Cardiology is a medical specialty which focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating acquired and congenital defects and diseases of the heart. This specialty usually also involves the entire cardiovascular system – that is, the heart (cardio-) and blood vessels (-vascular).
If you have experienced unexplainable heart palpitations (i.e., a sudden chest-fluttering feeling that was not due to overactivity or stress, and lasted longer than a relatively brief moment), or if you have heart disease in your family history, then it is in your best interest to have an evaluation by an experienced cardiologist. Let’s talk about some of the main health conditions that heart doctors treat, and where you can go in northern New Jersey to see an outstanding cardiologist to help you keep your heart healthy.
Cardiologists Provide Treatment for Many Health Conditions
People see a cardiologist for symptoms and conditions such as:
- High blood pressure (hypertension), especially if it is not responding to medication
- Swollen legs and feet
- Shortness of breath
- Racing or slow heart rate
- Chest pains or a heavy feeling in the chest
- A family history of heart disease, or early death from a heart attack or stroke
If heart surgery is warranted, a heart surgeon can insert cardiac stents, perform heart-bypass surgeries, and replace damaged valves. These procedures can be done to treat everything from a heart attack to chest pains and shortness of breath.
Common Cardiovascular Conditions
A cardiologist frequently works with patients who have the following health issues in order to help them improve their heart and cardiovascular function and their overall well-being:
Hypertension
Impacting almost half of all American adults, hypertension – or high blood pressure – is diagnosed when the patient’s systolic blood pressure (the upper number) is over 130 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure (lower number) is higher than 80. Systolic refers to the pressure on the arteries when your heart beats, and diastolic refers to the pressure on the arteries in between beats. An increased blood pressure puts an individual at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a broad term that includes many different cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmia, heart muscle disease, heart infection, and congenital heart defects. Heart disease often develops when fatty plaque accumulates in the coronary arteries, and this is medically termed atherosclerosis. If these blood vessels are blocked or become too narrow, this can cause a heart attack, stroke, or angina.
Heart Attack
When a coronary artery is blocked by a clot or plaque (fatty buildup in the blood vessel), tissue death begins to occur in the heart muscle. Treatment may involve medication, lifestyle changes, and/or bypass surgery or stent placement to open up the arteries.
Stroke
If a blood clot disrupts blood flow to the brain, or if a blood vessel in the brain bleeds or bursts, a stroke occurs. Strokes can cause permanent disability, usually in one area of the body, or sometimes death. Treatment usually involves a cardiologist administering “clot-busting” medications or carotid artery stents.
Expert Cardiologist in Northern New Jersey
Here at Hudson MD Group, our highly trained cardiologists work with patients to create comprehensive treatment plans that work for them. We are a multispecialty medical practice dedicated to the primary care needs of adult patients.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (973) 705-4914 or contact us online here. We have convenient locations across the North Jersey area, and we look forward to serving you!
