Cardiology

Cardiology is the science of detecting, treating, and monitoring heart and vascular diseases. It also focuses on preventing these diseases from occurring. The heart and blood vessels make up the system in our body that ensures blood circulation, called the “cardiovascular system.” Cardiologists closely deal with diseases in this system and work to restore patients’ health.

In the past, cardiology was considered a branch of internal medicine. As medicine developed and new technologies emerged, heart diseases became more significant. For this reason, cardiology began to be recognized as a separate field of science. Through education, cardiologists become highly knowledgeable and skilled in detecting and treating heart and vascular diseases.

A cardiologist is a knowledgeable and experienced doctor who specializes in issues related to your heart and blood vessels. These doctors help identify, treat, prevent, and monitor such problems.

Cardiologists carefully examine all issues concerning their patients' heart and vascular health. They strive to fully understand the condition and make the most accurate diagnosis. Then, they prepare the most suitable treatment plan for each individual patient.

Cardiology covers a wide and diverse range of diseases related to the health of the heart and blood vessels. The most important function of the heart is to continuously pump blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the entire body.

The main diseases that cardiology deals with are as follows:

• Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias): This is when the heart beats differently than normal (too fast, too slow, or irregularly). Heart rhythm disorders can cause the heart to beat abnormally, leading to palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.
• Coronary artery diseases: These are diseases that develop as a result of blockage or narrowing of the arteries (coronary arteries) that supply blood to the heart. Coronary artery diseases can cause chest pain (angina pectoris) and, most importantly, heart attack (myocardial infarction).
• Heart failure: Heart failure means that the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This may be due to weakening or stiffening of the heart muscle. Heart failure presents with noticeable and distressing symptoms such as shortness of breath, edema (swelling), fatigue, and weakness.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): This is when the blood pressure in the arteries is higher than normal. It can cause serious problems such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
• Heart valve diseases: These occur when there are problems in the structure or function of the heart valves. Heart valve diseases may appear as valve stenosis or valve insufficiency and can lead to heart failure.
• Congenital heart diseases: These are heart defects present at birth (heart holes, vascular anomalies).
• Aortic diseases: Aortic diseases include various conditions affecting the aorta, the largest artery in the body. Since the aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, its health is of vital importance.
• Cardiomyopathy: This refers to a group of diseases that directly affect the heart muscle. These diseases cause structural and functional abnormalities in the heart muscle, negatively impacting the heart’s ability to pump blood.

Other important diseases in cardiology include:

• Ischemic heart diseases
• Atherosclerotic heart diseases
• Acute coronary syndrome
• Angina pectoris
• Tricuspid stenosis
• Aortic insufficiency
• Mitral valve diseases
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart)
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lung arteries)
• Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle diseases)
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
• Pericardial effusion (fluid accumulation in the heart’s membrane)
• Cardiac tamponade (compression of the heart due to fluid buildup around it)
• Heart tumors
• Peripheral artery diseases (leg artery diseases)
• Cardiac arrest (heart stoppage)
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (heart rhythm disorder)
• Atrial myxoma (heart tumor)
• Heart attack heart failur

Heart and vascular diseases can manifest with a variety of, sometimes subtle, symptoms. These symptoms may vary from person to person, but the most common and important ones to watch for include:

• Chest pain: Usually occurs during physical activity or under stress. This pain may be felt as tightness, pressure, burning, or stabbing in the chest.
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea): Difficulty breathing or easy fatigability that occurs with exertion or at rest.
• Palpitations: Feeling the heartbeat as fast, irregular, forceful, or uncomfortable.
• Fainting (syncope): Temporary loss of consciousness, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Edema: Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen, which may indicate excessive fluid accumulation in the body.
• Easy fatigue: Experiencing more fatigue or weakness than expected during normal daily activities.
• Nocturia: Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially waking up at night to urinate.
• Unintentional weight loss: Unexplained weight loss, which can occur particularly in heart failure or certain heart valve diseases.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is vital to consult a cardiologist without delay.

Accurate diagnosis of heart and vascular diseases is important. It is necessary to understand what the condition is and choose the best treatment method for the patient. Therefore, doctors utilize various diagnostic methods using advanced technologies. These methods help to examine the heart’s structure, function, blood circulation, and electrical signals in detail.

The most commonly used and indispensable diagnostic methods in modern cardiology are as follows:

ECG is a simple yet vital test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The heart muscle generates electrical signals to contract and relax. These signals are detected using small metal electrodes attached to the body and then recorded on a graph.

ECG quickly identifies heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), heart muscle damage (heart attack), and problems in the heart’s electrical system, playing an important role in diagnosis.

ECHO is a non-invasive method that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to visualize the heart’s structure and functions in real time. It operates similarly to the ultrasound technology used during pregnancy.

During ECHO, a gel is applied to the chest area, and a device called a probe is used. The probe sends sound waves to the heart, and the reflected waves produce moving images of the heart.

Echocardiographic examination evaluates the condition of the heart valves and heart muscle. It also measures the size of the heart chambers and the heart’s pumping ability (systolic function). This examination is an essential tool for understanding heart health and is indispensable in diagnosing conditions such as heart failure and heart valve diseases.

Stress tests measure how the heart responds to exercise or medication. These tests provide important information about the heart’s endurance. They help determine whether the heart rate increases appropriately when the heart is under stress, even if it functions normally at rest. Typically, the patient walks on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bike while EKG and blood pressure are continuously monitored. For patients unable to exercise, stimulating medications can be administered intravenously. Stress tests are important for detecting narrowing in the coronary arteries (ischemia), evaluating the heart’s exercise tolerance, and identifying heart rhythm disorders.

