Tuna KATIRCIBAŞI
Adana Cardiologist

Cardiology and vascular medicine are actually different specialties. Cardiology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases—such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and rhythm disorders. Vascular medicine, on the other hand, examines diseases that affect the entire vascular system outside the heart—arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels—such as peripheral artery disease or aneurysms. While both relate to the circulatory system, cardiology concentrates only on the heart, whereas vascular medicine covers all blood vessels throughout the body.

In a cardiology examination, the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and family history of heart disease are evaluated in detail. On physical examination, heart sounds, rhythm, pulse, blood pressure, neck veins, lung sounds, and findings such as leg swelling (edema) are assessed. Then, diagnostic tests such as electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), blood tests, treadmill stress testing, and Holter monitoring (rhythm or blood pressure) may be requested. This comprehensive assessment is critical for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.

You should visit cardiology for complaints such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, fainting, fatigue, leg swelling, chest tightness that increases with exertion, sudden changes in heart rate, feeling an irregular heartbeat, a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, and routine heart screening. These symptoms may indicate a heart attack, arrhythmia, heart failure, or vascular disease and should not be ignored.

A cardiologist may request tests such as a complete blood count, cholesterol and lipid profile (LDL, HDL, triglycerides), blood glucose, HbA1c, troponin, CK-MB, D-dimer, BNP or NT-proBNP, electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium), kidney and liver function tests, thyroid hormones, and coagulation tests (INR, aPTT). These tests help assess cardiovascular risk, support diagnosis, and monitor treatment.

Whether you need to be fasting depends on the tests planned. In general, there is no issue with eating before most appointments. However, for some tests—such as cholesterol or glucose tests—you may need to fast for several hours. In such cases, it is usually recommended to avoid anything other than water. Always follow your doctor’s instructions regarding fasting requirements.

If you want to prepare well for your cardiology appointment, first make a list of all medications you use, including names, doses, and how often you take them. It is also helpful to note your past medical problems and any major surgeries. Review your family medical history, especially regarding heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Write down your questions or concerns in advance so you can cover the most important topics during your visit. If possible, bring your recent lab results and test reports as well.

Yes. A cardiologist is a medical doctor specialized in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. To become a cardiologist, physicians complete medical school, then train in internal medicine, and then complete additional specialist training in cardiology. This long training equips cardiologists to manage a wide range of cardiovascular conditions.

Some important questions you can ask during a cardiology visit include:

• What is my current blood pressure, and what do these values mean for my heart health?
• What are my cholesterol levels (LDL, HDL, triglycerides), and how do they affect my cardiovascular risk?
• Based on my medical history and lifestyle, what is my risk of heart disease, and how can I reduce it?
• Which lifestyle changes or treatments do you recommend to improve my heart health?
• Do I need additional tests to evaluate my heart function or detect potential problems?
• What are the effects of my current medications on my heart? Are there side effects I should know about?
• Which symptoms require urgent medical attention?
• How often should I come for follow-up visits?
• Do you have diet or exercise recommendations specific to my situation?
• How does my family history affect my risk, and should I take preventive measures?

These questions can help you understand your cardiovascular health better and plan effective management strategies.

Cardiologists plan medical treatment for conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, valve diseases, and high cholesterol. They also use non-invasive diagnostic and follow-up methods such as ECG, echocardiography (ECHO), treadmill stress testing, Holter monitoring (rhythm and blood pressure), pacemaker follow-up, and pre-angiography evaluation. When needed, they refer patients to interventional cardiology or cardiac surgery to ensure comprehensive care.