Cardiology

What Diseases Does the Cardiology Department Deal With?

There are many diseases that the cardiology department deals with. This medical unit focuses on heart and vascular diseases.

Some important conditions that the cardiology department deals with include:

Coronary artery disease (Coronary artery insufficiency)

Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.

Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias)

Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. They can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. It can damage the heart and lead to other health problems.

Heart failure

Heart failure happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It can result from various heart conditions.

Heart valve disorders

Heart valve disorders occur when the valves in the heart don’t work properly, leading to problems with blood flow.

Vascular diseases

Vascular diseases affect the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, often leading to reduced blood flow or blockages.

Heart attack (angiography)

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, leading to damage or death of heart muscle cells.

Rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that can result from untreated strep throat or scarlet fever, leading to damage to the heart valves.

Pericarditis and myocarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation of the lining around the heart, while myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle itself.

Aortic insufficiency

Aortic insufficiency occurs when the aortic valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to leak back into the heart.

Mitral valve stenosis and insufficiency

Mitral valve stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve opening, while mitral valve insufficiency occurs when the valve doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to leak backward.

Endocardial diseases

Endocardial diseases affect the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, often leading to inflammation or damage.

Hyperlipidaemia/dyslipidaemia (lipid metabolism disorders)

Hyperlipidaemia or dyslipidaemia refers to high levels of fats (lipids) in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

What Are the Symptoms of Cardiology Diseases?

There are several common and important symptoms of heart and vascular diseases. The symptoms of cardiology diseases may vary depending on the type of condition.

Some common and important symptoms include:

• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath and coughing up are blood associated with problems with heart valves
• Chest pain and a feeling of tightness in the chest
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fainting
• Difficulty breathing, nocturia
• Impotence
• Orthopnea developing due to the progression of difficulty breathing

What Are the Diagnostic Methods Used in Heart Diseases?

Different methods are used in the diagnosis of conditions related to the cardiology department. These diagnostic methods are crucial for establishing the diagnosis of heart disease, determining the appropriate treatment method, and monitoring the patient.

Some commonly used diagnostic methods in the cardiology department include:

• Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG): This is a basic test that tests the electrical activity of the heart. The recording of electrical activity in the heart is monitored with electrodes attached to the skin. Signs of a heart attack can be diagnosed with this method.
  
  
• Blood tests: Blood tests are used to determine the levels of certain enzymes and hormones in the blood. If there is any problem with the heart, the values in this test may be elevated.
  
  
• Angiography: Evaluation of arteries is achieved using X-rays with the help of a special dye. Blood flow in the vessels can be visualized with angiography. This method can be used for both diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
• Exercise stress test: The exercise stress test is important for determining the condition of coronary artery diseases.

In addition to these diagnostic methods, various diagnostic methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cardiac catheterization, myocardial perfusion, Holter ECG, and echocardiography (ECHO) are also available.

This content has been contributed by the partner clinics of Pharmalps.

The content of the page is for informational purposes only.

Elements containing information about therapeutic health services are not included in the page content.

Please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Heart disease and cardiology

It is crucial to take necessary preventive measures against heart diseases from childhood onwards, as they can affect all age groups and both genders. Especially those with a family history of heart disease should undergo regular medical check-ups, as they are at higher risk. Diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up procedures for heart diseases are carried out by internal medicine units called cardiology.

Our partner hospitals provide services in their cardiology departments with expert and academic medical staff, adhering to international standards. Through our partners, we excel in specialized fields such as interventional cardiology, non-invasive cardiology, electrophysiology, and arrhythmia. 

Particularly, our partner clinics offer minimally invasive heart surgeries performed by expert physicians using state-of-the-art equipment. They successfully perform procedures such as cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, stent placement, pacemaker implantation (biventricular, ICD), and all emergency procedures. Diseases diagnosed and treated in our cardiology departments include:

Congenital heart diseases

Diseases arising from structural abnormalities existing in the heart from birth are referred to as congenital heart diseases. These diseases can be hereditary or may occur due to genetic disorders or unknown factors. Among the most common are structural abnormalities in heart valves, holes in the heart, or narrowing of blood vessels, resulting in a murmur sound heard during heart rest. Treatment options vary from patient to patient and may involve medication or surgical operations.

