Cardiology examination is a medical procedure that is performed to assess the health of the heart and blood vessels. A cardiology examination can be a preventive, routine examination or can be performed as part of the diagnostic process in case of symptoms or heart problems. The purpose of cardiology examination is early detection of heart disease, assessment of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, monitoring of existing heart problems, planning further therapy, education on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
A cardiologist’s examination is crucial for maintaining heart health because regular cardiologist appointments allow early detection of potential heart problems before more serious complications develop, to monitor existing conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of therapy and adjust the treatment plan as needed. A cardiologist can provide important information and education to patients about heart health, heart disease prevention, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
What is the importance of the history of cardiac disease?
A patient’s history of cardiac disease plays a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease for several reasons:
- It allows the cardiologist to identify risk factors that can influence the emergence of heart disease (the presence of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking).
- To determine the nature and duration of symptoms that the patient may have which helps the cardiologist to make the correct diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment.
- Information about previous treatments and therapies – because it allows the cardiologist to adjust further treatment and management of the patient’s cardiovascular health.
What are the common symptoms associated with the heart?
There are several common symptoms that are associated with heart disease, and their significance in the diagnosis of heart disease can be crucial. Some of these symptoms are:
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of heart disease. It can manifest as pressure, squeezing, tightening, or burning sensation in the chest. This pain can be caused by physical activity or stress, but it can also occur during rest. Chest pain may indicate coronary heart disease.
Pain in the upper back or neck may be associated with heart problems, e.g., angina pectoris when it occurs during physical activity and with an aortic aneurysm which can be dangerous and require immediate medical attention.
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) It can occur during physical activity or even at rest. It can be a sign of heart failure or other heart problems. Dyspnea can manifest itself as a feeling of lack of air, suffocation or wheezing.
A feeling of irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations) may be associated with heart arrhythmias which may be harmless, but it can also be a sign of more serious heart problems such as fibrillation.
Uncharacteristic fatigue or weakness can be symptoms of heart disease.
Loss of consciousness, Dizziness or fainting may be symptoms of heart rhythm disturbances or heart failure.
Indigestion or gastrointestinal symptoms (such as heartburn, heartburn, bloating, gas, nausea or vomiting) may be a sign of heart failure, myocardial infarction or side effects of heart medications.
How can previous diseases (medical history) affect heart health?
Some of the many examples of diseases that can affect the heart and lead to heart problems:
High blood pressure (hypertension) can burden the heart and blood vessels.
Over time, this can lead to heart failure, coronary disease, heart attack or other heart problems.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease.
Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, including those that supply the heart. This can lead to coronary disease, heart failure and heart attack.
High levels of cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) in the blood
It can cause plaque to build up in the arteries of the heart, which can lead to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and coronary disease.
Rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
They can affect the heart, which can cause myocarditis and pericarditis.
Excessive or insufficient thyroid function can have an impact on the heart
Hyperthyroidism (over function) can cause rapid heartbeat and cardiac arrhythmias, while hypothyroidism (insufficient function) can slow the heart rate and increase the risk of heart failure.
How can a family history of heart disease affect your heart health?
A family history of heart disease can have a significant impact on your heart health. If your family members have or have had heart disease, your risk of developing heart problems increases.
Inherited risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes or others that can be transmitted genetically. Certain genetic heart diseases may be associated with structural or functional abnormalities of the heart. These can include diseases such as congenital heart defects, genetic heart rhythm disorders or hereditary cardiomyopathies.
A family history of heart disease can have an impact on the lifestyle and habits that are present in the family, such as unhealthy diets, insufficient physical activity, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. These factors can increase the risk of heart disease.
Knowing your family history of heart disease allows you to be aware of your increased risk and take preventive measures. Regular check-ups with a cardiologist, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol levels and other risk factors can help with early diagnosis to reduce the risk of heart problems.
How can lifestyle affect heart health?
Lifestyle can contribute to the development of heart disease, but also reduce the risk of them. An increased risk of heart disease is affected by: unhealthy diet, lack of regular physical activity; excessive consumption of alcohol and high levels of stress.
If healthy lifestyles are adopted, the risk of heart disease can be significantly reduced. Recommended:
- a balanced diet rich in fruits
- vegetables
- whole grains
- fish
- low-fat dairy products
Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, regulates blood pressure and cholesterol, and helps maintain a healthy body weight. Quit smoking. Moderate alcohol consumption (one drink a day for women and up to two drinks per day for men) may be acceptable, but excessive consumption should be avoided. Stress management through relaxation techniques, exercise, and social support can help maintain heart health.
