Looking for a new heart doctor? Also known as cardiologists, heart doctors treat disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Learning about some of the more common heart conditions can help people understand how to avoid developing a heart condition.

ABOUT CARDIOLOGISTS

Wondering what exactly a heart doctor does to help their patients? Cardiologists are medical professionals who diagnose and treat diseases within the cardiovascular system. In order to do this, they must go through 10 years of training and education. Cardiologists often see patients who are experiencing symptoms that point to a heart problem. These symptoms include but are not limited to dizziness, shortness of breath, abnormal changes in heart rate or rhythm, high blood pressure and chest pains. The list below includes some of the more common types of heart conditions that cardiologists treat.

HEART CONDITIONS THAT ARE COMMONLY TREATED BY CARDIOLOGISTS

HYPERTENSION

Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure. When someone is diagnosed with high blood pressure, it means that their blood vessels and internal organs receive some level of damage over a period of time. When blood vessels are damaged, it makes them weaker. When blood vessels are weak, it is possible for an aneurysm to start forming. If an aneurysm bursts, it can be fatal. Hypertension also makes the heart work harder. When the heart works harder, it makes the muscles of the heart thicker, which makes the blood pumping process more difficult.

HEART ARRHYTHMIAS

A heart arrhythmia means one's heart is beating too fast, beating too slow or beating irregularly. While most arrhythmias are considered to be harmless, others are can be quite serious. It is essential for patients who have been diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia to seek treatment from a cardiologist. If they do not, they have a higher chance of experiencing chest pain, heart attack, stroke or complete heart failure. Heart arrhythmias are often treated with medications but can require other types of medical treatments, such as a cardiac ablation.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Coronary heart disease is the most common type of cardiovascular condition people are being diagnosed with these days and is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. When someone has this condition, it means that their coronary arteries, which supply blood to the muscles of the heart, have a buildup of plaque inside of them. A buildup of plaque makes the arteries more narrow and it is more difficult for blood to get to the heart. The lack of blood deprives the heart of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.

BOTTOM LINE

Are you in need of a heart doctor? As noted in the above information, there are many different types of heart conditions one may be diagnosed with. Some of which are more common than others. Whether you have already been diagnosed with a heart condition or think you may have one, it is essential to place yourself under the care of an experienced cardiologist who can properly manage your particular type of heart condition.