Cardiology refers to the branch of medicine that deals with heart and blood vessels disorders. Cardiologists are heart doctors. A sub-specialty of cardiology is electrophysiology, which requires additional training in addition to a general training in cardiology. An electrophysiologist is a specialist in the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Types of heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- Arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation
- Sick sinus syndrome (irregular rhythm of the heart with fast and slow heart beats)
- Sudden cardiac death
- Heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- Congenital heart disease
- Congenital heart disease in children and infants
- Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
- Pericarditis
Common symptoms of heart disease
- Angina – discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing or painful feeling in your chest. (Feels like indigestion or heartburn)
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats or a “flip-flop” feeling in your chest)
- A faster heartbeat
- Weakness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Pounding in your chest
- Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible)
- Swelling in ankles, legs and abdomen
- Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails and lips)
- Fainting or near syncope
Treatment available for heart diseases
- Regular monitoring and observation
- Drugs
- Percutaneous Interventional therapies such angioplasty and stenting
- Devices such as pacemakers for slow heart beat, implantable cardioverter defibrillators for prevention of sudden death, cardiac resynchronization devices for heart failure
- Surgery such as coronary artery bypass surgery
Useful Links
- Cardio Valens – Cardiology Portal
- Mayo Clinic
- Singapore Cardiac Society
- Singapore Heart Foundation
- WebMD
- Heart Rhythm Society
- Health Promotion Board
