Who to Turn to for Heart Care
Many people don't think about a heart specialist until they are faced with an emergency. There are several types of heart doctors with sub-specialization in the different forms of heart conditions.
Heart & Vascular Center
- John K. Pruellage
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Get to know who's who among heart specialists:
General Cardiologist — specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists can coordinate all aspects of your heart care whether you need medication management, a referral for heart surgery or other specialized procedures.
Non-invasive Cardiologist — focuses on using specific diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound or stress testing to evaluate the working condition of the heart, valves, or blood vessels.
Invasive Cardiologist — uses catheters and angiography to both diagnose and treat various types of heart disease. These devices are inserted through a small opening, typically in a patient’s arm or leg. An example is cardiac catheterization.
Interventional Cardiologist — focuses specifically on invasive cardiac catheterization procedures for non-surgical treatment of heart disease. Examples include balloon angioplasty and stents of the heart, neck and leg, as well as repair of aneurysms.
Electrophysiologist — specializes in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm problems in patients with fluttering, irregular heartbeats or abnormal heart rhythms (too fast or too slow). Treatments range from medications to the implantation of pacemakers or minimally invasive ablation procedures.
Cardiovascular Surgeon — focuses on surgical procedures of the heart and blood vessels. These include heart valve repair or replacement, coronary artery bypass, aneurysm repairs and surgical repairs of the aorta.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon — focuses on surgical procedures related to the heart as well as other organs and conditions in the chest. Examples include heart transplants, repair of congenital heart defects and procedures to treat lung disease.
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit find a physician online.
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