Types of Cardiologists: Which Specialist Do You Need?
June 26, 2024
With preventative practices, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, we hope you avoid the need for a cardiologist – a doctor who specializes in the treatment of the heart and blood vessels. But chances are, you may need a cardiologist as some point, especially if you have a family history that puts you at risk.
While most people know that a cardiologist takes care of your heart, did you know that there are different specialists within cardiology? And they are all available at TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group, the region’s leader in heart and vascular care. Here are three types of cardiology specialties and what each does.
1.) Interventional Cardiology
Interventional cardiology is much like the name implies. An interventional cardiologist intervenes with a patient’s current heart condition with the hope of modifying the outcome for the better. Interventional cardiologists receive additional training to diagnose and treat heart conditions using catheter-based procedures. Interventional cardiologists use flexible tubes, or catheters, to access the heart and blood vessels. These catheterizations are minimally invasive, meaning they don't require open-heart surgery or a large incision.
Interventional cardiologists treat a wide range of conditions, including coronary artery disease, vascular disease, heart valve disease and congenital heart defects.
They also use catheter-based procedures to measure cardiovascular functions like blood pressure and flow. Cardiac interventions can often provide better results than medication alone and eliminate the need for open-heart surgery.
Our interventional cardiologists provide advanced, life-changing care to patients in our area. In addition to their experience in providing traditional interventional cardiology procedures, they offer some of the newest life and limb-saving procedures, such as LimFlow and DETOUR.
2.) Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology (EP) is the specialized field of cardiology related to the heart’s electrical system. An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist that is an expert in diagnosing and treating problems with the heart’s electrical system, such as abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. If your heart is beating too fast or too slow or has other electrical issues, an electrophysiologist will diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms, palpation and fibrillation. These doctors can place defibrillators, pacemakers, use radio waves to restore a normal heartbeat and run tests involving inserting electrical leads in in the heart.
Through TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group - Heart Rhythm Clinic and state-of-the-art interventional EP labs, we provide a full range of heart rhythm services and treatments, including:
- Diagnostic testing, including echocardiography and stress testing
- Remote monitoring using devices including Holter monitors, event monitors and loop recorders
- Medical management
- Pacemaker implantation and maintenance
- Defibrillator implantation and maintenance
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and device clinics
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Pulsed-field ablation
- Other advanced treatments for the most therapy-resistant cases of arrhythmia
- Hybrid MAZE procedure
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (WATCHMAN procedure)
3.) Heart Failure Specialist
Heart failure is when the heart is unable to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. If blood and fluid back up into the lungs, the condition is called congestive heart failure. Heart failure specialists are experts in heart failure management and help people with heart failure to live longer, healthier lives. They use sophisticated techniques, such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, cardiac MRI and diagnostic catheterizations to better understand the causes heart failure and develop a treatment plan.
TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group - Heart Failure supports patients through a wide variety of services, including:
- Medications: We can help you get the medications needed and provide information on how and when to take them.
- Nutrition: We have a dedicated dietician that can provide information on which foods to eat and which foods to avoid.
- Clinic Access: Our program offers you easy access to the heart failure team as often as needed, with a goal of helping you avoid having to go to the emergency room or hospital.
- Overall Health: We can help you understand your total health picture, set goals and access additional services as needed.
- Education: We hope to empower you with the knowledge and understanding you need to manage your condition and minimize health complications.
- Remote Monitoring: We can provide you with equipment to monitor your weight, blood pressure and more in real time – all key factors for managing your heart failure.
These are a few of the cardiology specialties that TMH offers. If you think a cardiologist may be able to help you, talk to your primary care provider about a referral to our team at TMH Physician Partners – Services by Southern Medical Group.
Learn more about all heart services and physicians at TMH.ORG/Heart.