What does a cardiological examination look like?
The cardiology examination begins with a history when the cardiologist will interview the patient to collect data on the medical history, symptoms, risk factors as well as family history of the disease. They will then perform a physical examination that includes an assessment of the patient’s general condition, listening to heart tones, measuring blood pressure, and examining blood vessels.
The general cardiac examination has several goals:
- Early detection of heart disease such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart defects, arrhythmias, and other conditions. Early detection of the disease allows timely intervention and reduces the risk of complications.
- Assessing risk factors that can affect heart health, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, smoking, family history of heart disease and other factors. Identifying these factors allows preventive measures to be taken to reduce the risk of heart problems.
- Monitoring existing heart problems, assessing the effectiveness of therapy, and adjusting the treatment plan as needed.
- Treatment planning which may include medications, lifestyle changes (e.g., diet and physical activity), interventional procedures (e.g., angioplasty, stenting) or surgical procedures (e.g., bypass surgery). The goal is to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart events.
- Education and prevention about risk factors, symptoms of heart disease and ways to maintain a healthy heart.
Specific physical cardiology examinations are a detailed examination of the heart, blood vessels and associated systems and include:
Inspection
The cardiologist carefully observes the patient to notice any visible signs of heart problems. These may include changes in skin color, swelling of the extremities, visible pulsations or signs of breathing that indicate heart problems. Skin color can be blue or grayish (cyanosis) which can be a sign of heart problems such as heart failure, heart defects, pale skin may be due to narrowing of the coronary arteries or other vascular problems, red skin can be a sign of cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia or hypertension.
Palpation
The cardiologist uses his fingers to carefully examine and grope different parts of the body to assess pulse, determine any pulsations or edema, as well as possible changes in the texture or sensitivity of the skin. Signs of swelling on the extremities, especially on the legs and ankles, are sought, which may indicate cardiac arrest or other vascular problems. Visible pulsations in the neck area, such as pulsation of jugular veins or pulsation in the epigastric region which can provide information about the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
Palpation of the pulse
The cardiologist taps and evaluates the pulsate arteries (e.g., the carotid artery on the neck, the radial artery on the wrist) to assess the frequency, rhythm, and quality of the pulse. Pulse may be increased (tachycardia) decreased (bradycardia) irregular (arrhythmias) Weak (heart failure or heart attack), variable pulse (serious heart failure or heart failure).
Auscultation
The cardiologist listens to the heart and blood vessels using a stethoscope. This part of the examination allows the cardiologist to assess heart tones, identify heart murmurs or rhythm irregularities, as well as to listen to possible sound signs of a delay in blood flow through the arteries.
Blood pressure measurement
A cardiologist uses a blood pressure meter, usually with a cuff placed around the upper arm, to obtain measurements of systolic (upper) and diastolic (lower) blood pressure. This provides information about the strength and elasticity of the arteries, as well as general blood pressure.
Assessment of the respiratory system
The cardiologist can carefully observe the patient’s breathing, listen to the lungs and assess the presence of dyspnea (shortness of breath) or disturbed breathing rate, the use of auxiliary respiratory musculature which can be a sign of heart disease.
These physical examination steps allow the cardiologist to gain insight into the condition of the heart, blood vessels and associated systems, identify potential abnormalities or irregularities, and lay the basis for further diagnosis and treatment planning.
Examination of other parts of the body, in addition to specific examinations of the heart, may indicate the presence of heart disease. Here are some of those examinations:
- Lungs: A cardiologist may listen to the lungs and look for the presence of crepitant (tiny bubbles) or dry noises that may indicate cardiac arrest or lung disease that is associated with heart problems.
- Peripheral blood vessels: A cardiologist can evaluate peripheral blood vessels, including arteries and veins on the arms and legs. They will look for signs of narrowing, enlargement or damage to blood vessels that may be associated with coronary heart disease or other vascular diseases.
- Abdomen: A cardiologist may carefully palpate the abdomen to detect an eventual enlargement of the liver, which can be a sign of a delay in blood circulation in the liver, which is often associated with heart failure.
- Peripheral edema: Edema or swelling of the legs, ankles or other parts of the body may be an indication of heart failure or other heart problems that lead to fluid retention in the body.
Which cardiovascular diseases can be detected through a cardiology examination?
