Cardiology
Cardiology relates to treatment of conditions or diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The physicians that practice cardiology are called cardiologists, and this is a specialist medical field in most countries including Australia. Cardiologists should not be confused with cardiac surgeons who perform cardiac surgery as this is considered a separate field of specialisation.
A cardiologist may treat conditions such as congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology plus much more. Physicians specialising in cardiology typically employ the following equipment in the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions of the heart and arteries:
- Stethoscope
- Pacemakers
- Defibrillators
- Artificial Heart
- Heart Lung Machine
- Intra-aortic Balloon Pump
- Ventricular Assistance Devices
On top of that, cardiologists rely on blood tests, echocardiograms, cardiovascular magnetic resonance, cardiac stress tests, electrocardiograms (ECG), Sphygmomanometers, coronary catheterisation. Cardiology also relies on a vast range of prescribed medication to treat the various conditions and diseases of the heart.
Heart disease has long been recognised as the leading cause of mortality in many countries, including the United States and Australia. Any number of pre-existing conditions, lifestyle factors or diseases can bring the wide range of cardiovascular conditions and diseases, so the field of cardiology is quite large.
To find out more about cardiology and its array of treatment alternatives, simply browse the online physician database at physicians.com.au. Call today to organise an appointment with a professional in the field of cardiology.
