What is Comprehensive Cardiology Consultation?

A cardiovascular consultation provides patients with an opportunity to address cardiac problems, understand the dangers and complications, and embrace healthy lifestyle behaviors. It also aids in a better understanding of the treatment methods and surgery procedure and pre and post-operative preparations, risks and complications. During the consultation, your Covington interventional cardiologist will review your medical history and conduct a thorough physical evaluation and tests to determine your risk of developing heart disease. Early detection may result in a better prognosis and reduced complications.

Treatments of heart problems

The following cardiac diagnostic tests are used to determine heart disease:

1.     Electrocardiogram (ECG) 

This test establishes how well the heart is working, the rate at which it beats, irregularities in rhythm, and whether or not the heart is enlarged or damaged. It is performed on patients who have chest pain, irregular heartbeats, drowsiness, or shortness of breath.

2.     Stress test

This test is used to monitor your heart rate while walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike. Your specialist also observes your breathing and blood pressure. A stress test can be used to detect coronary artery disease or to determine safe levels of exercise after a heart attack or surgery. This test can also be performed using special medications that stress the heart like exercise does. A stress test may occasionally collect ECG data and heart ultrasound images. It is more sensitive and specific than just ECG stress testing.

3.     Cardiac angiography

This test is commonly performed on patients who show signs of coronary artery disease. This procedure uses X-ray images to look for plaque deposition or other issues in the blood vessels or chambers of the heart. A tube is inserted into a blood vessel in the upper thigh or arm and pushed towards the heart during this test. After that, a contrast dye is injected into the blood to make the arteries viewable. X-ray images are captured as the dye flows through the arteries.

4.     Echocardiography

This technique creates images of the heart by using sound waves. The images are used to assess the size of the heart, the strength of the heart muscles, the presence of heart diseases, and heart valve malfunctions. The heart images are displayed on a large screen monitor for the physician and patient to see during the evaluation.

After the treatment

Once the findings are in, your cardiologist will devise a strategy for further evaluation or treatment. Your doctor may also advise you to make lifestyle changes such as losing weight, increasing physical activity, avoiding smoking and chronic alcoholism, and taking cholesterol-lowering medications. If you are found to have coronary artery disease during the scanning, your cardiologist will recommend coronary revascularization via angioplasty with or without stenting or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). These procedures will reduce the risk of cardiac events such as myocardial infarction or death.

If you have a family background of heart disease or have noticed any unusual symptoms related to your heart health, call Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute or schedule an appointment today.