Cardiology

What is cardiology?

Cardiology is concerned with the cardiovascular system – the heart and vessels (arteries and veins) – and the prevention and treatment of disorders and diseases that affect it. This can include high blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and more. A cardiologist may be called upon to intervene urgently, particularly in the event of cardiac arrest.

When to see a cardiologist

With the exception of emergencies, the patient will be referred to a cardiologist by their GP, if deemed necessary. In cardiology, prevention is key, particularly for those at risk, such as diabetics, overweight patients, patients with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, smokers, etc. Today, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women in France – even ahead of cancer.

What does a cardiologist do?

The cardiologist questions patients on their lifestyle and medical and family history. They perform cardiac and pulmonary examinations and measure blood pressure – the greater the risk, the more thorough the examinations. The cardiologist may also perform an electrocardiogram to visualise heart rate and detect anomalies. They may also conduct an exercise tolerance (stress) test, and if necessary, recommend additional testing such as a cardiac and/or vascular ultrasound, a coronary angiogram, a scintigraphy or an MRI.

How does cardiological treatment work?

Treating cardiovascular problems generally requires, in the first instance, patients to make improvements to their lifestyle (diet, physical activity, reducing stress). Medical care can either be drug-based or surgical.

Interventional cardiology is a particular form of surgery that is growing rapidly. Carried out both in emergency and non-emergency situations, interventional cardiology makes it possible to treat certain diseases (e.g. coronary and valve pathologies and malformations) by endovascular means, i.e. by passing miniaturised surgical instruments inside an artery or vein. In an emergency, the patient may be admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit.

Rhythmology is another subspecialty in cardiology. This discipline treats heart rhythm disorders using techniques such as:

• An implantable pacemaker (cardiac stimulator) to prevent the heart beating too slowly, or a cardioverter-defibrillator to prevent the heart beating chaotically or too fast. Both situations place the patient’s life in danger.
• Radiofrequency catheter ablation to treat rapid heart rhythm disorders by exploring the electrical activity of the heart and identifying the heart tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. A radiofrequency electrical current is then sent through the catheter to destroy the tissue responsible and to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.