Some of the most common diseases that are detected by a cardiologist’s examination are:
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
CHD is a medical term used to describe the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. The main symptom of coronary heart disease is angina pectoris, which usually manifests as pain or discomfort in the chest. The pain can be pressure, tightness, suffocation or burning in the chest and often occurs during physical activity or emotional stress. Angina pectoris can also occur at rest in case of more severe narrowing of the arteries or heart attack. Diagnosis of coronary heart disease usually involves various tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG),stress tests, coronary angiography, and echocardiography.
The treatment of coronary heart disease may involve:
- lifestyle changes (such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, smoking cessation),
- drugs to control symptoms, prevent complications and improve blood flow,
- as well as interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting or coronary bypass surgery in more serious cases.
It is important for people with suspected coronary heart disease to seek professional medical advice and diagnostics from a cardiologist in order to make an accurate diagnosis and start appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
In some cases, coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack (infarction) that occurs when the blood supply to a certain part of the heart muscle is completely cut off, usually due to complete blockage of the coronary artery. Myocardial infarction is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Symptoms of myocardial infarction may vary, but the most common symptoms include severe pain or pressure in the chest, which can spread to the arm, neck, jaw or back. There may also be a feeling of suffocation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating and a feeling of anxiety.
Rapid intervention can reduce damage to the heart and improve outcome. Common procedures include emergency transport to the hospital, where the diagnosis can be confirmed, adequate medications and therapies, such as aspirin, thrombolytic drugs or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to open a clogged artery. If you suspect a myocardial infarction or if someone in your environment shows symptoms, seek immediate medical help.
Aortic disease
It covers various conditions such as:
- Aortic aneurysm, which is an extension of part of the aortic wall. Most often it occurs in the abdominal or thoracic part of the aorta. The aneurysm may be asymptomatic, but if the enlargement increases or the aneurysm ruptures, it can be a serious and life-threatening condition.
- Aortic dissection is an emergency condition that occurs when the inner layers of the aorta separate from each other, creating a false channel within the aortic wall. This can interfere with normal blood flow and lead to serious complications, including rupture of the aorta.
- Aortic valve disease such as aortic stenosis or insufficiency that can lead to heart failure and other complications.
Diagnosis of aortic disease usually involves various diagnostic tests such as echocardiography, CT scan examination, MRI or angiography of the aorta.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease, but may include managing symptoms, medication, monitoring, or surgical interventions such as repairing an aneurysm, valve replacement, or aortic reconstruction. It is important that people who have symptoms or risk factors for aortic disease regularly visit a cardiologist or vascular surgeon to monitor and early detect potential aortic problems.
Peripheral artery disease
Also known as peripheral vascular disease, they include various disorders and conditions that affect the arteries that supply blood to muscles and tissues outside the heart and brain, the most significant being:
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the muscles and tissues of the extremities are tearful or blocked, most often due to atherosclerosis which can cause symptoms such as pain in the legs when walking (intermittent claudication), slow wound healing, cold in the legs and discoloration of the skin.
- Thrombosis and peripheral artery embolism: Thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot inside an artery, while embolism occurs when a clot or other material breaks off and travels to smaller arteries, blocking blood flow. Both conditions can cause serious problems in blood supply to peripheral tissues.
Diagnosis of peripheral artery disease usually includes a nemesis, physical examination, pulse measurement, ultrasound (Doppler), angiography, CT scan or MRI. Treatment may include lifestyle changes (healthy diet, smoking cessation, physical activity), medications to reduce symptoms and prevent complications, interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting.
During the cardiological examination, the cardiologist will take a medical history or conduct an interview with the patient. After that, a physical examination is performed, which includes listening to the heart, measuring blood pressure, examining the pulse and checking for possible signs of heart disease. Further diagnostic procedures may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) that registers the electrical activity of the heart, a load test (e.g., a treadmill race or cycling under the supervision of a physician) to assess the performance of the heart during physical exertion, coronary angiography to visualize the blood vessels of the heart, or echocardiography to assess the structure and function of the heart.
Why are regular cardiological examinations important?
Regular cardiology check-ups are key to maintaining heart health. They enable early detection of heart disease, assessment of risk factors, monitoring of existing conditions and providing advice and education. Regular examinations allow to prevent, identify, and treat heart problems in time, as well as prevent complications, thereby improving the overall health of patients.
How do I schedule an appointment with a cardiologist?
Pulse Go provides a cardiological examination that includes diagnostic, monitoring and prevention of heart disease intended for all categories of patients. You can call us or contact us via the form.
