances or palpitations.
Coronary Angiography: A test in which X-ray images of the heart vessels are taken. It is considered the gold standard for detecting coronary artery disease or blockages.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A high-resolution imaging technique that provides detailed images of the heart and blood vessels. It is used to evaluate the heart muscle, valves, vessels and other structures.
Computed Tomography (CT): An imaging technique that creates three-dimensional images of the heart and blood vessels. It is used to evaluate conditions such as coronary artery disease and aortic aneurysm.
Electrophysiologic Tests: These are special tests used to determine the cause of heart rhythm disorders. Techniques such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrophysiologic mapping are used.
These diagnostic methods are selected and performed by cardiologists based on the patient's symptoms, medical history and examination findings. A combination of multiple tests is often necessary in the diagnostic process.
Risk Factors and Prevention Methods in Coronary Heart Disease
Smoking and Alcohol Cessation: Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is important for heart health.
Healthy Diet: A balanced and low-fat diet is important for maintaining a healthy body weight.
Regular Exercise: Physical activity supports heart health and reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Control: High blood pressure and high cholesterol should be treated and kept under control.
Regular Checkups: Regular health check-ups can help detect the risk of heart disease early.
Stress Management: It is important to reduce stress by using stress coping techniques.
Medication: Regular use of medications recommended by a doctor can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and maintain heart health.
These measures can help reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and are important to maintain heart health. It is important to see a cardiologist when there are any signs of heart disease or risk factors.
