A Cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions of the cardiovascular system, which consists mainly of the heart and blood vessels. To become a cardiologist, you would need to complete four years of medical school and six to eight years of internal and specialized cardiology training. Common conditions that cardiologists would treat are heart and vascular disease, congenital heart defects, heart attacks, coronary heart disease, and heart failure and arrhythmia. They treat people in private practice, universities, and hospitals and may refer you to a cardiac surgeon for complex surgical procedures.

Some common signs of an unhealthy heart are:

• Shortness of breath your lungs may feel heavy, and your breathing become very noticeable, or you may feel your breathing is rapid and shallow. You may experience this form of anxiety or anemia or even an allergic reaction, but the underlying cause can be from the lungs and heart.

• If shortness of breath is gradual it may be an aortic disease or arrhythmia or heart failure.
Shortness of breath should never be taken lightly.

• Chest discomfort you will feel pain, pressure, pinching, or even burning in the chest. Pain even that only seems to be on the surface or gets worse when touched is likely a heart condition. Left shoulder pain is usually known as referred pain this is because they have the same pain receptors in the brain. Left shoulder pain is a classic sign of an unhealthy heart.

• Irregular heartbeat

• Atrial fibrillation is where your heart beats faster than it should which can lead to a
stroke, medication is used to reduce symptoms.

• Premature ventricular contractions when your heart skips a beat

• Ventricular fibrillation when the electrical signals become scrambled, your chambers
beat rapidly, and the ventricles squeeze irregularly.

• Heartburn, stomach, or back pain women can manifest pain in their stomachs and back and even heartburn which could be signs of a heart attack. If pain worsens or moves to your chest or shoulder it is best to seek medical attention.

• Swollen feet can be signs of thrombosis or precursor to a pulmonary embolism even indicating heart failure. When the heart is pumping ineffectively it begins to pool because of gravity.

• Lack of Stamina change in how your body responds to exercise may be a warning of heart
failure, other signs to watch for are reduction in strength, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath can.

• Sexual health problems because vessels cannot dilate properly problems such as erectile
dysfunction may occur, and heart disease may be something to consider before your libido.

• Dizziness or lightheaded means a lack of oxygen to the brain as a result you may have heart failure or valve disorders.

• Sleep apnea although other conditions can contribute to sleep apnea such as diabetes, obesity, and age can also mean heart disease.

• Constant fatigue your body is deprived of oxygen can be a sign of heart failure.

The five most common heart problems are heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve complications.

A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle is cut off oxygen usually caused by a build-up of plaque, which can include fat, cholesterol, or other substances in the coronary artery. Stroke because of blood flow stroke is considered heart disease and since the brain is deprived of oxygen due to a blockage in a blood vessel causing the brain suffers damage or dies.

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat whether it is the too fast or too slow or irregular beat which causes the heart to work ineffectively.

Heart Valve Complications your valves may not work properly, not closing or opening to allow for blood flow.

What should you expect on your first visit with a cardiologist is a full medical exam, including height and weight, blood pressure, order of any diagnostic testing including blood testing and X- rays and a stress test, and any other testing that will enable the doctor to get a complete diagnose and how to proceed with treatment. It will also be used to get to know one another and go over your medical history. The team at Integrated HealthCare of South Florida is proud to provide you with the best treatment plan customized to your specific heart needs! We serve patients from Coral Springs FL, Coconut Creek FL, Margate FL, Parkland FL, Tamarac FL, Boca Raton FL, Sunrise FL, Lauderdale Lakes FL, and nearby areas.