Cardiology

What is cardiology?

Cardiology is responsible for the prevention, management, and treatment of various heart conditions or rather, cardiovascular diseases. It is helmed by the cardiologists – the heart doctors. As the heart is the core organ that contributes to our overall wellbeing, it is of paramount importance to keep the heart healthy. Here at Beacon Hospital, our cardiologists deal with the full spectrum of heart disorders and are committed to providing you the most advanced and reliable treatment plans tailored to best meet your specific condition and needs.

What conditions can cardiologists treat?

Cardiologists are the go-to experts and consultants when it comes to problems pertaining to the function of the cardiovascular system, which consists of the heart and blood vessels. Hence, they possess the knowledge and skills to assess, treat, and care for:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD), a heart disease that involves the build-up of plaque in the walls of arteries that supply blood to the heart, thereby causing reduced blood and oxygen flow to the heart
• Heart attack, as a result of heart muscles running out of blood and oxygen
• Broken heart syndrome, a temporary and reversive heart weakening condition that’s often stress induced – hence, it’s also known as stress cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure, which happens when the heart fails to effectively pump blood to the rest of the body
• Arrhythmia, heart rhythm problems characterised by the heart beating too fast, too slow, or irregularly
• Heart valve disease, refers to the malfunction of the heart valves, a condition which prevents heart valves from opening or closing properly, thus interrupting the flow of blood through the heart and to the rest of the body
• Angina, chest pain brought on by the lack of blood and oxygen flow to the heart.

Cardiac Investigations:

There are multiple ways for cardiologists to diagnosed and treat patients:

• Cardiac Risk Assessment & Treatment
• Stress Test
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Holter Interpretation
• Chest X Ray
• Echocardiogram
• Heart (cardiac) CT scan
• Heart (cardiac) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Coronary Angiogram

Cardiac Procedures:

• Cardioversion:

  Cardioversion puts your heart back into a normal rhythm using medicines or an electric device.

• Acute Coronary Care Management:

  involves a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, such as oxygen therapy, medications, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, lifestyle modifications, and continuous monitoring, to manage patients with acute coronary syndrome and improve outcomes.

• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Insertion:

  Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Insertion is a medical procedure which places a mechanical device known as IABP which helps to increase the blood flow to the heart by inflating and deflating a balloon in the aorta.

• Angioplasty:

  A small balloon catheter is inserted into a blocked blood vessel during an angioplasty procedure to help widen it and increase blood flow to the heart.

• Permanent Pacemaker Implantation:

  Permanent pacemaker implantation is a medical procedure where a small device is implanted under the skin of the chest to help regulate the heartbeat.