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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.
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The heart is a powerful muscle that acts as the body’s central pump. It circulates blood, delivering essential oxygen and nutrients to all organs and tissues. This circulatory network, made of arteries (which carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart) and veins (which return blood to the heart), is known as the cardiovascular system. A cardiologist’s primary goal is to ensure this vital system functions correctly.
Cardiology addresses a wide range of conditions, including:
While some heart conditions are silent, many present apparent symptoms. It is critical to seek medical attention if you experience:
Many heart conditions are caused by atherosclerosis, the gradual buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries. A combination of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors can accelerate this process.
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A precise cardiac diagnosis is essential to determine the proper treatment. The process begins with a medical history and physical exam. A cardiologist uses non-invasive tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to assess the heart’s electrical rhythm and an echocardiogram (ultrasound) to evaluate its structure and pumping function. Blood tests, such as those for cardiac troponin, can confirm a heart attack. For complex cases, a stress test evaluates heart function during exercise, while a cardiac catheterization (angiogram) provides a definitive map of coronary artery blockages.
The first steps in diagnosis are typically painless and straightforward:
Holter Monitor: A portable ECG device worn for 24-48 hours to capture intermittent arrhythmias.
To see how the heart performs under pressure, a doctor may order a stress test.
This is the “gold standard” for diagnosing coronary artery disease. It is a minimally invasive procedure where a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is guided through an artery (in the wrist or groin) to the heart. A special dye is injected, and X-rays are taken. This angiogram provides a detailed “road map” of the coronary arteries, showing the exact location and severity of any blockages.
Cardiology treatment aims to manage symptoms, halt disease progression, and prevent major events such as heart attacks. The foundation is often lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and medications (such as statins for cholesterol or beta-blockers for blood pressure). When blockages are severe, interventional cardiologists perform procedures like angioplasty and stenting. For more extensive disease, cardiac surgeons may perform coronary artery bypass surgery or valve replacement.
The first line of defense against heart disease involves controlling risk factors.
For patients with blocked arteries, an interventional cardiologist can perform a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty. During this procedure (often done immediately after a diagnostic angiogram), a small balloon is used to open the blocked artery. In most cases, a small, expandable mesh tube called a stent is then placed to keep the artery open.
At Liv Hospital, our Cardiology department provides comprehensive heart care, from prevention to advanced surgical intervention. Our “Heart Team” approach brings together cardiologists, interventional specialists, and cardiac surgeons to review each case. This ensures patients receive a personalized, integrated treatment plan. We are equipped with the latest-generation catheterization labs and hybrid operating rooms, allowing us to perform complex procedures with precision and minimally invasive techniques.
Patient care is a collaborative effort. Our “Heart Team,” which includes cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists, and cardiac anesthesiologists, meets to review complex patient cases. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all treatment options are considered, and the patient receives the optimal care plan, whether it involves medication, a minimally invasive procedure, or complex surgery.
Our center is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic technology. This includes 3D/4D echocardiography for superior imaging, cardiac MR for detailed structural assessment, and advanced catheterization labs for high-precision stenting. Our hybrid operating rooms allow our teams to perform combined interventional and surgical procedures in a single session, increasing patient safety and reducing recovery time.
Our center is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic technology. This includes 3D/4D echocardiography for superior imaging, cardiac MR for detailed structural assessment, and advanced catheterization labs for high-precision stenting. Our hybrid operating rooms allow our teams to perform combined interventional and surgical procedures in a single session, increasing patient safety and reducing recovery time.
To provide focused, long-term care, we offer specialized clinics for patients with specific needs. These include our:
A Cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions using medication and minimally invasive procedures (like catheterization). A Cardiac Surgeon performs open-heart surgeries, such as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) or valve replacements, when the condition is too complex for less invasive methods.
Symptoms can vary, but critical warning signs include chest pain (pressure, tightness, or squeezing), shortness of breath, pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw, cold sweats, dizziness, and unusual fatigue. If you experience these, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart. It provides detailed moving images of the heart’s structure, allowing doctors to see how well the chambers are pumping and how the valves are functioning.
This procedure is considered the “gold standard” for diagnosing coronary artery disease. A thin tube (catheter) is inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin and guided to the heart. Dye is injected to make the arteries visible on X-rays, creating a precise “road map” of any blockages.
A stent is a small, expandable mesh tube used to keep a blocked artery open. It is placed during a procedure called Angioplasty. A small balloon is inflated to open the blockage, and the stent is left in place to support the arterial wall and maintain blood flow.
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