FAQ
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If a person has symptoms of a heart condition, their physician may refer them to a cardiologist.
Symptoms that can indicate a heart problem include:
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- chest pains
- changes in heart rate or rhythm
- high blood pressure
A cardiologist will review a patient’s medical history and carry out a physical examination.
They may check the person’s weight, heart, lungs, blood pressure, and blood vessels, and carry out some tests.
An interventional cardiologist may carry out procedures such as angioplasties, stenting, valvuloplasties, congenital heart defect corrections, and coronary thrombectomies.
Patients are often referred to a cardiologist by their physician, but they may wish to choose their own specialist.
The American Heart Association (AHA) advises people to check that their cardiologist is board certified. Patients can check this through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).
It is also important to choose a doctor whose communication style suits them.
If the cardiologist recommends a treatment that seems risky or expensive, or if the patient is not sure why they need this treatment, the AHA suggest looking for a second opinion.