Who is a cardiologist? Let's talk about this in detail!

Have you ever thought about how important this little heart that beats inside our chest is to our lives? It is like a small engine that works non-stop in our body. This heart is the one that purifies the blood and sends all the oxygen and nutrients that we need to live to our entire body. So, if there is a problem or illness in such a valuable organ, we need a doctor who knows about it and can treat it, right? That specialist is what we call a cardiologist .

Who is this cardiologist?

Simply put, a cardiologist is a doctor who has received special training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels . Specifically, he or she has extensive knowledge about how our heart works, what diseases it can develop, and what to do about those diseases.

Now look, when young children have heart problems, there are special doctors who treat them. We call them Pediatric Cardiologists . Because the hearts of young children, and the heart problems they develop, are often different from those of adults. Therefore, they need special expertise.

Cardiologists treat a wide variety of heart conditions. You may have heard of a heart murmur, or a heart murmur . Or a heart rhythm that suddenly becomes too fast or too slow. These doctors treat everything from heart failure to more serious conditions like blocked arteries that supply blood to the heart.

When should we see a cardiologist?

Many people think that heart disease only occurs when we get older. But that's not true. Even young children and young adults can get heart disease. So, it's important to know what symptoms we should see a cardiologist if we have them.

If a small child has these symptoms...

If you notice any of the following with your young child, you may need to see a pediatric cardiologist on the advice of your pediatrician:

• Heart Murmur: When your doctor hears an extra heart sound, a murmur, through a stethoscope. But remember, not all heart murmurs are dangerous. Some just go away on their own.
• Chest Pain: If young children complain about chest pain, it's best not to ignore it.
• Heartbeat irregularities (Palpitations): If the child feels like their heart is beating fast or skipping beats.
• Dizziness or Fainting: If your child feels faint, especially while playing or exercising.
• Difficulty breathing or getting tired quickly: If you get tired more quickly than other children, even after playing for a little while, and it seems like you have trouble breathing.
• Blue skin (Cyanosis): If the child's lips, tongue, and fingertips turn blue, this means that the blood is not getting enough oxygen.
• Frequent respiratory infections: Some congenital heart defects can affect the lungs, causing frequent colds and coughs.
• If someone in the family has a history of heart disease: If parents or siblings have congenital heart disease, it is a good idea to have your child tested as well.
• Conditions such as Kawasaki Disease: These conditions can affect the heart, so specialist advice is required.
• Rheumatic Fever: Rheumatic fever, which follows a throat infection, can damage the heart valves.

Imagine, if your little one suddenly says, "Mommy, my chest hurts" after playing, or if they feel like they're getting too excited while running around and playing, the best thing to do is not to panic, but to see a pediatrician and seek his advice.

If an adult has these symptoms...

In the case of adults, it is important to seek the advice of a cardiologist if you have any of the following symptoms or risk factors:

• Chest pain or discomfort: A squeezing or squeezing pain, especially in the center of the chest. This pain may radiate to the arm, neck, or even jaw.
• Shortness of breath: If you feel like you have trouble breathing, not just when you're tired, but even when you're just standing still.
• Excessive sweating, nausea, and vomiting: These can also sometimes be symptoms of a heart attack.
• Fast, irregular, or slow heartbeat.
• Swelling of the legs and ankles.
• Hypertension: If your blood pressure is consistently high.
• High Cholesterol: If the level of bad cholesterol in the blood is high.
• Diabetes Mellitus: People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing heart disease.
• If you smoke.
• If someone in the family has had heart disease at a young age.

What happens when you see a cardiologist?

Now you're probably thinking, "Okay, what happens if I go to a cardiologist?" There's nothing to worry about. Usually, here's what happens:

1. Medical History: The doctor will first ask you about your symptoms, how they started, how long they have been present, etc. They will also ask about other medical conditions you have, the medications you are taking, and whether anyone in your family has heart disease. If it is a small child, problems during pregnancy, how the child was born, and how he or she is growing are also important.

