Just other places, a cardiologist in Singapore is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart. As heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, they are very important members of society. Many famous people have had their lives saved due to this profession.
Treatment of heart disease is generally done via surgery, medication, and lifestyle changes. Cardiologists work as part of a team with many different health professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, and dietitians.
They also collaborate with the patient’s general practitioner or family doctor. This means that both disciplines can combine their knowledge and resources to achieve the best results for the patient.
How Heart Disease is Detected (The Different Types of Tests that may be Performed)
Your GP may recommend an appointment with a cardiologist in Singapore if they suspect that you could be at risk of suffering a heart attack or any other CVD. There are several ways in which a cardiologist will be able to diagnose your condition. These may include;
- Physical Examination: Observations made by looking at you, listening to your breath, or tapping on your chest are used to make an initial diagnosis.
- Clinical Investigations: These include taking blood samples, X-ray images, and heart monitoring.
- Electrocardiogram: An ECG is commonly known as a heart tracing or EKG. It monitors the electrical activity of the muscles in your heart to show if they are contracting normally.
- Stress Test: This occurs when an individual has their heart monitored while undertaking activities that increase their breathing rate and blood pressure, usually using a treadmill machine. This procedure can help doctors evaluate plaque build-up along arteries which can lead to a heart attack.
- Echocardiography: A sonogram of the heart which records its performance and structure. These images can be combined with measurements to give doctors a specific diagnosis.
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Known as a CMR, your cardiologist in Singapore can use this procedure to reveal the internal structure of organs such as your heart. It helps doctors detect any abnormalities that may have been missed through other methods.
What to Expect if you are Referred to a Cardiologist
In most cases, you will be referred by your doctor or general practitioner as they suspect that there may be something wrong with your heart function. In some cases, patients may find out about their condition themselves as they start noticing symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Many hospitals and clinics now offer more than one option of cardiovascular diagnoses such as CT scans, MRI machines, and CMR techniques. Other tests that may be performed can include angiography or coronary angiography, where the coronaries- the arteries leading to your heart- are filmed using x-rays so doctors can work out if there is any blockage present.
You shouldn’t fret if you’re diagnosed with heart disease because there are so many options available for treatment. There are three main types of medication that can be prescribed if you’re diagnosed with heart disease, these are:
- Anti-coagulants: Aimed at thinning your blood to prevent the formation of clots in your cardiovascular system.
- Painkillers: Can be used if you have an inflamed heart muscle or a chronic condition such as angina.
- Nitrates: These allow better flow of oxygen and reduce the workload on the heart by widening blood vessels and relaxing constricted muscles.
Some people might also need surgery to improve their symptoms, and this may involve procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), where arteries from another part of the body are linked with ones leading to your heart via grafts. If surgery is recommended for your treatment, you will be sent to a consultant who specializes in cardiac surgery before undergoing the procedure. It is important that you understand exactly what is involved in the process so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to go ahead with it.
Recovering from Heart Disease
It is vital that you keep active and continue with any prescribed medication during your recovery period as directed by your cardiologist in Singapore. Your doctor will advise you on how much physical activity you can do at various stages of your rehabilitation.
In most cases, the time needed for full recovery is between six months and one year, but your new lifestyle should be a permanent change to help protect yourself in the future and avoid further health complications.
What happens if my Condition doesn’t improve?
If you experience ongoing symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain after extended periods of treatment for heart disease, there may be another reason they are occurring- not necessarily related to your heart function. These could include smoking-related conditions such as COPD or pulmonary embolism where there is a blockage in the lung artery.
In other instances, your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a respiratory physician who could organize further investigations into these symptoms. If one of the diagnostic options required for the cardiovascular disease involves an injection or wire procedure, your cardiologist might refer you to a radiologist.
These diagnostic imaging technologists work together with cardiologists and other doctors to provide patients with personalized treatments. If you suspect that you might be experiencing any signs of cardiovascular disease, please contact your doctor as soon as possible and they can decide whether or not to refer you to a cardiologist in Singapore for further testing and treatment.
When it comes to diagnosing heart problems, early detection and investigation can help doctors to find the right treatment course for you. If you wait until your condition progresses due to neglecting your symptoms, there may be little that doctors can do for you through medication, and surgery might be considered too risky.
This would result in a poorer quality of life as well as considerably greater expense for both yourself and medical professionals. Health insurance companies usually cover the cost of related investigations, which are vital for a proper diagnosis.
It may also provide financial assistance to those who have been prescribed medication and treatments by doctors as they attempt to find the best possible solution for your condition. You should bear in mind that most health insurance providers will not cover you if you decide not to proceed with recommended tests or treatment, so be sure to do all of the necessary research before making any decisions about how you wish to deal with your condition.
Wrapping Up
Heart disease is a common concern for many people, but it can be detected through a variety of diagnostic techniques carried out by qualified specialists such as cardiologists. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the more choice you will have to manage your symptoms and hopefully live a longer and happier life.
We offer comprehensive tests to detect any abnormalities with your heartbeat. Get in touch with us today on +6596873732 to learn more how we can be of help.
Sunrise Heart Clinic – Heart Check Up | Treadmill ECG Test | Echocardiogram
365 Sembawang Cres, #01-02, Singapore 750365
+65 6235 1137