Cardiac MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create high-resolution images of the heart and surrounding tissues. These tissues include major blood vessels and the pericardium. The images are three-dimensional. The patient is placed inside a special machine and asked to remain still during the procedure.

MRI is an effective imaging technique for thoroughly examining the heart’s structure. It also provides detailed visualization of blood flow, contraction, and relaxation movements. It can be used to assess heart muscle damage (post-heart attack) and to examine cardiac tumors.

Cardiac CT uses X-rays and advanced computer technology to create detailed cross-sectional (sliced) images of body structures. The patient lies on a table and may be asked to hold their breath briefly while passing through the scanner. CT is important for assessing calcification in the coronary arteries (coronary calcium score) and narrowing (coronary CT angiography). It also provides valuable information about aortic diseases and pulmonary vascular conditions.

Angiography is an invasive procedure used to directly and in detail visualize the heart vessels, especially the coronary arteries. This test is more complex compared to other methods.

The doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into the heart through the groin or arm. A special contrast dye is delivered through this catheter, allowing X-ray images of the heart vessels to be obtained.

Angiography is considered the "gold standard" for accurately detecting blockages and narrowing in the heart vessels. It also enables the application of treatments such as angioplasty (balloon vessel dilation) and stent placement.

Blood pressure Holter is a portable device that automatically measures blood pressure throughout the day, typically for 24 hours. This device takes measurements at specific intervals and records the results.

A cuff is placed on your arm, connected to a small recording device. This device regularly records your blood pressure values during daily activities.

Blood pressure Holter provides important information for diagnosing hypertension and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. It also examines blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day.

These modern diagnostic methods help in understanding heart and vascular diseases. Doctors can make accurate diagnoses and offer patients the most appropriate treatment options.

Cardiology uses various and effective methods in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases. Treatment methods are determined according to the type and severity of the disease. Cardiologists also consider the patient’s overall health and age. A personalized plan is prepared for each patient.

The main cardiology treatment methods are as follows:

• Medication Therapy: For the treatment of heart failure, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia), coronary artery diseases, and other heart conditions, various and powerful medications selected specifically for you are used.
• Lifestyle Changes: You should make certain changes to protect the health of your heart. These changes help reduce your risk of heart disease.

Interventional cardiology involves non-surgical or minimally invasive (small incision) techniques that cause minimal harm to the patient. Patients experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a faster recovery process.

Various modern interventional cardiology methods include:

Angioplasty (Balloon Angioplasty): A method used to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
Stent Placement: A metal mesh is placed inside the artery to prevent it from narrowing again.
Balloon Valvuloplasty: A method used to open narrowed heart valves.
Pacemaker Implantation: Placement of a device to regulate abnormal heart rhythms.
Ablation (Arrhythmia Treatment): A method to destroy abnormal electrical signals that cause heart rhythm disorders.
ASD/VSD Closure: Non-surgical closure of congenital heart defects (atrial septal defect/ventricular septal defect).

These treatment options can help protect your heart health and improve your overall well-being.

Surgical treatment options play an important role in the treatment of various heart diseases. These options are carefully evaluated by cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. The treatment is planned specifically for each patient.

Some heart diseases that may require surgical intervention include:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): New vessels are added to blocked or narrowed arteries supplying blood to your heart. This surgery ensures that your heart muscle receives sufficient blood.
• Heart Valve Surgery: The repair of damaged or malfunctioning valves in your heart, or their replacement with a new valve.
• Aortic Surgery: Surgical correction of issues such as enlargements (aneurysms) or tears in the aorta.
• Heart Transplant: In cases of advanced heart failure, when other treatment methods are insufficient, the diseased heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart.

Cardiology deals with conditions such as heart failure, heart attack (myocardial infarction), hypertension (high blood pressure), and heart valve diseases. It also covers heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), congenital heart diseases, and coronary artery diseases. Cardiology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular diseases.

Cardiovascular surgery and cardiology are important medical fields that address issues related to the heart and blood circulation. However, cardiovascular surgery is a specialty that helps you in situations where surgery is required.

Cardiology is a medical field that does not require surgical intervention. In this field, medication and lifestyle changes are recommended. Additionally, interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting can be performed. Treatment is carried out using other medical methods.

Cardiologists examine the causes of heart and vascular diseases. They make the most accurate diagnosis and determine the most suitable treatment method for the patient.

Cardiologists use various treatment methods to improve patients' heart and vascular health. These methods include medication, lifestyle changes, and interventional treatments. Interventional treatments include procedures such as angioplasty and stent placement. Additionally, they collaborate with cardiac surgeons to perform surgical treatments when necessary.

It is recommended that individuals with risk factors for heart disease undergo regular cardiological check-ups. These risk factors include:

• Family history of heart disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle

These individuals should consult a cardiology specialist.

Cardiology is concerned with protecting and improving the health of your heart and blood vessels. This field identifies and treats heart and vascular problems and is an important specialty in modern medicine.

Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and healthy lifestyle choices are crucial in preventing heart and vascular diseases. These factors also help in controlling and managing existing conditions and play a significant role in improving quality of life.

If you have any concerns about your heart or blood vessels, see a cardiologist immediately. If you have a family history of heart disease, your risk is higher. Have your heart checked regularly. Don’t waste time.

Remember, taking good care of your heart means taking good care of your life, your most valuable possession.