• Published on: Sep 18, 2021
  • 6 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Cardiologists Near Me: Specialist Doctor You Need To Call & When.

  • WhatsApp share link icon
  • copy & share link icon
  • twitter share link icon
  • facebook share link icon

Cardiologists near me: Understanding which specialist doctor you need to call & when.

Cardiologists take care of patients with heart conditions, perform surgeries to repair damaged hearts, and diagnose congenital heart defects in infants. They work closely with other physicians, including neurologists who deal with hypertension, vascular surgeons who repair blocked arteries, cardiothoracic surgeons who open chests to repair or replace diseased or malfunctioning organs within the chest cavity (e.g., the lungs), pulmonologists who specialize in lung diseases affecting your breathing process and cardio-pulmonary specialists that specialize in treating many disorders related to AIMS - atrial inflow into the left ventricle of your heart.

Cardiologists are doctors who specialize in conditions involving the heart and blood vessels. They often deal with fellow physicians to diagnose cardiovascular problems, prescribe treatments, perform procedures, and counsel patients on how to stay healthy.

A cardiologist is a physician with expertise in treating individuals or families that have medical concerns related to the heart especially relating to atherosclerosis affecting coronary arteries which can lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack) causing damage of critical organs such as kidneys, eyes,s, etc.

I hope this also helps explain why cardiologists are different than ordinary doctors. The commonplace misconception is that there's no need for a "cardiologist" because all they do is check your heartbeat. In reality, a cardiovascular specialist will run their own diagnostic tests as well as those ordered by other doctors to determine what you really have. They'll have the most skilled staff, use the latest imaging techniques for diagnosis, and provide patients with custom-tailored treatment plans so not everyone has to follow one particular set of directions--it depends on individual needs!

Dependent on where they work, a cardiologist performs a variety of responsibilities. Clinical cardiologists have the most interaction with patients and conduct many tests, procedures, and consultations to help diagnose a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Non-clinical clinical cardiologists mainly focus on research or teach students. They may also perform research but often specialize in something like molecular genetics or cardiac electrophysiology.

No matter what kind of work they're doing, keeping track of patients' medical histories is an important part as well as diagnosing any heart disease present. For those working as an instructor, it might involve teaching university courses that cover topics related to cardiovascular medicine such as ECG interpretation and indications for angioplasty among others.

The word cardiologist is a mouthful. It means "heart specialist” and can be more simply characterized as someone who specializes in cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, lymphedema (it's no coincidence this answers first), peripheral arterial disease, or arrhythmia.

A cardiologist will typically complete medical school before seeking out formal training to be qualified as a cardiology specialist. Cardiologists often work closely with doctors who specialize in pediatric medicine because not many kids are born with cardiovascular problems but once puberty hits, they become especially prevalent. Cardiologists must also maintain familiarity with the latest developments in all parts of clinical cardiac care since the discipline is so

A cardiologist is a variant spelling of cardiologists or cardiologists. It's someone who has training in the field of cardiac disorders and their related treatments, which separates them from other doctors like psychiatrists (who deal with neurological disorders) and pediatricians (who deal with physical but not mental conditions). They typically diagnose heart problems like atrial fibrillation, parasternal whatnots, ventricular septal defects.

Cardiologists diagnose and manage patients with cardiovascular diseases. A cardiologist is a physician specializing in the field of medicine named for the heart, called cardiology.

Cardiologists diagnose and treat disorders of the heart and blood system. They use echocardiography (heart ultrasound), electrocardiography (ECG or EKG), radiographs, stress testing, and cardiac catheterization.

Some cardiology tasks include:

1) Cardiac imaging with either CT or MRI- angiogram- detecting blocked arteries or what type of abnormality occurred to cause a cardiac malfunction such as an explanation for abnormal rhythm such as Torsades de Pointes

2) Assessing risk of sudden death in addition to prevention efforts based on risks factors that may be present

3) Performing therapeutic procedures including angioplasty, stenting vascular injury or narrowing coronary artery

The cardiologist does the following things:

1. Deals with heart-related health problems (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat)

2. Prepares people for various procedures involving the heart.

3. Diagnoses and treats uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).

4. Diagnoses and treats abnormal triglycerides levels in people who are at risk of getting pancreatitis or diabetic ketoacidosis due to severe insulin deficiency; they also diagnose pancreatitis if that is something that hasn't already been done by a nephrologist or gastroenterologist  

5. diagnoses and treats elevated lactate levels in patients who have the preexisting liver disease without shortness of breath. 

You should see a cardiologist if you have pre-existing heart disease or cardiac risk factors. Pre-existing heart disease can include, but is not limited to, coronary artery disease - stenosis and/or obstruction in the arteries that lead to the heart; peripheral vascular disease - narrowing of major blood vessels outside the heart; valvular insufficiency; and congenital defects. Cardiac risk factors such as smoking (very high) or obesity (elevated body fat relative to muscle mass), hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia (a disorder characterized by abnormally elevated levels of cholesterol and fatty substances called lipids circulating within the bloodstream), atrial fibrillation.

