The symptoms can include pain or discomfort in your chest (angina), shortness of breath, palpitations (where you can strongly feel your own heart beating), dizziness, fainting, or arrhythmia (an irregular heart beat).
If you do notice any of these symptoms, a cardiologist will want to check the electrical system of your heart, check any pacemakers or other implanted devices that you have, test your hearts ability to handle exercise, and check for any structural issues or obstructions in the blood vessels.
High risk factors of heart disease
It is also advised that you have regular heart health checks if you have high risk factors for heart disease, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Hypertension
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- Cardiac disease runs in your family
Our team of cardiologists can also work preventatively, to assess your risk of developing heart disease or a heart-related condition, and can develop a treatment plan for you that helps to you keep your heart healthy.
Some of the diagnostic methods we can recommend include cardiac MRI, ECG (electrocardiogram), echocardiogram, stress or exercise testing on a treadmill, or angiogram. We can also evaluate your need for, and if necessary implant, a cardiac device such as a pacemaker.
Other general cardiac diseases we diagnose and treat include heart murmur, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary oedema, atrial fibrilliation, coronary artery thrombosis or myocardial infarction (heart attack), congenital heart disease, and diseases of the arteries, such as atherosclerosis, arteritis, and atheroma. Please give us a call to make an appointment today to discuss any aspect of your heart health.
FAQ
The most common heart-related symptoms are chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and irregular heart beat.
It is a good idea to have your heart health checked regularly if you have high risk factors for heart disease. These include family history of heart issues, high blood pressure or hypertension, if you are diabetic, or smoke cigarettes.
Absolutely. Preventative check-ups when you are feeling well can help you assess any potential risks, and provide you with lifestyle advice that can keep you healthy.
