Cardiologists are doctors who have extra education and training in preventing, diagnosing and treating heart conditions. They are experts on the heart muscle itself and the arteries and veins that carry blood.
Heart surgery is the medical treatment of the disorders of the heart or greater vessels, and the surgeons performing them are called heart surgeons. Hear surgeries are intricate and need skilled, experienced hands for success.
Cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons work with doctors specializing in echocardiography, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology and radiology.
Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition that affects the major blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries are usually the cause of coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery disease symptoms may be different for men and women. For instance, men are more likely to have chest pain. Women are more likely to have other symptoms along with chest discomfort, such as shortness of breath, nausea and extreme fatigue.
Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include:
Noninvasive cardiologist
The most basic cardiologist is the noninvasive cardiologist. They specialize in diagnosing and treating heart and vascular issues.
Invasive cardiologist
The invasive cardiologist is the next step up from a noninvasive cardiologist. Invasive cardiologists can perform a cardiac catheterization to evaluate for blocked arteries and faulty heart valves.
Interventinoal cardiologist
An interventional cardiologist is the one who is trained to perform an angioplasty and stent placement.
Cardiothoracic surgeon
Depending on problems the other cardiologists find, you may need to see a cardiothoracic surgeon.