Your heart is a hardworking muscle that beats over 100,000 times per day.
Heart disease is so very common, with cardiovascular disease being the leading
cause of death for both men and women, accounting for one out of every three
deaths in the United States. In most cases, heart disease goes undetected until
a serious health condition, such as a heart attack or stroke, occurs.
While heart disease is a long-term illness, consulting with a cardiologist ensures
that you have someone by your side who can help you to diagnose the disease
early and preventing its complications. Therefore, it's important to look after this
vital organ on a regular basis. The most significant symptoms and indications
that suggest the need for a cardiologist visit will be discussed in this article.
What is a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of
heart and blood vessel problems such as heart attacks, palpitations, irregular
heartbeats, elevated blood pressure, and valve abnormalities.
The cardiologist's role is either primary prevention (lowering the risk of life-
threatening cardiovascular adverse events) or secondary prevention (lowering
the risk of recurring cardiovascular complications). Nevertheless , several of the
patients seen by cardiologists are disease-free, and their job is simply to
reassure them that they are healthy and that no further testing is necessary.
The following are the top five signs and reasons that necessitate seeing a
cardiologist:
1- Presence of Alarming Symptoms
Booking an appointment with a specialist cardiologist is the best way to detect
the warning signs of cardiovascular disease. If you have symptoms of a
worsening heart condition, which can sometimes be signs of a heart attack, you
should seek medical attention from a cardiologist. Among the concerning,
symptoms are:
- Chest discomfort, heaviness or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, fatigue
- Syncopal attacks
Note:
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. Although
The majority of the patients' chest pain complaints are not linked to a heart
problem as there are other causes of chest pain that are unrelated to the heart,
chest pressure that develops or worsens with exercise is particularly troubling
because it may indicate that the heart isn't receiving enough blood.
2- Having Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors that increase the chance of developing
cardiovascular illnesses. It is a good idea to visit a cardiologist and explain your
history of illness if you suffer from any of the following conditions:
It's important to keep your blood pressure under
control whether it's on the rise or has always been elevated. High blood
pressure is a major contributor to the development of heart disease. HBP
causes atherosclerosis, a gradual narrowing of the coronary arteries caused
by fat accumulation, cholesterol, and/or other plaque-forming substances. A
blocked artery prevents blood from flowing into the heart muscle, potentially
leading to a cardiac ischemia.
Diabetes is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, and diabetics are
two to four times more likely than non-diabetics to develop heart disease.
Uncontrolled blood sugar alters the function of your blood vessels and greatly
increases your risk of coronary artery disease. This is why it's so important to talk
to a cardiologist about your condition.
High cholesterol may cause plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing your risk of
heart disease (especially if your cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dL). It's
important to keep the cholesterol levels under control. Your cardiologist can
prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications that also help to reduce your risk of
heart attack.
Cigarette smoking is one of the major preventable risk factors for developing heart disease. It not only raises blood pressure but also constricts arteries and prevents blood flow to the heart. Seeing a cardiologist if you smoke or have ever smoked is a good idea.
If your kidneys aren't working properly, you're more likely to develop heart
disease. High blood pressure and arterial disease are linked to kidney disease. A
cardiologist can talk with you about how your condition affects your heart and
how you can lower your risk of heart disease.
- Obesity and waist circumference
Central obesity increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Waist
circumference (WC) is a better predictor of cardiovascular disease risk, so talk to
your doctor about what your ideal belly size should be and what you can do to
keep it from threatening your health and heart
Preeclampsia is a common risk factor for heart disease that goes unnoticed.
Women who have had preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during
pregnancy or after delivery, are more likely to develop hypertension and
cardiovascular disease. During this high-risk period, a cardiologist can assist you
in keeping your heart health under control.
Your general physician can help you manage these conditions with medications,
but a cardiologist can dig a little deeper. If any of the above factors are related to
you, it is worth to visit cardiologist specialist.
3- Family history
Certain types of heart disease may have a significant genetic component. You
are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease if you have a family history of
it. Consult a cardiologist if strokes and heart attacks run in your family,
particularly if they happen young (under the age of 55 for men and 65 for
women).
4- Willing to start a New Exercise Program
Exercise strengthens the heart muscles, allowing blood to circulate more
efficiently throughout the body and helping to reduce high blood pressure.
Certain heart conditions, however, can make exercise dangerous. Before
engaging in moderate to high intensity exercise, it is recommended that you
consult a cardiologist, especially if you have been inactive for a long time or if
you have heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes. The specialist will check for
any underlying heart conditions that you may be unaware of and will recommend
heart-healthy exercises.
5- When you have Leg Pain
Leg pains that worsen with activity could be an indication of peripheral artery
disease (PAD). PAD is strongly linked to stroke and heart attack. You are more
likely to have coronary artery disease if you have known disease in the leg
arteries or blood vessels of the brain (carotid arteries). A cardiologist can advise
you on whether additional testing is necessary, as well as treatment options.
To sum up, it is important to make heart health a priority because heart disease
can lead to critical conditions.consequntly, Catching early signs of heart disease
right away will give you the chance to take corrective measures before further
complications manifest.
