With cardiovascular disease responsible for one in three deaths in Nigeria, prioritizing one’s heart health is vitally important. Whether a patient has a family history of heart problems or a condition that has him or her thinking about his or her cardiovascular health, one may be wondering when it’s appropriate to seek out a heart specialist.
Cardiologists are different than primary doctors, as they have specialized training that makes them experts when it comes to treating heart- and blood vessel-related issues. A cardiologist’s job is to diagnose and treat conditions specifically related to the heart and blood vessels, which include heart attacks, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, high blood pressure, and valve problems. They have specific expertise in diagnosing these conditions and coming up with a treatment plan individually fitted to your needs. Some cardiologists also have specialized training in particular areas of cardiology, like heart disease and pregnancy-related heart problems.
The following symptoms and conditions are good reasons to see a cardiologist, if a patient is experiencing any of these, he or she should bring them up to his or her doctor immediately, as the doctor will be able to help him or her determine appropriate next steps.
Concerning symptoms: These include chest pain and discomfort, fainting, fatigue, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, feelings of intense indigestion or heaviness in the chest, and shortness of breath, all of which can be signs of a cardiac event. A cardiologist can use specialized technology to figure out whether a patient is experiencing heart attack symptoms, and then use that information to create a treatment plan for the patient.
Family history of heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes: Having cardiovascular issues in a patient’s family means him or her has a higher risk of experiencing them, too. A cardiologist can evaluate the risk level given the patient’s family history and provide a specialized care plan.
Related conditions: Certain conditions are associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Gum disease, for example, may be associated with a higher risk of heart disease, and there is also a strong correlation between diabetes and heart disease. Other conditions that make a person more likely to experience heart problems include kidney disease and a history of smoking.
High blood pressure: Hypertension is a top cause of cardiovascular disease. While a primary doctor can help keep this condition under control with medication, a cardiologist can look a bit deeper, specifically at whether this condition look like leading toward cardiovascular disease.
Preeclampsia during pregnancy: This condition, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, can significantly increase the risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease—perhaps even as much as smoking does. Since pregnancy is one of the two times that women are most likely to develop heart disease in their lives (the other is after menopause), a cardiologist can help keep the heart health under control during this high-risk time.
As cardiovascular disease continues to affect many Nigerians, the time is always right to be proactive when it comes to the heart. Heart conditions are chronic, meaning they don’t go away, but need to be monitored throughout the whole life. Working with a cardiologist ensures a patient has an expert on his or her side leading the way.
At First Cardiology Consultants, we have many highly-qualified physicians who are each capable of helping a patient determine not only the current state of his or her heart health, but also the steps he or she must take in order to maintain it.
REFERENCES
https://www.healthgrades.com/explore/6-reasons-to-see-a-cardiologist
https://www.cardio.com/blog/top-9-signs-you-should-see-a-cardiologist