What a Cardiologist Can Do for You

Did you know that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide? Cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in the UAE because of the presence of risk factors. For instance, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, etc. People in the UAE suffer from cardiovascular diseases earlier than the rest of the world. Individuals with conditions like high blood pressure raised glucose, obesity, and increased blood lipids have a higher risk of developing CVD.

What are Cardiovascular Diseases?

Cardiovascular disease refers to several conditions, for instance, heart disease. Heart and blood vessel disease (heart disease) comprises various problems related to atherosclerosis. Plaque buildup in the walls of your arteries causes atherosclerosis. Plaque narrows the arteries and makes it hard for blood to flow.

A heart attack happens when a blood clot blocks blood flow to a part of your heart. If it completely blocks blood flow, the affected heart muscle starts to die. You can survive a heart attack and continue with your normal life.

An ischemic stroke is a common cardiovascular disease; it occurs when blood vessels connected to the brain are blocked. Brain cells start to die when blood supply is cut off; this causes loss of body functions controlled by the affected part of the brain. However, sometimes, brain cells don’t die, and the damage is temporary.

Heart failure or congestive heart failure happens when your heart does not pump blood as it should. However, this doesn’t mean that your heart stops pumping. Instead, your heart continues working but does not provide enough oxygen and blood for your body.

Heart valve problems are also part of cardiovascular diseases. It is when heart valves fail to open adequately for blood flow or when they fail to close properly, allowing blood to leak. Another condition is arrhythmia; it refers to an abnormal heart rhythm.

What to Expect from Your Cardiologist?

Cardiologists are specialists in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. You don’t have to be sick to see your cardiologist; here are some of the reasons you should schedule an appointment.

Cardiac Packages

Good health should be your priority because it contributes to your well-being. A good diet, exercise, and avoiding stress are important, but so are regular cardiac check-ups. You can request your cardiologist to perform various tests.

Our cardiologist offers different cardiac packages at affordable rates, for instance, comprehensive cardiac packages that go for AED 4300. They include; consultation with consultant cardiology, electrocardiogram, cholesterol profile test, echocardiography, and stress exercise test.

The Pediatric Package goes for AED 2500 and includes consultation with consultant cardiology, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography. The Athletes Package is only AED 4000; it includes consultation with consultant cardiology, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress test.

Echocardiogram

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A cardiologist performs various tests, especially for patients with heart disease or those with symptoms. The good thing is you can choose affordable cardiac packages from your favorite cardiologist.

An echocardiogram is a common test that uses sound waves to form images of your heart. It allows the specialist to see your heart’s performance; this test helps to detect heart disease. Your doctor can perform various types of echocardiograms, depending on the information needed.

An echocardiogram enables the specialist to check whether the symptoms you have are related to heart problems, check for problems with chambers or valves of your heart, and detect congenital heart defects before birth.

Consultation with Consultant Cardiology

Consultant cardiology deals with diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating patients with cardiovascular problems, specifically, the arteries, heart, and veins. Apart from diagnosis and treatment, a cardiologist also offers health information and advice on preventing various heart conditions.

The specialist might encourage healthy eating habits, exercise, and cessation of smoking. He also prescribes maintenance medication to patients with heart disease to counter the complications.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram or ECG, or EKG records electrical signals in your heart. It is a painless test conducted by your cardiologist to examine your heart’s health. It is ideal for people of all ages and is used to detect or determine whether you have had a previous heart attack if narrowed or blocked arteries in your heart are the cause of heart attack or chest pain, how well a particular treatment is working, or checking for abnormal heart rhythm.

Cholesterol Profile Test

A cholesterol profile test is a blood test that determines the amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood. This test helps to decide whether or not you are likely to develop plaque in your arteries; this can lead to blocked or narrowed arteries throughout the body.

Your cardiologist recommends a cholesterol test because it is crucial, especially in determining whether you are at risk of developing coronary artery disease. A cholesterol profile test is important because high cholesterol might not show any signs and symptoms.

The specialist conducts a complete cholesterol test to calculate 4 types of fat in the blood. They include total cholesterol, the average of your blood cholesterol. Triglycerides-your body converts excess cholesterol into triglycerides which are then stored in fat cells.

A cholesterol profile test also includes High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as the “good” cholesterol, because it keeps your arteries open and blood flowing freely. The other type of fat is Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as the “bad” cholesterol; too much of this can block your arteries.

Stress Exercise Test

A stress/treadmill/exercise test helps your cardiologist find out how well your heart can handle work. As the work intensifies, your body needs more oxygen, and the heart needs to pump more blood.

The test shows whether the blood supply is reduced in your heart’s arteries. It also helps the specialist to determine the right exercise for you. Your breathing, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG OR EKG), blood pressure, and how tired you feel are monitored.

A cardiologist is an important medical specialist who diagnoses, treats, and helps rehabilitate people with cardiovascular diseases. A cardiologist designs the best treatment plan for a successful outcome. You can also get advice about how to manage and prevent various conditions of the heart.