Who is an Interventional Cardiologist?
An Interventional Cardiologist is a cardiologist with advanced training in minimally-invasive catheter-based procedures. This means that they perform procedures using catheters. One example of such interventions is inserting stents in the heart arteries in order to restore proper blood flow [see What is a Heart Attack below]. These procedures allow accurate diagnosis and unique treatment opportunities for cardiovascular disease as well as congenital and structural heart conditions.
Who is an Electrophysiologist (EP)?
An EP is a cardiologist with advanced training and expertise in treating arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms), which includes pacemaker, defibrillator (ICD), and ablation procedures in order to restore and maintain the heart’s normal healthy rhythm [see Palpitations below].
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack happens when the blood that brings the oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. Your heart is a muscle that needs oxygen to survive. This happens because the heart’s arteries (coronary arteries) that supply the blood flow have become narrow from a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, altogether called plaque. Plaque can also break off and block the blood flow. In either situation, as those parts of the heart become starved from oxygen and nutrients, they can become damaged and die. A General Cardiologist can consult with you during a heart attack, however, an Interventional Cardiologist has the Highly Advanced Non-Invasive Surgical Training to offer Treatment through Catheterization (CATH procedure) and “open” your artery, restoring the blood flow to your heart.
What are Palpitations?
Our heart beats all day, every day but we are not aware of it. Palpitations are when you feel your heart beat. It can skip a beat, have an extra beat, beat hard or fast for no clear reason. As an example when you exercise your heart should beat faster and stronger. That is normal. However, if your heart is beating faster or stronger without exercise or another understandable reason, then you may have an arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat) and speaking with an EP Cardiologist may be helpful. We have options for monitoring your heart rhythm (the way it beats) from days to years when needed. We also have intervention strategies, electrical studies of the heart, and modification of the arrhythmia to provide an improved quality of health and life.