CARDIOLOGY
Cardiology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the heart as well as parts of the circulatory system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. Physicians who specialize in this field of medicine are called cardiologists, a specialty of internal medicine. Pediatric cardiologists are pediatricians who specialize in cardiology. Physicians who specialize in cardiac surgery are called cardiothoracic surgeons or cardiac surgeons, a specialty of general surgery.
Cardiology is a specialisation that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the heart and circulatory system.
The various ailments that are covered under cardiology are:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Valvular heart disease
- Heart rhythm problems
- Congenital heart defects
- Elevated cholesterol
- Atrial fibrillation
- Systemic hypertension
Cardiology further classifies sun specialisations as:
- Clinical Cardiologist: Also referred to as a General Cardiologist, they work with patients and primary care doctors to diagnose and treat heart and cardiovascular issues.
- Cardio-oncologist: Cardio-oncologists treat patients who are undergoing treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and who are at risk of heart disease.
- Electrophysiologist: Electrophysiologist diagnose and treat abnormal heartbeats, or arrhythmias, caused by electrical problems in the heart.
- Interventional cardiologist: Interventional cardiology involves minimally invasive procedures to treat heart ailments, such as balloon angioplasty and removing plaque build-up.
- Cardiac surgeon: Cardiac surgeon operates on the heart and aorta to rectify conditions which other treatments can’t resolve.
- Cardiac imaging specialist: Cardiac imaging uses ultrasound and nuclear imaging to evaluate blood flow and help with diagnosis.
- Adult congenital heart specialisation: Aimed at Providing lifelong care for patients with congenital heart problems.
- Heart failure specialist: A heart failure specialist develops long-term treatment plans for patients with heart failure.
