A heart specialist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, and other conditions related to the cardiovascular system. The most common clinical subspecialties are cardiac electrophysiology, pediatrics, interventional cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and clinical cardiology.
However, there are others as well, depending on what area of medicine or research they have focused their career on. If you are looking for a heart specialist, you may consider making a visit to Cadence Heart Centre, a heart clinic located in Singapore.
Most people will see a general practitioner that then refers them to a heart specialist in Orchard for specific testing or possible surgical intervention. The following list shows some examples of specific responsibilities for someone with this type of medical background:
- Identifying risk factors for heart disease
- Diagnosing coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, and other cardiac conditions
- Treating coronary artery disease through medication or surgery
- Conducting tests, including echocardiograms, stress tests, angiograms, and transplants
- Monitoring patients with pacemakers and defibrillators
What Types of Testing do Heart Specialists Perform?
Other than the above list that shows what a cardio-specialist does, there are other tests as well. Some examples of those would include:
- Blood pressure testing
- Blood chemistry testing
- Drug testing
Some common cardiovascular diseases and conditions treated by a heart specialist may include:
- Heart disease or coronary artery disease – narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle can lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina pectoris (chest pain due to blocked coronary arteries), and heart failure. If the patient has had previous bypass surgery, a heart specialist in Orchard could be part of their ongoing treatment team. The specialist will also determine if it is medically safe for the patient to have a further intervention.
- Congenital heart defects – these are present at birth and may be corrected by surgery or medication. If the congenital heart condition is severe enough, patients will require ongoing care with a specialist that can provide all of their medical needs.
- Valvular heart disease – this type of problem occurs when one or more of the four valves in your heart become damaged or diseased. This causes blood flow problems which, if not treated, can lead to additional complications. Traditionally, doctors have treated this condition with medications, but surgical options are also available.
- Heart rhythm problems – if the heart starts to beat abnormally, it can cause symptoms such as chest pain and lightheadedness. This is often referred to as arrhythmia and may be treated through medication or surgery.
- Pericarditis – this condition occurs when the tissue around the heart becomes inflamed, which causes symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and fluid build-up around the heart. Treatment usually involves medications and possibly surgery if that does not work.
There are many other types of cardiovascular conditions that a cardiologist could treat, but these are some of the most common ones.
How to Prepare for a Visit to the Doctor
Before you visit a heart specialist in Orchard area, knowing what to expect may help you feel more relaxed and less nervous about the appointment. If you have a specific question, be sure to write it down so that you can refer to it during your visit with the doctor.
It is a good idea to do some research about various conditions or treatments to become better informed about what will happen during your appointment. Additionally, if possible, inform the following people (that usually accompany patients) of what to expect:
- A family member or friend – this person may remember something important that you forgot or could act as an advocate for you during your visit to ensure that all of your questions are answered. You may even want them along to take notes.
- Your regular physician – if you have one, you should call them to inform them that you are visiting another doctor. That way, they can keep track of any prescriptions or other treatments you are receiving and determine if they conflict with the new specialist’s recommendations.
- Your insurance company – before your appointment, contact your insurance provider to find out what is covered by your plan so that you understand how much of the cost will be out-of-pocket.
What to Expect During your Visit
During your initial visit with a heart specialist, there are many things that may happen. The following list describes some common procedures:
- The nurse taking down patient information, including medical history, medications currently being taken, and allergies to medications or materials: Taking down your history may involve answering many questions about medical history and current symptoms. If you have any health problems be sure to let the nurse know so that they can document them correctly.
- The heart specialist conducting a physical examination: During this time, the doctor will listen to your chest, back, neck and lungs with a stethoscope or other listening device to determine if there are any abnormalities. They may also look at your skin for signs of swelling, which would indicate fluid build-up around vital organs. The specialist will ask you to breathe deeply before listening to your heart again and watch how fast it is beating by checking your pulse at various points on your body. This process allows the doctor to gather information about what could be causing any heart-related problems.
- The doctor taking a medical history: To determine what is causing your heart problems, the doctor will ask you about other conditions you have had in the past and if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with any cardiovascular conditions. They may also ask you how much caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco products you consume on a weekly basis because these could contribute to certain cardiac issues. They may even want to know how often you exercise and follow a healthy diet.
Once all of the information is gathered from you and any accompanying persons (family/friends), the doctor will likely schedule additional further evaluation tests before determining a treatment course.
Final Thoughts
Visiting a heart specialist is usually a positive experience because it allows you to receive the help you need to improve heart function and feel better. You should ask as many questions as necessary for a complete understanding of what is being done during your appointment so that you can best care for yourself afterward.
At Cadence Heart Center, we offer a full range of cardiology services to treat cardiovascular diseases. To schedule an appointment, please call us at (65) 6369 8789 or visit our website.
Cadence Heart Centre (Dr Devinder Singh) | Heart Screening, Heart Check Up
3 Mount Elizabeth, Medical Centre, 14-13, Singapore 228510
+65 6369 8789
https://cadenceheart.sg/
