What does a cardiologist do?
What does a cardiologist do?A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the heart and blood vessels. Your primary care provider (PCP) manages your overall health, from wellness visits to everyday concerns. A cardiologist has advanced training to diagnose, treat, and prevent heart and cardiovascular conditions.
At NewYork-Presbyterian, cardiologists work as part of a coordinated care team alongside PCPs, cardiac surgeons, nurses, nutrition specialists, and other experts to provide comprehensive and personalized care.
A cardiologist's role includes:
- Catching Problems Early: Spotting warning signs of heart disease before they become serious.
- Managing Chronic Conditions: Caring for arrhythmias, heart failure, and heart valve disease.
- Advanced Diagnostics: Using tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, and stress tests to assess heart function.
- Coordinating Care: Ensuring your heart plan fits perfectly with your overall medical needs.
When to call 911 for heart symptoms
When to call 911 for heart symptomsWhen it comes to your heart, timing is critical. If you or someone close to you experiences sudden, severe, or concerning symptoms, call 911 immediately.
How do I know if chest pain is a real emergency?
- Chest pain or pressure: A heavy, squeezing, or crushing feeling in the chest
- Trouble breathing: Feeling short of breath even at rest
- Sudden weakness or numbness: Especially on one side of the body or with difficulty speaking
- Fainting or extreme lightheadedness
- Spreading pain: Pain moving from the chest to the neck, jaw, shoulders, back, or arms
What are signs that it's time to see a cardiologist?
Signs it’s time to see a cardiologistYou don’t have to wait for an emergency to see a heart doctor. Many people ask, "When should you see a cardiologist?" or "When to see a heart doctor?" If you have symptoms that are affecting your daily life, or are risk factors for heart disease, a cardiologist can help.
What are reasons to schedule an appointment?
- Chest discomfort during activity that eases with rest
- Heart palpitations, racing, fluttering, or skipped beats
- Shortness of breath during normal activities
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs
- Abnormal findings from a screening or checkup
Risk factors to consider:
- Chronic Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
- Smoking History: Current or former smokers have a higher risk of coronary artery disease
- Obesity and Sleep Issues: Research shows a strong link between sleep apnea and heart disease
- Family History of early heart disease
Special considerations for women and pregnancy
Special considerations for women and pregnancyHeart health can look different for women. Pregnancy, hormonal changes, and menopause can affect the heart. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we offer specialized care through our programs for women’s heart disease and cardio-obstetrics.
Key considerations for women:
- Atypical Symptoms: Fatigue, nausea, or jaw/back pain instead of classic chest pressure
- Pregnancy-related Conditions: Monitoring after preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or high blood pressure
- Menopause Transition: Hormonal changes that may affect blood pressure and cholesterol
What to expect at your first visit
What to expect at your first visitYour first cardiology appointment is a chance to get a clear picture of your heart health and plan for next steps.
During your visit, you can expect:
- Medical history: Discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, diet, and family history
- Physical exam: Checking blood pressure, heart rate, and listening to your heart and lungs
- Initial testing: Often an EKG to evaluate your heart’s rhythm
Based on your evaluation, your cardiologist may recommend additional testing, such as an echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound), a stress test, or other advanced imaging.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.