A cardiologist specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels.

You should see a cardiologist if you experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, or if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease.

An interventional cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases through catheter-based procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting.

You should see an interventional cardiologist if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, peripheral artery disease, or if your primary care physician or cardiologist recommends interventional treatment.

Interventional cardiologists perform procedures such as angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy, thrombectomy, and catheter ablation, among others.

The heart comprises four primary valves, and among them is the aortic valve, responsible for preventing the backflow of pumped blood from the left ventricle. When this valve is afflicted with a condition, it is referred to as aortic valve disease. While the aortic valve is typically tricuspid, some individuals may have a bicuspid valve from birth. It’s noteworthy that bicuspid aortic valves tend to develop diseases earlier than their tricuspid counterparts.

The aortic valve may experience either leakage, known as aortic regurgitation, or narrowing, termed aortic stenosis. Diseases related to the bicuspid valve tend to manifest earlier, and it can also be susceptible to disease resulting from childhood infections. On the other hand, aortic stenosis is typically associated with aging and is characterized by valve degeneration, often attributed to the deposition of calcium.

In the past, open-heart surgery was the conventional method for treating aortic valve disease. However, as aortic stenosis is predominantly a condition of old age, many individuals may not be suitable candidates for surgery. For patients deemed high risk for surgical intervention, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) now stands as a highly viable alternative.

TAVI represents the latest approach for addressing aortic stenosis in patients. This procedure involves replacing the aortic valve without the need for chest opening; instead, it is performed through minimally invasive keyhole surgery conducted via the leg artery, akin to the methodology used in angioplasty.

In the past, surgically replaced valves were either metallic or tissue-based. If the prior valve is a tissue valve, TAVI is a feasible option.

TAVI valve is a biological tissue valve.

No, the patient is not put on heart lung machine.

95% of the time general anesthesia will not be given to the patient.

Following TAVI, the patient is promptly transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). On the subsequent day, a thorough assessment is conducted, and if the conditions are favorable, the patient is encouraged to walk and monitored. Upon confirming stability, the patient is then moved to a regular room. Observation continues for an additional day before the patient is deemed fit for discharge and can return home.

Smoking harms the endothelium of blood vessels, enhances the accumulation of fatty deposits in arteries, elevates the tendency for blood clot formation, negatively impacts blood lipid levels, and triggers coronary artery spasms. Additionally, nicotine from smoking accelerates heart rate and raises blood pressure.

The signs of a heart attack in men typically include intense chest pain, discomfort in the left arm or jaw, and difficulty breathing. In contrast, women may exhibit similar symptoms, but the pain can be more widespread, extending to the shoulders, neck, arms, abdomen, and even the back. A woman might perceive the pain more akin to indigestion, and it may not be constant. Some women may not experience pain but instead report unexplained anxiety, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, and cold sweats. Notably, a woman’s heart attack might be preceded by unexplained fatigue. Moreover, women tend to have more severe initial heart attacks that, unfortunately, more frequently result in fatalities compared to men.

Treatment options for coronary heart disease (CHD) encompass lifestyle modifications and, if necessary, medications and specific medical procedures. Adopting a healthy diet can aid in preventing or reducing high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol levels, facilitating the maintenance of a healthy weight. Incorporating physical activity, stress management, and quitting smoking are essential lifestyle changes. If lifestyle adjustments prove insufficient, medications may be prescribed to alleviate CHD symptoms, reduce the heart’s workload, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, prevent blood clots, and potentially delay the need for procedures or surgery. In cases where interventions are required, both angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are employed to address blocked coronary arteries. The choice between these treatments can be discussed with your doctor based on your specific situation.

Angioplasty is a non-surgical intervention designed to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. It involves the insertion of a thin, flexible tube equipped with a balloon or similar device through a blood vessel, directing it to the affected coronary artery. Once positioned, the balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the artery wall, restoring normal blood flow. During the procedure, the doctor may also place a small mesh tube known as a stent in the artery. This stent serves to prevent future blockages in the months or years following angioplasty. Stents come in two categories: bare-metal stents and drug-eluting stents. The latter, being a newer generation, is coated with medication that is gradually released to impede the growth of scar tissue in the artery lining. This helps maintain the artery’s smoothness and openness, ensuring optimal blood flow.

In the process of diagnosis, your doctor will inquire about your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. Subsequently, based on this information, your doctor may recommend tests to assess the health of your arteries. The most prevalent diagnostic tests include:

ECG (Electrocardiogram)
ECHO (Echocardiogram)
Stress Test
Angiogram
CT Scan
Magnetic Resonance
Angiography (MRA)

Frequently misconstrued as a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is distinct but can occur in individuals who have survived a heart attack. A heart attack arises from a circulatory or plumbing issue within the heart, resulting from blockages in one or more arteries, impeding the heart’s access to oxygen-rich blood. If the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen, it becomes damaged. Risk factors for a heart attack encompass high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, diabetes, and a family history of heart attacks. Symptoms of a heart attack often include chest pressure, sweating, pain radiating to the arms, shortness of breath, and nausea. In contrast, sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem affecting the heart, leading to a dangerously fast heart rhythm. It results from the heart’s electrical malfunction, causing a halt in blood flow to the body and brain. Risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest include a low ejection fraction, heart failure, a history of a previous heart attack, or a family history of SCA. Unlike a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest often occurs without warning. In some cases, other signs and symptoms may precede SCA, such as fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations, or vomiting.