Cardiologists specialize in the care of your heart and circulatory system  blood vessels. Treatments and preventions for many cardiovascular diseases  Issues. Other areas of specialization include abnormalities, for example. Rhythmic heartbeats, heart failure, or heart ailments that you’ve had since birth. Our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons treat patients from all over Houston, the United States, and the world. We provide the best cardiovascular care to our patients because of our world-class heart doctor in Houston, TX cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, advanced diagnostics and treatments, and our cutting-edge research.
This includes the most comprehensive listing of advanced cardiovascular diagnostic and imaging modalities available to patients in the United States. In order to optimize your cardiovascular health and well-being, we provide world-class experts to interpret these studies.
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Who is a cardiologist?
Doctors who specialize in heart and blood vessel diseases are called cardiologists. Their services include treating heart diseases and preventing heart attacks.
Medical school lasts four years, and cardiologists undergo three years of residency training in general internal medicine, plus at least three more years of specialized training.
An internist can take the American Board of Internal Medicine exam when he or she has completed 10 years of training. Even after achieving board certification, cardiologists continue to learn throughout their careers. The best care can only be provided if they keep up with the latest developments in how patients are treated.
What do cardiologists do?
A cardiologist is an expert in treating problems with your heart valves, blood vessels, and other cardiovascular issues, as well as chest pain and high blood pressure. Tests such as echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and CTs can be ordered to determine what is wrong with your heart. After diagnosing you, your doctor can prescribe medicine, help you start exercising and eating healthier, or perform cardiac catheterization.
If you have family members who have suffered heart problems, you should tell your cardiologist because that can increase the chance of you experiencing the same kind of problems.
The following basic information can provide your cardiologist with valuable information about your cardiovascular health:
- Weighing.
- The pressure in the blood.
- Blood cholesterol levels.
- Blood sugar (glucose) levels.
Using all of this information and your test results, your provider will figure out your risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, they’ll want to know whether you smoke, how much you exercise, what you eat, and what medications you take.
What types of tests does a cardiologist perform?
Some of the following tests can be ordered by a cardiologist, but others can be performed by other healthcare providers:
- Catheterization of the heart.
- A chest X-ray is taken.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart.
- Computed tomography (CT) of the heart.
- Angiogram of the heart.
- Tests under stressful conditions.
- EKG (Electrocardiogram).
- Electrocardiogram.
- An echocardiogram performed through the esophagus.
- Monitor for Holter devices.
- Monitoring events.
- Recorder that can be implanted and looped.
Consult a cardiologist when
If you have problems with your heart or blood vessels that require extra care, your primary care provider may refer you to a cardiologist. A cardiologist should be consulted if you experience chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Your cardiologist may continue to monitor your condition for quite some time.
Visiting a cardiologist: what to expect
You will be given a physical examination by a cardiologist, who will pay particular attention to your heart. Blood flow within your heart can be measured and irregular heart rhythms can be detected.
Prepare answers to questions regarding your family history and your own medical history. If you or your siblings, parents, or others in your family have had heart problems, let your cardiologist know. By giving your cardiologist this information, he or she can know what type of heart problems you may have.
To see a cardiologist, do I need a referral?
Depending on the situation. Check with your primary care provider to determine if your insurance requires a referral. When visiting a cardiologist, this can help you avoid an unpleasant surprise of a higher price than you expected. You’ll typically pay more to see a specialist such as a cardiologist than your primary care provider, but if you follow your insurance company’s rules, you’ll save money.
An expert in cardiology specializes in what?
The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, the specialty of a cardiologist. Specialist cardiologists can also treat congenital conditions (from birth), such as heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or congenital heart disease.
What are the working conditions for cardiologists?
They may work in a hospital where you can see them. There are also cardiologists who have private offices where they see patients. For tests or procedures, they may send you to a hospital or another medical facility.
