Cardiologists are medical professionals who focus on the heart and blood vessels. They often see patients because they have abnormal heartbeats and rhythm problems, chest pain, high blood pressure, and many other issues attributed to the heart and circulatory system. Some cardiologists specialize in various areas, such as pediatrics or adult congenital heart disease. A cardiologist will treat coronary artery disease, heart failure, and valvular heart disease in most cases. But how do you know you need to see a doctor practicing cardiology in Land O Lakes? Here are some signs of cardiological conditions.
Chest Pain
The most common symptom of heart disease is chest pain or discomfort. This can occur because of angina when the heart does not get enough blood through coronary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart’s muscle tissue (angina pectoris). Other types of chest pain include those brought on by a heart attack – it is important to get chest pain diagnosed and treated by a cardiologist quickly.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is the medical term for difficulty breathing. Shortness of breath may occur when your heart is not pumping enough blood through your body due to issues with the valves in the heart (aortic stenosis) or the muscles not working correctly (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).
Sweating
When you are in a stressful situation, your body makes adrenaline, a hormone that helps your heart beat faster and enables the release of glucose from energy stores into the blood. When you increase adrenaline levels, you may experience excessive sweating or perspiring. This is brought on by an overactive nervous system (neurocardiogenic syncope), or it can occur because of a heart condition such as hyperthyroidism.
Dizziness and Fainting
When you go from lying down to sitting up too quickly, you may experience dizziness and lightheadedness. This side effect is due to the blood vessels in the legs compressing when you sit up after being in a reclined position. In some cases, this may be caused by a heart condition such as hyperaldosteronism or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Syncope
When you have syncope, you experience a loss of consciousness because your brain isn’t getting enough blood to function correctly. Syncope is often associated with fainting, but it can also be associated with seizures. There are many causes for this, including convulsions ( epilepsy), neurological issues (brain tumors), and heart conditions such as tachycardia.
Palpitations
Palpitations are sensations that feel like your heart skips a beat or flutters. People who have this condition often are aware of their heartbeat and notice it when they breathe deeply, cough or exercise. In some cases, palpitations may be brought on by medication such as caffeine, nicotine, and fluoroquinolones. Palpitations may also be caused by a heart condition such as hyperthyroidism.
Swollen Feet and Ankles
If you notice that your feet and ankles swell up when you stand or sit for long periods, it is vital to see a cardiologist. This symptom can be brought on by heart failure because the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body. If fluid builds up, it causes swelling in the tissues.
In summary, it is crucial to see a cardiologist if you or someone else experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness/fainting, syncope, palpitations, swelling in the feet and ankles (or other symptoms that may be attributed to heart disease). It is vital to get these signs diagnosed and treated when you notice them because they could be signs of a life-threatening condition.
