The term “cardiology” is derived from the Greek words “cardia,” meaning heart, and “logy,” meaning study. Cardiology focuses on the study and treatment of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. This field encompasses the medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and electrophysiology. Individuals with heart or cardiovascular conditions are typically referred to a cardiologist. Cardiologists are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular system diseases. They may recommend various tests and perform procedures such as heart catheterizations, angioplasty, or pacemaker insertions to accurately diagnose and treat heart problems. Cardiology procedures are classified into three main types: invasive, non-invasive, and interventional.
Invasive cardiology involves the use of open or minimally invasive surgical techniques to identify and treat structural or electrical abnormalities within the heart. Common types of invasive cardiology procedures include:
Angioplasty: When plaque clogs the arteries, it becomes difficult for blood to flow normally. Angioplasty involves inserting a tiny balloon into the clogged artery and inflating it, which pushes the plaque against the artery walls. This procedure widens the artery and restores increased blood flow.
Stenting: Stenting is typically performed in conjunction with angioplasty. A cardiac stent, a small metal coil, is inserted into the clogged artery to hold it open permanently, ensuring continuous blood flow.
Non-invasive cardiology identifies heart problems without using needles, fluids, or other instruments inserted into the body. Non-invasive cardiologists utilize techniques such as:
Nuclear cardiology: A non-invasive study of cardiovascular disorders using various imaging techniques that may involve radioactive elements. These imaging methods help visualize the heart and assess its function and blood flow.
Echocardiography: The use of ultrasound waves to create images of the heart and surrounding structures. This technique helps identify how well the heart pumps blood, detect infections, and reveals structural abnormalities.
Cardiac electrophysiology: The study and testing of the electrical currents that generate heartbeats. This field focuses on diagnosing and treating electrical activities and abnormalities within the heart.
Stress tests: Stress testing typically involves monitored exercise under the supervision of a cardiologist. These tests provide information about how a person’s heart performs under physical stress, helping to identify any abnormalities or issues with heart function.
Heart monitors: Heart monitors, also known as Holter monitors or cardiac event recorders, act as tape recorders for your heart’s electrical activity over a specific period. These devices provide continuous monitoring, allowing healthcare providers to analyze any irregularities in heart rhythm or function.
CT scans: CT scans produce detailed images of the heart and surrounding structures, allowing cardiologists to examine for any signs of heart disease, atherosclerosis, or other abnormalities.
Interventional cardiology is a non-surgical technique that utilizes a catheter—a small, flexible tube—to repair damaged or weakened vessels, narrow arteries, or other affected parts of the heart structure. Common conditions treated by interventional cardiology include:
Coronary artery disease: This condition involves the narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen.
Heart valve disease: This condition occurs when the valves that control blood flow into the heart’s chambers malfunction or fail to work correctly.
Peripheral vascular disease: Your heart can also be affected by clogged or hardened veins and arteries in the other parts of your body.