  • High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol
  • Heart Disease
  • Obesity

Family history of heart disease or stroke at a young age (less than 55 for women or less than 65 for men)

History of them, with chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness after standing erect for three minutes. Delaying treatment is rarely an option. For many people delaying treatment could mean avoiding painful dental work, sex life changes, etc., but they are accepting the long-term consequences that they may not have seen coming. It's important to be aware that one can suffer from cardiovascular disease and not know it until what is thought to be just a common cold becomes more serious and results in pulmonary edema.

Typically, when someone has a history of high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, or diabetes mellitus.

But if you have heart failure, any type of "heart arrhythmia" (abnormal heart rhythm), chest pain, shortness of breath, dark urine, passing out for no apparent reason, fever, and chills while not having the flu or cold - then call an ambulance because it could be viral myocarditis

If none of the above describe you - then by all means take care of the general crap that plagues us all. Eat well and exercise regularly. And don't smoke!

If you are having palpitations or shortness of breath, see your cardiologist right away. You should also see one if you have a family history of heart trouble. Otherwise, people with risk factors for heart disease may want to speak with their primary care provider about getting an electrocardiogram to make sure they are healthy, but the condition isn’t common enough to warrant screening tests.

A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases, congenital heart defects, oxygen deficiencies around the developing fetus during pregnancy/birth (known as fetal distress), blood vessel disorders such as aneurysms or buildups of arteries that also cause high blood pressure called atherosclerosis)

When you've experienced an episode of chest pain, insomnia, fainting spells, or feel like your heart is racing. A lot of the time people who are feeling symptoms will go to their family physician instead. A better idea would be to visit a cardiologist that specializes in heart disease. Not only will they work with the person to get them healthy but they're also there for long-term care and follow-up visits when needed.

When your symptoms, physical exam findings, or cardiac workup result in a diagnosis of heart disease. In general, people with the following symptoms should talk to their doctor about being referred for a cardiology appointment:

Shortness of breath - asthma is not usually an issue with heart failure and doctors could also look for other underlying causes. Wheezing or coughing that occurs when lying down can be important clues. Palpitations. Chest pain under the breastbone lasting more than a few minutes without going away often suggests angina due to coronary artery disease which needs further evaluation by a cardiologist. 

It is necessary to see a cardiologist if you experience heart palpitations, lightheadedness, chest pains, or shortness of breath. Heart palpitations are the irregular heartbeat that occurs when the electrical signal originates in the part of your heart that tells your heart to beat skips or doubles beats. The Heart Association defines shortness of breath as having trouble getting enough oxygen into your body resulting in feeling like you can't breathe. Chest pain includes any pain to one's ribs, shoulders, or arms and excludes doting which may be caused by musculoskeletal problems including arthritis; muscle spasm, backache; diseases such as cancer which may cause these symptoms; 

When you have any of the following symptoms: Chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath (dyspnea), pain in the arm(s) or back (due to narrowing of the arteries.)

Luckily enough, if you don't experience anything listed above then chances are that you're completely healthy and live an otherwise symptom-free life. You can learn more about your risk factors by checking out the NIH's website for the cardiovascular disease here.

Interestingly, when heart problems are suspected to be the cause of chest pain, health care providers usually send patients for an electrocardiogram instead of ordering a cardiac catheterization. An ECG will show if any areas in the heart are not working normally. Fluoroscopy studies using contrast-enhanced X-ray pictures can show how blood is flowing through the coronary arteries and whether there are any blockages. If fluoroscopy does not turn up anything suspicious on an ECG or high blood flow rates in the coronaries do not support angina at rest, it is far less likely that coronary artery disease is causing their symptoms than if they had traditional risk factors like smoking.

If you need to see a cardiologist, there is probably one thing that has revealed this. What's different about you? Some common telltale signs that might require an appointment with a cardiologist are the following: chest pain or discomfort, unexplained shortness of breath or dizzy spells, unexplained fainting spells due to nervous system issues (usually involving blood pressure), heart palpitations during physical activity, irregular heartbeats which last for more than one hour consecutively.

The cardiologist does several things for eg Pediatric Cardiologists: Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on children with congenital heart diseases such as tetralogy of Fallot syndrome. Treatment may include surgical correction of the defect or replacement with an artificial device such as a shunt or ventricular assist device.

Read Blog
Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetics plays a significant role in determining an individual’s risk for various diseases. In India, where chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders are increasing rapidly, genetic predisposition testing has emerged as a powerful preventive tool. It helps individuals understand inherited risk factors long before symptoms appear, allowing timely intervention.

