Cardiology

Cardiology is the medical specialty concerned with diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, including hypertension, heart failure, heart valve disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Physicians who specialize in cardiology are called cardiologists. Cardiologists provide comprehensive care for cardiovascular diseases, focusing on improving and maintaining heart function.

Cardiovascular diseases are diagnosed using methods such as physical examination and electrocardiography (ECG). Blood tests may also be performed in cardiology departments to rule out suspected conditions and establish an accurate diagnosis. Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery are often confused with one another. While cardiology focuses on the medical treatment of heart diseases and interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, cardiovascular surgery treats certain conditions through surgical procedures. Cardiologists may also be involved in the postoperative care and follow-up of patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery.

What Is Cardiology?

Cardiology is a medical specialty that focuses on diseases of the heart and circulatory system. It aims to diagnose and treat conditions such as heart attacks and cardiac arrhythmias through clinical assessments and advanced medical technologies. Treatment generally includes lifestyle modifications, dietary recommendations, and medication. Although interventional procedures are used to treat cardiovascular diseases, surgical procedures fall within the scope of cardiovascular surgery.

Cardiology services may be provided in hospital outpatient clinics, private practices, and coronary intensive care units. Some hospitals also have dedicated pediatric cardiology departments. Specialized hospitals focusing entirely on cardiovascular care are also available.

Which Diseases Does Cardiology Treat?

Cardiology deals with congenital and acquired diseases affecting the heart and circulatory system. Conditions that impair heart function or disrupt blood circulation fall within this specialty. Some of the diseases treated by cardiologists include:

• Hypertension

• Atherosclerosis

• Heart attacks and related complications

• Blood clotting disorders

• Atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias

• Heart valve disorders

• Endocarditis

• Congenital heart diseases

• Angina pectoris

• Cardiomyopathy

• Aortic stenosis and insufficiency

• Myocardial infarction

• Ischemic heart disease

• Cardiac arrest

• Myocarditis

• Peripheral artery disease

• Stroke

• Cardiac tumors

What Are the Symptoms of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases vary depending on the underlying cause. However, certain symptoms are commonly observed. These may include:

• Chest pain

• Palpitations

• Shortness of breath

• Swelling and edema in the legs

• High blood pressure

• Abnormal heart rate, including a heartbeat that is too fast or too slow

• Dizziness and fainting

• Certain types of leg pain and leg wounds

These symptoms may also occur due to other medical conditions. For an accurate diagnosis, individuals experiencing such symptoms should consult a cardiologist or visit the nearest healthcare facility. Sudden chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting may require emergency medical attention.

How Are Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases involves taking a detailed medical history, performing a physical examination, and using appropriate diagnostic tests and imaging techniques. Commonly used diagnostic tools and procedures in cardiology include:

• Stethoscope: Used to listen to normal and abnormal heart sounds. It is a basic clinical examination tool.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart during each heartbeat.

• Echocardiogram: Uses ultrasound waves to visualize the heart's structure, function, and blood flow.

• Holter monitor: A portable ECG device that records the heart's electrical activity, usually over 24 hours or longer, to identify rhythm abnormalities during daily activities.

• Chest X-ray: Helps assess the effects of heart conditions on the lungs and surrounding structures.

• Exercise stress test: Evaluates heart function during physical activity.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of body tissues, including the heart.

• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE): An ultrasound examination performed using a specialized probe inserted through the mouth into the esophagus to obtain detailed images of the heart.

• Cardiac computed tomography (CT): An imaging technique that may use contrast material to assess the heart's anatomy and detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.

• Nuclear medicine imaging: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy may be used in selected cases to evaluate blood supply to the heart muscle and investigate significant coronary artery disease.

• Coronary angiography: Used to visualize the coronary arteries in detail when other tests suggest possible coronary artery disease.

Nuclear medicine plays an important role in the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases. It can help assess damage caused by disease and evaluate changes in the condition over time.

How Are Cardiovascular Diseases Treated?

The treatment of cardiovascular diseases involves a comprehensive approach. In addition to medication, lifestyle modifications may be necessary. Common treatment approaches include:

• Diet: Cardiovascular diseases may be associated with fluid retention and high blood pressure. Depending on the patient's condition, reducing sodium intake may help manage these problems. Cholesterol levels should also be monitored to support cardiovascular health. Limiting processed meats, fried foods, and other foods high in saturated fats may help manage cholesterol levels. For patients with obesity, an individualized dietary plan can support healthy weight management.

• Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can increase cardiovascular risk. Increasing daily physical activity and taking regular walks may help improve heart health. An exercise routine appropriate to the patient's condition and overall health should be established with guidance from a healthcare professional.

• Lifestyle modifications: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and high stress levels may increase cardiovascular risk. Appropriate measures can be taken to support stress management and reduce harmful habits.

• Medication: Treatment may include medications that lower blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers, as well as anticoagulants and cholesterol-lowering medications. Depending on the condition, a combination of medications may be prescribed.

