Cardiologists are experts in the diagnosing and treatment of diseases or conditions of the heart and blood vessels, the cardiovascular system to be precise. If you are concerned about your cardiovascular system, the first step is to discuss your symptoms with your primary care time, who will decide if you need a referral to a heart doctor.
There’s also a good chance that you may be referred to learn about actions you can take to prevent heart disease. Remember, it all starts with finding the best heart doctor you can count on at all times. But how do you know if seeing a cardiologist is the right thing for you to do at the moment?
For starters, you need to be aware of heart-related symptoms. Some of the symptoms that suggest you may need a referral to a heart doctor include: chest discomfort, shortness of breath, swelling in your legs, high blood pressure, and abnormally fast or slow heart rate. Things are not any different if having a strong family history of premature heart disease or cardiac death.
The heart doctor will evaluate your symptoms, review your medical history and may recommend diagnostic tests to appropriately diagnose the case of the symptoms and help your cardiology care team evaluate the best form of treatment for you.
You should also consider visiting a heart doctor in Singapore if you need specialized cardiac care plans. This can be something simple as getting advice on diet and exercise changes. Keep in mind you can lower your risk of heart disease by eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, your heart doctor may prescribe medications to control your condition. The type of medication you receive will depend on the type of heart condition and severity.
Assuming medications aren’t enough, your cardiology care team may recommend specific procedures or surgery. The type of procedure or surgery will depend on the type of heart condition and the extent of the damage to the heart.
If your heart doctor decides that you need surgery, you may be referred to a cardiovascular surgeon specializing in operations of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. After you recover from the surgery, you will be sent back to your cardiologist for long-term monitoring and care.