SecondMedic offers guided genetic screening to help patients uncover DNA-based risks and take proactive control of their long-term health.

What Is Genetic Predisposition Testing?

Genetic predisposition testing analyzes a person’s DNA to identify mutations, variations, or inherited markers associated with increased disease risk. It does not diagnose a disease but reveals how likely an individual is to develop certain conditions.

What the test identifies:

  • Gene mutations
     

  • Family-linked disease patterns
     

  • Hereditary cancer markers
     

  • Metabolic and cardiovascular risks
     

  • Neurological conditions
     

  • Autoimmune predispositions
     

These insights help individuals and doctors make informed preventive health decisions.

Why Genetic Testing Is Growing in India

1. High prevalence of lifestyle and hereditary diseases

India is the diabetes capital of the world, and many metabolic disorders have genetic roots.

2. Increasing cancer burden

BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes are being detected more often.

3. Awareness about preventive healthcare

People want to act early rather than wait for disease onset.

4. Growth of digital healthcare

Easy access through telemedicine platforms like SecondMedic.

5. Rising chronic cases at younger ages

Genetic predispositions often accelerate early onset of disease.

What Diseases Can Genetic Testing Predict?

1. Cancer Risk

Includes hereditary cancers such as:

  • Breast
     

  • Ovarian
     

  • Colorectal
     

  • Prostate
     

  • Pancreatic
     

BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome genes are key markers.

2. Heart Disease & Hypertension

Genes that influence:

  • Cholesterol levels
     

  • Plaque formation
     

  • Blood pressure regulation
     

3. Diabetes

Genes that affect insulin sensitivity and metabolic function.

4. Obesity

Markers linked to appetite regulation and fat storage.

5. Neurological Disorders

Including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy predispositions.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Genes related to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders.

7. Drug Response (Pharmacogenomics)

DNA determines how the body reacts to certain medications.

How Genetic Predisposition Testing Works

Step 1: Sample Collection

Usually saliva, blood, or buccal swab.

Step 2: DNA Sequencing

Advanced technology identifies variations in your genome.

Step 3: Risk Analysis

Gene mutations are mapped to known disease risks.

Step 4: Expert Interpretation

SecondMedic’s genetic counsellors and doctors review results.

Step 5: Preventive Plan

Includes recommended lifestyle changes, screenings, and monitoring.

Benefits of Genetic Predisposition Testing

1. Detect Risk Before Symptoms

Allows decades of preventive action.

2. Personalized Health Planning

Diet, exercise, and medical screening tailored to DNA.

3. Early Cancer Detection

Essential for women with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk.

4. Family Health Insights

Identifies conditions that may affect children and siblings.

5. Improved Treatment Outcomes

Knowing your risk helps doctors monitor you more closely.

6. Better Drug Selection

Pharmacogenomics ensures medications match your genetic profile.

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing?

  • People with family history of cancer
     

  • Individuals whose relatives had early heart attacks
     

  • Families with diabetes across generations
     

  • Women with breast or ovarian cancer history
     

  • Couples planning pregnancy
     

  • People with unexplained chronic conditions
     

  • Individuals wanting personalized preventive healthcare
     

Limitations of Genetic Testing

1. Not a diagnosis

It shows probability, not certainty.

2. Environmental and lifestyle factors still matter

Genes interact with habits and environment.

3. Requires professional interpretation

Raw results without counselling can be confusing.

SecondMedic ensures accurate guidance through experienced specialists.

How SecondMedic Supports Genetic Testing

1. End-to-End Genetic Screening

From sample collection to detailed analysis.

2. Expert Review

Genetic counselors and doctors explain every risk factor.

3. Personalized Preventive Plan

Nutrition, exercise, and screening based on DNA.

4. Confidential Reporting

All data is securely stored.

5. Integrated Preventive Tracking

Follow-up tests and monitoring for high-risk individuals.

Future of Genetic Testing in India

  • AI-based genome interpretation
     

  • Affordable whole-genome sequencing
     

  • Predictive analytics for early cancer
     

  • Family-wide health risk mapping
     

  • Integration with digital health IDs under ABDM
     

SecondMedic aims to make genetic screening widely accessible and scientifically guided.

Conclusion

Genetic predisposition testing India empowers individuals by revealing inherited disease risks long before symptoms develop. It supports preventive healthcare, early cancer detection, and personalized wellness planning. With platforms like SecondMedic offering expert-guided genetic testing, Indians can now take proactive control of their long-term health.

To book your genetic test, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

  • ICMR – Genetic research insights
     

  • NIH – Genetic testing guidelines
     

  • WHO – Genomic medicine developments
     

  • Statista – DNA testing market India
     

  • SecondMedic genetic health studies

See all

Live Doctor consultation
Live Doctor Chat

Download Our App & Get Consultation from anywhere.

App Download
call icon for mobile number calling and whatsapp at secondmedic