Cardiology is the branch of medicine that studies the heart and blood vessels: their structure, functions, diseases, causes of their development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. A cardiologist manages precisely this range of conditions, and patients are referred to them for examination and to clarify the diagnosis. Below is what their work involves, what examinations exist, and when a routine consultation stops being routine.
Who a cardiologist is and what cardiology studies
The field of cardiology includes coronary heart disease, hypertensive disease, congenital and acquired heart defects, cerebrovascular diseases, and medical rehabilitation of people with lesions of the cardiovascular system. The scale of the topic is evident from the figure: the share of cardiac pathology in the mortality structure of developed countries is 40–60%.
Cardiology is a therapeutic discipline; vascular and cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, phlebology, and neurosurgery work alongside it, and through the common mechanisms of heart disease it intersects with endocrinology, nephrology, rheumatology, hematology, and genetics.
What symptoms prompt a visit to a cardiologist
Symptoms depend on the condition, and some heart diseases manifest with nothing at all: in some people, the first sign is chest pain, a heart attack, or a stroke.
- Chest pain — angina, insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.
- A problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat — arrhythmia.
- Signs of heart failure: the heart does not pump enough blood for the body's needs.
- Sudden impairment of speech or movement — a possible sign of stroke.
The most common form is ischemic (coronary) heart disease: a plaque of fatty deposits accumulates in the arteries supplying the heart muscle and narrows or blocks blood flow. Next come angina, heart attack, heart failure, and rhythm disorders; valve diseases and cardiomyopathy occur separately.
The blood pressure doctor: when high blood pressure requires a consultation
High blood pressure is on the list of conditions that increase the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases — along with high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune inflammatory diseases.
Assessment and further steps are determined by the doctor at the appointment. Non-modifiable factors are age (most cases occur in people over 50), sex (risk is higher in men), family history, and origin. Modifiable ones are smoking, excess alcohol, excess weight, and lack of activity.
How an appointment proceeds: what examinations are ordered
The appointment begins with a conversation: the doctor asks about the medical history and complaints, about family history, performs a physical examination, then usually orders instrumental and laboratory tests of the heart and blood. If the case goes beyond an initial assessment, the patient is referred to a cardiologist.
Based on the results, treatment options are discussed: lifestyle correction, medications, procedures or surgery, devices (for example, a pacemaker), and cardiac rehabilitation. The choice remains with the doctor.
When to see a doctor urgently
If a person believes they have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, a doctor's consultation is needed.
A single blood pressure measurement is not in itself a reason to call an ambulance; 103/112 — if a heart attack or stroke is suspected: chest pain, sudden impairment of speech or movement.
This material is for reference: it describes what a cardiologist does but does not replace a doctor's consultation — management is discussed only at an appointment.
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This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer