Cardiology is the medical specialty focused on the heart and the cardiovascular system. It involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. These conditions include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), and valve disorders. The field covers a broad spectrum, from congenital heart defects present at birth to acquired conditions like heart attacks.

Cardiology
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Cardiology Overview and Definition

Prof. M.D. Kenan Abdurrahman Kara shares the latest developments and techniques in cardiovascular surgery in the video below. You can learn how Liv Hospital brings together the best experts with the latest technologies through our doctor's explanations.

Is it possible to perform bypass surgery without stopping the heart? The answer is yes. Prof. Dr. Kara explains how "Beating Heart" and "Small Incision" techniques are revolutionizing patient safety and recovery times.

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What Is Cardiology?

Cardiology is the medical specialty that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. These conditions—often grouped under the term cardiovascular disease—include coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, heart valve disorders, and high blood pressure. A cardiology department brings together specialists, advanced tests, and treatments to protect your heart health, manage emergencies, and support long-term care.

How Cardiology Treatment Work

  1. 1Evaluation
  2. 2Treatment
  3. 3Prevention

What does cardiology cover?

Cardiology deals with the entire cardiovascular system: the heart muscle, heart valves, electrical conduction system, and the arteries and veins that carry blood throughout the body. Cardiologists evaluate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, and leg swelling to determine whether they are caused by heart or vascular problems.

Common conditions managed in cardiology include:
  • Coronary artery disease and angina
  • Heart attacks (myocardial infarction) and their complications
  • Heart failure (weakened or stiff heart muscle)
  • Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), including atrial fibrillation
  • High blood pressure and high cholesterol
  • Heart valve disease (narrowed or leaky valves)
  • Congenital heart defects in adults
  • Peripheral artery disease and some aortic diseases

Cardiology vs. Cardiac Surgery

Cardiology is a medical (non-surgical) specialty, while cardiac surgery focuses on operations on the heart and major blood vessels. The two teams work closely together:

Cardiologists diagnose heart disease and prescribe medication
  • They perform catheter-based procedures such as angiography and stenting
  • They manage long-term follow-up and prevention
  • Cardiac surgeons perform open-heart and bypass operations
  • Surgeons repair or replace damaged heart valves
  • Together, both teams decide the best treatment path for each patient

When should you see a cardiologist?

  • See a cardiologist if you notice warning signs such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting, unexplained fatigue or leg swelling. A check-up is also wise if you have risk factors — high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of early heart disease — even without any symptoms.

How does cardiology support long-term heart health?

Beyond treatment, our cardiologists help you stay well with ongoing care — blood pressure and cholesterol control, medication follow-up, and personalized lifestyle and cardiac rehabilitation programs. The goal is not only to treat heart disease, but to prevent it and keep your heart strong for years to come.

What Services Do We Provide?

Our cardiology department offers complete heart care under one roof — from outpatient clinics and non-invasive tests (ECG, echocardiography, stress tests, Holter monitoring) to interventional procedures such as angiography and stenting. Our team guides you through every step, from accurate diagnosis to the right treatment.

Your Journey at Liv Hospital

1

Free Online Consultation

Share your reports and meet your cardiologist online — no obligation.

2

Personalized Plan & Quote

A tailored treatment plan with transparent, all-inclusive pricing.

3

Treatment in Istanbul

Care at our JCI-accredited heart center, with VIP transfers and translation support.

4

Follow-up & Aftercare

Post-treatment checks before you fly home, plus remote follow-up afterward.

What does cardiology care look like at Liv Hospital?

At a comprehensive center such as Liv Hospital Cardiology, patients can access emergency care, advanced diagnostics, interventional procedures, and rehabilitation under one roof. The department typically includes subspecialties such as interventional cardiology, heart failure and cardiomyopathy, electrophysiology (for rhythm problems), and imaging. Close collaboration with cardiac surgery, intensive care, and other departments supports care for complex cases, including acute coronary syndromes, valve disease, and congenital heart problems.

For international patients, medical records and previous test results can often be reviewed before arrival to plan a focused evaluation and treatment schedule. During your stay, consultations, tests, and procedures are organized efficiently, and you receive a clear summary of findings, medications, and follow-up recommendations to share with your doctors at home.

CARDIOLOGY

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

A heart attack is a plumbing problem in which blood flow to the heart is blocked, while cardiac arrest is an electrical problem in which the heart stops beating unexpectedly.

Why do heart valves need to be replaced?

Valves may need replacement if they become too tight (stenosis) to let blood through or too leaky (regurgitation) to hold blood back, causing the heart to overwork.

What is the ejection fraction?

The ejection fraction is the percentage of blood your heart pumps out with each contraction and is used to assess how well your heart pumps.

Can heart disease be reversed?

While some heart muscle damage is permanent, lifestyle changes and medications can halt the progression of the disease and, in some cases, improve arterial health.

What does a pacemaker actually do?

A pacemaker monitors the heart's natural rhythm and sends an electrical pulse to prompt a heartbeat if it detects that the heart is beating too slowly or missing beats.