Cardiac Consultation for Addressing Heart Disease

Cardiology consultations with a dedicated physician can help prevent and treat heart conditions before they become disastrous. Cardiologists look at the whole picture, including pre-existing risk factors, genetic history and physical assessments. This in-depth assessment allows them to come up with individualized treatment plans for every patient. The main goal of a cardiologist consultation is to help address existing or prevent developing heart disease.

Cardiac Consultations

All physicians within the cardiology practice provide clinical consultations. Primary care doctors or other specialists may recommend a cardiac consultation if you are at high risk for heart disease. If a patient has a family with a history of heart disease, a cardiac consultation can be critical to detect issues early.

Cardiac consultations can help:

• Diagnose existing heart conditions and different types of heart diseases
• Provide information and education on preventative lifestyle changes
• Determine treatment options

Cardiac consultations typically include:

• A review of the patient’s medical history
• A physical assessment of the body
• An electrocardiogram (ECG) to help determine overall heart health
• Any additional tests the physician deems necessary based on which signs and symptoms the patient presents

To prepare for your cardiac consultation:

• Generate a list of existing medications
• Come up with a list of any questions you or your physician may have
• Create a symptom log including their severity and corresponding timelines
• Start a food and exercise log to track the risk for cardiac disease

After the heart consultation is complete, the physician will develop an individualized treatment plan for the patient. The cardiologist will also give a full report to the referring physician.

A cardiologist may suggest lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart disease including:

• Increasing physical activity
  Regular exercise and movement helps promote circulation and strengthens your heart. Exercise also plays an important role in weight loss and control, another key risk factor for heart disease.
• Decreasing foods heavy in sodium and fats (especially saturated fats)
  Foods high in salt and fat contribute to high blood pressure and blood cholesterol. High levels of both of these put you at greater risk for heart disease. Depending on your overall health, your doctor may recommend you avoid or eliminate certain foods from your diet.
• Quitting smoking
  Smoking and tobacco usage ravage your circulatory system, making it difficult to get blood to the heart. This places a heavy burden on your heart and blood vessels and greatly increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. Quitting smoking, even after a long period of use, can significantly decrease your risk for heart failure.
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
  Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption contributes to high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle. Decreasing or eliminating alcohol consumption can help put you on the right path to a healthier heart.
• Starting medications to lower blood cholesterol and/or pressure
  High blood cholesterol and high blood pressure are both major heart disease risks. Medications can help lower and control these levels. Although medication should be used judiciously, it can be a great tool for preventing heart disease, now and in the future.