2. Physical Examination: Next, the doctor will examine you. This includes listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, checking your pulse, checking your blood pressure, and checking your legs for swelling.

3. Special Tests: Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend some special tests. Some of these include:

• ECG/EKG - Electrocardiogram: This measures the electrical activity of your heart, or how the heart's 'current' is working. This is a painless test that can be done in a few minutes.
• Echocardiogram: This is like a 'scan' of the heart. It uses sound waves to look at the shape and size of the heart, how the heart's parts are working, and how the valves are working.
• Stress Test / Exercise ECG: This involves monitoring your ECG and blood pressure while you walk on a treadmill or ride a bike. This can help determine how your heart can handle stress and whether there are any problems with the arteries that supply blood to your heart when you are stressed.
• Holter Monitor: Sometimes, heart rhythm irregularities don't always show up. In such cases, you may be fitted with a small device that records your heart's ECG over a period of 24 or 48 hours.
• Blood Tests: These can check things like cholesterol levels, sugar levels, and enzymes that check for heart damage.
• Cardiac Catheterization and Angiogram: This is a more complicated test. It is used to check for blockages in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. Sometimes, during this test, a blocked artery can be widened (angioplasty) or a stent can be inserted.

How are heart diseases treated?

Once your cardiologist diagnoses your condition, they will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. This may include one or more of the following:

• Lifestyle Changes: You may be told to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly , lose weight, and reduce stress. These are very important.
• Medications: Various medications may be given to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, regulate heart rate, prevent blood clots, and reduce chest pain.
• Medical Procedures: As mentioned earlier, things like angioplasty, stent placement, ablation treatment for some irregular heartbeats, and the installation of a device such as a pacemaker or ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) may be necessary.
• Heart Surgery: In some serious cases, for example, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) or Valve Replacement Surgery, a Cardiac Surgeon may need to perform the procedure. However, these decisions are made by a team of doctors, including a cardiologist.

Specialty of Pediatric Cardiologists

We've already mentioned that heart disease in young children is different from that in adults. A pediatric cardiologist is a doctor who has received special training in heart disease in children from birth to young adulthood (usually around 18-21 years of age).

• Congenital Heart Defects: Pediatric cardiologists often treat these conditions. Some of these can be simple, while others may require complex surgery.
• Child-friendly treatment: When administering medication and performing tests on a young child, many factors need to be considered, such as the child's age, weight, and growth. It is also important to create an environment where children can do these things without fear and easily. Pediatric cardiologists are specially trained in this.

The anxiety and fear that parents feel when they learn about a heart condition in a young child is indescribable. But remember, medical science is very advanced these days. With the right treatment at the right time, with the right specialist, many heart conditions can be successfully managed.

Keep these things in mind before seeing a cardiologist

If you are going to see a cardiologist, keep these things in mind:

• Medical records: Bring your old medical records, test reports, and a list of medications you are taking.
• A list of questions: Write down a few questions you want to ask the doctor ahead of time. That way, you won't forget anything.
• Be open: Talk openly with your doctor about your symptoms, your feelings, your fears, and your concerns. Don't hide anything.
• Go with someone: If possible, bring a family member or friend with you. This will help you understand and remember what the doctor is saying.

Finally, take-home message

A cardiologist is like a very important friend we have to protect the health of our heart.

• If you suspect that you or your child has a heart problem or symptom, do not panic and seek medical advice.
• Heart disease is not something that can't be prevented. A healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Don't be afraid of the tests and treatments prescribed by a cardiologist. They are for your own good.
• Pediatric cardiologists are there to protect our children's hearts. Trust them.

Our heart is an amazing organ. It is our responsibility to keep it healthy. Cardiologists are always ready to provide the necessary professional support. Therefore, let's take care of our heart and live healthy!

` Cardiologist, Heart Disease, Pediatric Heart Disease, Heart Murmur, ECG, Echocardiogram