Which Heart Conditions Do We Treat?
Some of the heart conditions that our cardiologists at Placentia-Linda Hospital help treat include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Angina
- Aortic aneurysm
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Cardiac arrest
- Carotid artery disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmia
- Heart blocks
- Heart failure
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Pericarditis
- Peripheral aneurysm
- Pulmonary embolism
- Valve disorders
- Varicose veins
- Vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation)
What Cardiac Procedures Do We Offer?
When nonsurgical cardiovascular disease treatment options such as lifestyle changes and medications are not enough to treat cardiovascular disease, our cardiologists at Placentia-Linda Hospital may recommend surgical options such as the following:
- Angioplasty
- Cardiac catheterization
- Catheter ablation
- Heart transplant
- Heart valve surgery
- Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR)
Some of the cardiac devices we use include:
- Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD)
- Loop recorder placement
- Pacemakers
What Is a Cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing, preventing and treating various diseases and conditions that affect the heart, arteries and veins. These doctors typically complete at least 10 years of education and clinical training and must
pass a cardiology exam provided by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Why Should You See a Cardiologist?
Heart disease is still the top cause of death in the United States for both men and women. We recommend that you see a cardiologist if you are at an increased risk for a heart condition. Some of the risk factors for heart disease include the following:
- An unhealthy diet
- Clinical depression
- Excessive drinking of alcohol
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Insulin resistance or diabetes
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity or being overweight
- Old age
- Smoking
- Too much stress
We also recommend that you schedule annual heart check-ups so your cardiologist can monitor your heart health and prevent heart conditions from arising or getting worse.
What Are the Warning Symptoms of Heart Disease?
Heart disease does not happen overnight. It often develops over time, starting with early symptoms. Unfortunately, when you ignore these early signs, you may miss an opportunity to prevent the condition from getting worse. Please see a cardiologist as
soon as you experience some of the following warning signs and symptoms of heart disease:
- Ankle, leg or feet swelling
- Coughing or wheezing
- Fast or uneven heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Heartburn
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Lack or loss of coordination
- Loss of balance
- Narrowed blood vessels
- Shortness of breath
Meanwhile, please call 911 or ask someone to bring you to the emergency room if your symptoms are severe, as these may lead to a heart attack. These symptoms include the following:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fainting
- Nausea, lightheadedness or being unusually tired
- Pain or discomfort at the back, jaw, arm, neck or shoulder
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
How Do Cardiologists Diagnose Heart Disease?
During an initial assessment, your doctor may ask about your symptoms, medical history, ask your family history and perform a physical exam. Based on the results of your initial evaluation, your doctor may recommend further tests and screenings to help
diagnose your condition. These may include the following:
- Blood tests
- Catheter angiography
- Cholesterol checks
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise stress test
- Heart screening
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- MR angiography
- Venography
Know if Your Heart is Healthy
Some people don’t know that they have heart disease because they don’t experience any symptoms. To help prevent this from happening, we recommend that you regularly schedule a visit to a cardiologist. Taking our heart assessment may
also help you determine if you should see a cardiologist right away for a specific test or treatment.
Take the Heart Assessment