Coronary Artery Diseases

Coronary artery disease, a common heart and vascular disease, develops when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or the accumulation of fat plaques in the arteries due to high cholesterol. This condition leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle and eventually to the development of heart failure. Treatment includes medication as well as procedures such as coronary angioplasty, stent placement, minimally invasive techniques, robotic surgery, and bypass, among others.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart is damaged due to heart and vascular diseases or other reasons, leading to the inability of the heart to pump blood to the body in the required amount. Causes of heart failure include congenital or acquired structural abnormalities in the heart, prolonged hypertension, diseases related to heart valves, and damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack. Treatment options include the use of various drug derivatives, the use of pacemakers and support devices, surgical treatment methods, and heart transplantation.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

A heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, is an acute condition characterised by sudden and severe pain and pressure in the chest. Factors contributing to the development of a heart attack include smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and structural abnormalities of the heart. Immediate intervention is vital for patients experiencing a heart attack. Treatment ranges from medication and observation to surgical interventions when necessary.

Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmia)

Irregular heartbeats or abnormal functioning of the heart are referred to as arrhythmia. This condition manifests as the heart beating too fast (tachycardia) or too slowly (bradycardia), accompanied by symptoms such as fainting and palpitations. Treatment for arrhythmia patients may involve medication, electrical treatments such as catheter ablation, or specialised surgical techniques developed for arrhythmia.

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Peripheral vascular (artery) diseases develop as a result of blockages in the arteries, causing obstruction of blood flow to the arms, legs, and organs due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). These diseases can occur due to high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, or genetic predisposition. Treatment includes medication and surgical interventions such as bypass, endarterectomy, and stent placement.

Heart valve diseases Heart valve diseases, either congenital or developed later due to genetic factors, aging, or  severe infections, are characterised by the narrowing or leakage of heart valves. While some individuals with valve disease may not experience any symptoms for years, others may experience constant fatigue, palpitations, sensations of congestion, and quick fatigue. Treatment may involve valve repair or replacement, transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVI), and transcutaneous valve treatment, among clinical and surgical applications.

Aortic Artery Diseases

Diseases related to the aorta, the largest artery in the body, are grouped as aortic artery diseases. Aortic aneurysm (dilation), tearing of the vessel layers (dissection), or the occurrence of obstructions or narrowing’s in the vessel are the most common aortic diseases. While medication may be preferred in the initial stages of aortic disease detection, advanced cases may require angiography, stent placement, and surgical repair treatments.

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) Atherosclerosis, a common condition triggering the development of many serious heart diseases, is characterised by the hardening of the arteries and the loss of their flexibility due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the vessel walls. Plaques formed inwardly in the hardened vessel walls lead to narrowing and eventually blocking of the arteries, resulting in serious acute conditions such as heart attacks and disturbances in organ functions over time. Treatment includes medication, lifestyle changes, and dietary therapy, as well as minimally invasive surgery and bypass.

Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases in our country and worldwide. Systolic blood pressure should be below 120 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure should be below 80 mmHg in adults. Consistently elevated blood pressure above these values is referred to as hypertension, which can lead to the development of many diseases in the long term. Therefore, medical nutrition therapy and, if deemed necessary by a physician, medication therapy should be used to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and keep it under control.

Hyperlipidaemia or dyslipidaemia

The presence of cholesterol and other blood lipids above the levels required in the blood is a risk factor for the development of many heart and vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. The elevation of various lipid types in the blood is called hyperlipidaemia, and the condition where total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride

This content has been contributed by the partner clinics of Pharmalps.

The content of the page is for informational purposes only. Elements containing information about therapeutic health services are not included in the page content. Please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment