The heart is a complex and robust organ in our body, and you require a healthy heart for a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, our sedentary lifestyle, genetics, and eating habits have led to heart problems.
To determine your heart health, a cardiologist may check the lung function test, medical records, blood pressure, and specialized tests such as X-rays, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood tests.
The Invasive Cardiology Department at Aster is one of the best in the field of invasive cardiology procedures and diagnostics. With superior quality testing equipment, Aster is known to provide the best management protocols and services.
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
Is a cardiologist a surgeon?
A cardiologist is a specialist in cardiology but not a surgeon.
Can lifestyle modification improve cardiac health?
A diet with low saturated and trans fats and low amounts of sodium is good for the heart, along with lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.
What does an invasive cardiologist do?
An invasive cardiologist is qualified to diagnose and treat cardiac conditions Such as congestive heart disease, congestive heart failure, vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and valvular disease.
What is the specialized training an invasive cardiologist has to do?
An invasive cardiologist is a doctor, so they have to go to medical school for 4 years, and 3 years of residency have to be cleared, followed by another 3 years of fellowship. For specialized training, another 1–2 years of cardiology fellowship is needed.
Who is a cardiac surgeon?
A cardiac surgeon is a specialist who performs actual physical heart surgeries.
Which exercises are suitable for patients with cardiac conditions?
When the cardiologist clears a patient and gives a go-ahead for exercising, the recommended exercises can involve swimming, walking, and yoga.
What tests will an invasive cardiologist do on the patient's first visit?
The cardiologist may ask for minimally invasive tests such as X-rays and blood tests, with or without an ECG, to determine the abnormality in the heart.
When is the invasive cardiologist involved in the patient's care, diagnosis, and treatment?
When a patient is brought into the emergency with a stroke or heart attack, an invasive cardiologist is involved immediately.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
There are many cardiac conditions, but the common one is coronary artery disease, which causes blockage of arteries and eventually leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack).
A cardiologist can select one of the following three techniques (types of cardiology) to identify and treat heart conditions:
Invasive cardiology
This type of cardiological diagnosis procedure involves minimal (open) invasive surgery to identify and treat structural and electrical malfunction in the heart.
The standard type of invasive cardiology is angioplasty and stenting. These techniques go hand-in-hand with angioplasty, which opens the coronary artery, narrowed by the fatty plaque, and a metallic stent (stenting) is placed to keep the artery open.
Non-invasive cardiology
Invasive tools such as needles, instruments, and fluids are not used to identify the abnormality in the heart.
The techniques utilized for the diagnosis include nuclear cardiology, stress tests, CT scans, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac electrophysiology, and heart monitors such as the Holter monitor to identify the existing condition or the risk factor.
Once the condition is identified, the cardiologist can recommend lifestyle changes and medication to improve the heart's health.
Interventional cardiology
The base of this type of cardiology is the use of specialized catheter-based techniques to diagnose and treat vascular diseases, coronary artery diseases, congenital heart defects, and structural defects of the heart.
Various imaging techniques and diagnostic tools are used to measure cardiovascular functions, such as blood flow in different chambers of the heart and blood pressure. Conditions such as heart valve disease, peripheral vascular disease, and coronary artery disease are diagnosed using this technique.
Invasive Diagnostic
Test Transesophageal echocardiogram
When there is a clinical need for a clear picture of the heart, this method is adopted. A flexible probe mounted with a transducer is inserted into the esophagus for ultrasound imaging of the heart.
Balloon angioplasty
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is another name for this procedure, used to treat blockage in the coronary arteries. A catheter with a small balloon is inserted into the artery blocked by fatty plaque. When the artery is located, the balloon is inflated, which leads to dilation of the narrowed vessel, and blood flow is restored to the heart muscle.
Cardiac catheterization
A long, thin tube is inserted into the heart's left ventricle with a dye injected while taking an X- ray picture of the heart. This procedure helps to confirm the presence or absence of a blockage in the cardiac artery with overall heart muscle function.
Atherectomy
This procedure is used to treat blocked arteries with the help of devices like a rotating drill or a cutter to widen the narrowed artery using a catheter. Peripheral angiogram A catheter is placed in the femoral artery to visualize the blockage in the extremity, and a stent can be set when necessary.
Coronary stent
A wire mesh is placed in the narrowed coronary artery with a catheter to keep it open. The stent is coated with medication chiefly to prevent the artery from closing again.
Implantable loop recorder (ILR)
This is a thumb-sized device placed under the skin for recurrent palpitations, which could not be diagnosed with an external loop. This device monitors heart rhythm continuously, and the cardiologist can analyze the rhythms.
Electrophysiology study (EP study)
Special catheters are placed on the arm, leg, or neck to examine the electric properties of the heart, such as palpitations and irregular heartbeats.
Once the heart abnormality is identified, the cardiologist can plan a suitable surgical approach to rectify the condition with medication and lifestyle modification.
Benefits of Invasive Cardiology
- Less expensive than traditional heart surgery.
- Less scarring and pain because a single incision is made to insert the catheter.
- Recovery time is short compared to other surgical procedures.
- Chest pain is relieved and blocked arteries are widened, leading to decreased episodes of heart attack.
