Patient information

Ideally, everyone should see a cardiologist from time to time, especially since early heart conditions usually show no apparent symptoms. An example is stage B of heart failure (CHF). Since the condition is asymptomatic, the patient may be unaware of their condition unless they undergo regular checkups. If timely medical attention is not sought, the condition may persist, with the patient beginning to show symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fatigue.

Many heart diseases can be prevented. You may know if you are at risk of this condition by seeing a cardiologist and having a few tests. Those who are already in a critical condition should consult a cardiologist so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.

The results of a cardiology consultation vary from person to person. Some people may find that they need immediate treatment, while others may have a healthy heart and need to continue living a healthy lifestyle.

Cardiac consultation procedures may vary, but usually include an interview, a physical examination, other tests as required, and a diagnosis of the patient’s condition.

Depending on the findings, your cardiologist may discuss:

Echocardiography is a powerful diagnostic tool. When used carefully by the right doctor and in the right patient, it can significantly benefit patients who present with cardiovascular symptoms in primary care.

It can also be used for patients who describe severe symptoms of potentially life-threatening heart disease, even in the patient’s home, allowing direct referral to the most appropriate second-line care team. The risk of its indiscriminate use should be minimised with careful training and demonstration of continuity. Where the training and safety aspects are addressed satisfactorily, echocardiography can be used effectively and extensively in primary care for the benefit of patients.

The heart’s response to changes in our environment is probably more important than how the heart works at rest. For this reason, the stress echocardiogram has become important in diagnosing and monitoring treatment outcomes.

Echocardiography at rest and during stress allows visualisation of left ventricular function, and of valvular formation and function. Echocardiography can be performed during or after several different types of physical, or even mental, stress.

The benefits of stress echocardiography include its accurate detection, relatively low cost, and increasing value, because it allows the separation of cardiac anatomy and myocardial response to a potential ischaemic stimulus. Echocardiography also has the potential to detect myocardial perfusion, wall movement and wall stiffness.

A Holter monitor is a small device that records your heart rate. It performs the same function as an ECG, but it helps to monitor the heartbeat continuously. A Holter monitor test is recommended by doctors when they need to check a patient’s heart condition over a few days.

The portable device is attached to the patient’s chest, near the heart. The Holter monitor has cords that connect to electrodes, which continuously record your heartbeat. Physicians often recommend Holter monitoring after a patient’s physical examination and ECG.