• Interventional procedures: Procedures may include angioplasty and stent placement to treat narrowed or blocked arteries, catheter-based closure of certain defects in the heart, and pacemaker implantation.

• Surgical intervention: Patients whose coronary artery anatomy is unsuitable for stenting or who have severe heart valve disease requiring surgery may be referred to cardiovascular surgery for procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery?

Cardiologists diagnose cardiovascular diseases, manage medical treatment, and perform certain interventional procedures, such as coronary angioplasty and stent placement. Cardiovascular surgeons perform surgical procedures when an operation is required.

Some interventional procedures performed by cardiologists include:

• Coronary angiography and angioplasty: Coronary angiography visualizes the arteries supplying the heart. When appropriate, balloon angioplasty may be performed to widen narrowed arteries.

• Stent placement: A small tube-like device is inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery to help keep it open and maintain blood flow.

• Cardiac catheterization: A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in which a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is guided through a blood vessel to the heart. It may be used to investigate certain heart valve conditions, structural abnormalities, and other cardiovascular problems.

• Transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure: A ventricular septal defect is an opening between the two lower chambers of the heart. In selected cases, a catheter-based procedure can be used to place a closure device over the defect.

If a cardiologist determines that medical or interventional treatment is insufficient, the patient may be referred to a cardiovascular surgeon. Cardiovascular surgery includes procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve replacement, heart transplantation, and open-heart surgery. Cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons may work together as part of a multidisciplinary team when deciding on the most appropriate treatment.

Which Tests Are Performed in Cardiology?

Various diagnostic tests may be used during a cardiology examination to establish a diagnosis and monitor disease progression. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most frequently performed tests. A chest X-ray may also be requested to assess the effects of a heart condition on the lungs and surrounding structures.

Other tests that may be performed in cardiology include:

• Computed tomography (CT)

• Echocardiography (ECHO)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography

• Exercise stress testing

• Holter ECG monitoring

• Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

What Is Examined During a Cardiology Consultation?

The focus of a cardiology examination depends on the patient's symptoms, medical history, and suspected condition. The physician may assess cholesterol levels, changes in heart rate and rhythm, and signs of plaque buildup in the arteries.

The following questions may be addressed during the consultation:

• Is there a family history of heart disease?

• Has the patient previously experienced heart-related symptoms or undergone heart surgery?

• Do the symptoms occur during physical activity or at rest?

• How would the patient describe the pain and other symptoms?

• How long have the symptoms been present?

• Is the patient taking any medications?

• Does the patient have any other medical conditions?

After reviewing the patient's medical history, the physician may listen to the heart using a stethoscope and request an ECG to assess the heart's rhythm. Depending on the suspected condition, additional tests such as blood tests, echocardiography, X-rays, or CT scans may be required.

Why Does Cardiology Request Blood Tests?

Blood tests may be requested to assess factors that affect cardiovascular health and help diagnose certain heart conditions. Cholesterol levels are important indicators of cardiovascular risk and can be measured through blood testing.

Blood tests may also help identify heart muscle damage, abnormalities in electrolytes that can affect heart rhythm, and certain clotting disorders. In some cases, inflammatory markers and blood glucose levels may also be assessed as part of the patient's cardiovascular risk evaluation.

Can Heart Disease Be Detected Through Blood Tests?

Certain cardiovascular conditions and related complications can be identified or evaluated through blood tests. Troponin levels, for example, can help detect heart muscle damage associated with a heart attack. Coagulation tests may be used to investigate specific clotting disorders, while cholesterol and triglyceride measurements provide information about cardiovascular risk.

However, blood tests alone cannot diagnose every type of heart disease. Results should be interpreted alongside the patient's symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and other diagnostic findings.

The Cardiology Department provides outpatient consultations, echocardiography services, exercise stress testing, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure Holter monitoring, and invasive cardiology procedures, including femoral and radial coronary angiography, angioplasty, and stent placement. The department also provides interventional treatment for peripheral vascular diseases, pacemaker implantation, and comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for cardiovascular conditions.

Hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, adult congenital heart diseases, and heart valve disorders are evaluated and treated using modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. The department also provides preventive care and guidance on cardiovascular risk factors. It works closely with cardiovascular surgery, radiology, and nuclear medicine to support a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Services Offered by Our Cardiology Department

• Echocardiography

• Transesophageal echocardiography

• 3D echocardiography

• Stress echocardiography

• Exercise stress testing

• Cardiac rhythm Holter monitoring

• Ambulatory blood pressure Holter monitoring

• Coronary angiography, including radial access angiography through the wrist

• Percutaneous coronary angioplasty and stent placement

• Digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

• Pacemaker implantation

• Electrophysiology studies and catheter ablation procedures

• Multislice coronary CT angiography, including coronary calcium scoring

• Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

• Inpatient cardiology care, follow-up, and treatment

• Coronary intensive care services