Concerned about your heart health? It might be time to see a cardiologist

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. And Indiana has the 15th highest death rate from cardiovascular disease in the country. While the statistics are daunting, many cases of heart disease are preventable, and you can find support for heart health with a cardiologist.

What a cardiologist does

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating issues with the heart and blood vessels. As the main pump of the body, the heart is responsible for delivering oxygen to all the vital organs. Cardiovascular disease describes disorders of the heart or blood vessels, such as heart attacks, arrhythmias (heart fluttering or palpitations) or heart failure.

When you experience concerning symptoms or have certain risk factors for heart disease, your primary care physician may refer you to a cardiologist. These symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations or “racing” heart beats (arrhythmias)
• Dizziness or fainting spells
• Swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen
• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac events

You may be at risk for heart disease if you are diabetic, overweight, physically inactive or drink excessive alcohol. It’s also important to understand any history of heart disease in your family.

“The first step in assessing your cardiovascular health is learning your family history. Ask your most immediate relatives about any heart attacks, heart failure or heart arrhythmias they’ve had, especially if their conditions began at an early age,” said Dr. Aaron Whipp, a cardiologist at IU Health. “Even if you discover a family history of heart disease, don’t be discouraged. Many of the more than 200 cardiac risk factors for developing heart disease can be modified.”

Common risk factors that can be modified include losing excess weight, regular exercise, quitting smoking, controlling cholesterol and hypertension and reducing sugar intake.

What to expect when seeing a cardiologist

A cardiologist will speak with you about your risk factors to learn more about your lifestyle and family history. They may recommend screening for certain heart problems so they can better understand what’s happening in your chest. These tests may include:

• An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), which records the electricity of the heart to check for coronary artery disease or fatal arrhythmias.
• An echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, which uses sound waves to view your heart and check for valve disease and heart failure.
• Blood tests to detect high cholesterol or diabetes.
• An exercise stress test, in which you walk on a treadmill while your heart is monitored to see how well it operates when it’s stressed. This can help identify heart failure, coronary heart disease and valve problems.
• A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest can be used for patients with a strong family history of heart disease to check the heart’s arteries for blockages and blood flow.
• A cardiac MRI scan can calculate the heart size and look for problems intrinsic to the heart muscle.

At what age should you see a cardiologist?

Given how common heart disease is, it’s natural that many of us will visit the cardiologist at some point in our lives. Although cardiovascular disease is more likely to occur in someone age 65 or older, heart problems can begin in your 20s.

Start by discussing your concerns with your primary care physician. These ongoing conversations will make it easier for you to manage your heart health until you need specialized care. Your primary care physician will typically offer front-line screenings, such as blood pressure and health checks, to help you identify any issues early and proceed with a cardiologist’s care if necessary.

When to skip the cardiologist and call 911

If you experience serious or concerning symptoms, such as sharp chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, light headedness, arm weakness, slurred speech or facial drooping, call 911. These could be signs of more serious cardiac events, such as a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association’s Don’t Die of Doubt program offers helpful signs to recognize serious symptoms that require emergency care.