It can be difficult to know when you need to see a Cardiologist, we explain the heightened risk factors for cardiovascular disease and symptoms of a heart condition to help you decide.
You will be recommended seeing a cardiologist if you have heightened risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- high cholesterol – can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.
- high blood pressure – known as hypertension, can increase your risk of a heart attack and stroke.
- diabetes - can cause damage to your blood vessels and may lead to a heart attack or a stroke.
- obesity - can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases such as heart attack, stroke and vascular dementia.
- family history of heart disease - heart and circulatory diseases can run in families.
- ethnicity - can increase your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. South Asian, African, or African Caribbean ethnicity in the UK can increase your risk of developing some heart and circulatory diseases compared to white Europeans.
- smoking - a huge risk factor for heart disease. Smoking lowers the flow of oxygen to your heart and increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood clotting as well as damages the cells lining your arteries.
- physical inactivity – your heart is a muscle, and like any other muscle it needs physical activity to help it work properly.
If you have symptoms of a heart condition, you may be referred to a cardiologist. These symptoms are often generic for a number of other conditions. They include:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain and tightness
- palpitations, an awareness of your heart beating unusually, such as pounding, fluttering or irregularity, could mean you have an arrhythmia
- sweating, nausea, dizziness or fainting
- swollen feet and legs
- pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms
- weakness or fatigue
- high blood pressure
You will need cardiology care if you have a cardiac event, such as a heart attack. You may then require ongoing cardiology monitoring once the emergency passes.
You may also choose to see a cardiologist for cardiovascular screening to help assess your risk of cardiovascular disease, detect a heart condition at its earliest and most treatable stage, and to gain preventative advice for heart disease. A range of tests are used to assess the health and functionality of different areas of your heart.
Cardiology Treatment at Ramsay Health Care
Ramsay Health Care UK is pleased to offer a comprehensive cardiology service for our patients. We arrange convenient appointments with a leading consultant cardiologist and provide access to state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and tests without waiting. Our service is supported by expert and experienced specialist nurses, and physiotherapists.
Whether you need a heart health check, a diagnosis of heart condition symptoms, high blood pressure management or treatment for a heart condition, you can be assured that you will receive the very best of care and advice.
We perform cardiovascular screening to assess your cardiovascular risk, heart age and recommend heart disease prevention strategies
With Ramsay Health Care UK your symptoms will be assessed and a diagnosis provided rapidly, to allow an individual treatment plan to be developed to optimally manage your heart condition. Find out more here.