Cardiologists

A cardiologist local  is a physician with special training and skill in finding, treating and preventing diseases of the heart like atrial fibrilation cholesterol COPD and blood vessels.  Local Cardiologists work with patients to treat conditions including coronary artery heart  disease, heart attack, atrial fibrillation and irregular heart rhythm. A cardiologist can help you manage risk through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.

If you've had a cardiac event, a cardiologist will play a role in recovery after surgery, cardiac rehab and heart medications. Cardiac ablation (also known as catheter ablation or radiofrequency ablation) is a surgical procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to correct arrhythmias, which are problems with your heart’s rhythm. In a normal heart, cells create electrical signals that make the upper and lower chambers of your heart beat regularly. If you have atrial fibrillation (a heart arrythmia), abnormal cells affect the electrical signals and cause rapid or irregular heartbeats. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat, also called an arrhythmia, that can increase your risk of heart failure, stroke, blood clots and other heart conditions

Echocardiography is a form of Cardiology that can help with  A normal heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat, but if you have atrial fibrillation, the atria (upper chambers) beat out of sync with the ventricles (lower chambers). This can cause blood to pool in your atria, causing blood clots that travel to your brain and cause a stroke. There are many reasons why people want to quit smoking. It increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and certain eye diseases. It affects your respiratory health, it’s expensive and it smells bad. Quitting smoking can be a huge challenge for people, whether they’ve smoked for one year or 20.

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in North America. A heart attack is usually the result of coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. If you have coronary heart disease, plaque builds up inside your coronary arteries, eventually blocking the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. This buildup is called atherosclerosis, and the blood is usually cut off when an artery is blocked by a blood clot, causing a heart attack. Compliance to any prescribed treatment is the number one thing you can do to ensure positive changes and optimal treatment outcomes and seeinga local cardiologist can often help with Research Findings ..

The Canadian Heart Rhythm Society mission is to improve the care of patients through research, advocacy, education and development of best practices in the field of heart rhythm disorders.

Heart attack symptoms include:

• Dizziness 
• Shortness of breath 
• Pressure, tightness or pain in the chest or arms (sometimes this feeling spreads to other areas of the body)
• Sweating 
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting

Women may have a heart attack without feeling any chest pressure. It's also important to remember that not everyone will experience the same symptoms or the same severity of symptoms. You may feel symptoms come on suddenly, or have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. If you suspect you're having a heart attack, the earlier you seek emergency medical help the better. If blood flow is cut off for too long, the heart muscle can die.

Heart Attack Diagnosis & Treatment

Heart attack diagnosis usually involves an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of your heart, and blood tests to measure the presence of certain enzymes. Other heart attack tests include chest x-ray, cardiac MRI, echocardiogram and angiogram. Emergency heart attack treatment may include CPR if the person stops breathing, using manual chest compressions or a defibrillator. Other treatments include aspirin to reduce clotting, thrombolytics (also called clotbusters), heparin, nitroglycerin and antiplatelet agents. If surgery is required, you might undergo coronary artery bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty and stenting. As you recover from a heart attack, you will start a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Compliance to any prescribed treatment is the number one thing you can do to ensure positive changes and optimal treatment outcomes and seeinga local cardiologist can often help..

Most of these programs start while you’re in the hospital and continue for weeks or months afterwards. A cardiac rehabilitation program focuses on exercise, education and lifestyle changes. Many cardiac rehabilitation programs also offer emotional support following a heart attack. People who participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program are less likely to have another heart attack or to experience complications from a heart attack.

Talk to your cardiologist who may bea member of Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) if you'd like more information on heart attacks.

Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on heart health.

Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider

• Heart attack symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, tightness or pain in the chest or arms, sweating and nausea or vomiting.

• Heart attack diagnosis usually involves an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of your heart, and blood tests to measure the presence of certain enzymes.

• If surgery is required, you might undergo coronary artery bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty and stenting.

• Medications to treat a heart attack may include aspirin to reduce clotting, thrombolytics (also called clotbusters), heparin, nitroglycerin and antiplatelet agents.

• People who participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program are less likely to have another heart attack or to experience complications from a heart attack.

Adherence:
Adhering to your medications, prescribed exercises or lifestyle changes (such as dietary changes, smoking cessation, reduced alcohol consumption, etc.) is essential to improving health outcomes successfully. Compliance to any prescribed treatment is the number one thing you can do to ensure positive changes and optimal treatment outcomes and seeinga local cardiologist can often help..

Medications prescribed for heart failure may include:

1. ACE inhibitors or ARBs (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers): These drugs help to relax blood vessels, reduce fluid buildup, and improve blood flow.

2. Beta blockers: These medications slow down the heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and improve the heart's pumping ability.

3. Diuretics: Also known as water pills, diuretics help the body eliminate excess fluid, reducing swelling and relieving symptoms of fluid retention.

4. Aldosterone antagonists: These drugs help in blocking the effects of a hormone called aldosterone, which can contribute to fluid buildup and heart damage.

5. Digoxin: It strengthens the heart muscle contractions and helps control heart rate.

In addition to medications, adopting a healthy lifestyle is crucial in managing heart failure. Some lifestyle changes that can be beneficial include:

1. Following a heart-healthy diet: This includes consuming a balanced diet low in sodium, saturated fats, and cholesterol while incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

2. Engaging in regular physical activity: Exercise can improve heart function, increase stamina, and strengthen the cardiovascular system. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine an appropriate exercise plan.

3. Maintaining a healthy weight: Losing excess weight, if necessary, can reduce the strain on the heart and improve overall cardiovascular health.

4. Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco: Alcohol can worsen heart failure symptoms, and smoking is detrimental to heart health. It is best to avoid or minimize alcohol consumption and quit smoking altogether.

5. Managing stress: Finding healthy coping mechanisms and stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies, can positively impact overall well-being and heart health.

Having a strong support system, including understanding family and friends, can also make a significant difference in managing heart failure. Emotional support, assistance with medication management, and encouragement to adhere to a healthy lifestyle can all contribute to a better quality of life for someone with heart failure.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in North America. A heart attack, usually resulting from coronary artery disease, occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, leading to a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. However, it's important to note that not everyone experiences the same symptoms or severity.

Diagnosis of a heart attack involves tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, chest x-ray, cardiac MRI, echocardiogram, and angiogram. Treatment options include CPR, medications like aspirin, thrombolytics, heparin, nitroglycerin, and antiplatelet agents. In some cases, surgical interventions such as coronary artery bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty with stenting may be required.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are essential for recovery after a heart attack. These programs focus on exercise, education, and lifestyle changes to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of future complications. Adherence to prescribed treatments, medications, and lifestyle changes is crucial for positive outcomes in heart health.

If you have concerns or would like more information on heart attacks, it is recommended to consult with a cardiologist. They can provide further guidance and support in managing your heart health.

Useful Resources

Canada

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

British Columbia

Alberta    

Saskatchewan    

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Yukon    

Northwest Territories

Nunavut

United States of America

National Provider Identifier (NPI)