Cardiologist

A cardiologist is a medical specialist who specialises in heart and vascular diseases. This specialty is also called cardiology. Cardiology has several subspecialties.

What does a cardiologist do?

A cardiologist supports, examines and treats people with heart and vascular diseases. Conditions a cardiologist can treat include:

• Enlarged aorta
• Narrowing of the coronary arteries (angina pectoris)
• Inflammation of the heart muscle
• Heart valve problems
• Heart abnormalities
• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Heart rhythm disorders
• Heart muscle diseases
• Arterial disease

Cardiologists often have a subspecialty, such as paediatric cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology.

How do you see a cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a medical specialist and can only be seen with a referral from a GP or another medical specialist. An assistant will ask about your symptoms when making the appointment so you can see the appropriate cardiologist.

What is a first appointment like?

In many hospitals, an assistant first takes an ECG, or electrocardiogram. This takes a few minutes and requires the upper body to be uncovered. The cardiologist then immediately reviews the results.

The cardiologist asks about your symptoms and medical history, including any family conditions. Heart and vascular diseases occur more often in some families than others.

The cardiologist may then arrange further tests. An ECG and consultation may be enough for a diagnosis. If not, additional tests will be requested, which usually cannot be scheduled on the same day.

What tests does a cardiologist perform?

A cardiologist performs or arranges the following tests:

• ECG
• Blood pressure measurement
• Echocardiography (heart ultrasound)
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• Cardiac catheterisation
• Exercise test
• Blood tests
• 24-hour blood pressure or heart rhythm monitoring

Scheduling the tests takes time. Once the results are available, a second appointment is arranged to discuss them and prepare a treatment plan.

What treatment does a cardiologist provide?

A cardiologist often treats patients together with another medical specialist, usually an internal medicine specialist.
A treatment may include:

• Medication
• Lifestyle changes, often combined with medication

A cardiologist can also perform minor procedures such as angioplasty or catheter ablation. If major surgery is needed, they refer you to a cardiothoracic surgeon. A cardiologist does not perform the operation themselves, but supports the cardiothoracic surgeon during it. Cardiologists also support heart transplants.

How can you prepare for your first visit?

• Read the hospital's information leaflet carefully.
• Write down your symptoms and questions so the cardiologist gets a clearer picture.
• Consider your clothing. ECG electrodes are placed on the upper body, which must be uncovered.
• If further tests have been scheduled, take them into account, especially an exercise test. Wear sports clothing.
• Bring someone with you; two people hear more than one.