Different Types of Cardiologists
New patients are sometimes surprised by the wide range of cardiac specialists at Oklahoma Heart Hospital. There are many types of cardiologists with different emphases and specialties who all work toward our overarching mission: to provide the best possible care for our patients. Here’s a look at just some of the types of cardiologists you might meet at OHH.
General cardiologists
Often, the first type of cardiologist a patient sees is a general cardiologist. These doctors have trained as a cardiologist and now practice with an emphasis on imaging and diagnosing heart conditions. They help identify those who are at high risk for heart disease and develop strategies with patients to maintain a long-term and healthy life. They often work with doctors of other specialties to tailor a patient’s care.
Preventative cardiologists
Preventative cardiologists, one of many subspecialties of cardiology, work with patients to identify strategies to lower risk of heart disease before disease develops or progresses. They focus on the health of both the heart and blood vessels. Preventative cardiologists work through research, education, and quality clinical care to help patients lower their risk.
Interventional cardiologists
Some patients who are diagnosed with major heart conditions are referred to an interventional cardiologist. These cardiologists specialize in minimally invasive techniques used to treat heart conditions, such as catheter procedures. Catheters are small tubes that are inserted in a blood vessel and travel to the heart to perform diagnostic imaging, angioplasty, stent placement, and ablation. Interventional cardiologists uses catheter-based procedures to avoid more invasive open heart surgeries.
Electrophysiologists
When arrhythmias arise, it could be a problem with the electrical system that controls how the heart beats. Electrophysiologists are experts in the heart’s electrical system. They treat and diagnose atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and other arrhythmias; place pacemakers; and use cardiac ablation to treat arrhythmias.
Cardiothoracic surgeons
These cardiologists are surgeons who operate on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other parts of the chest. They perform heart and lung transplants, valve replacements, cancer removal, correction of congenital heart defects, and many other surgeries on the chest.
Nuclear cardiologists
Some imaging techniques for heart problems require the use of radioactive materials to image, diagnose, and treat disease. A nuclear cardiologist specializes in these noninvasive techniques. One of the most common techniques is a nuclear stress test, which utilizes radioactive material during a stress test to see how blood flows through the heart. By imaging the heart before and after the test, nuclear cardiologists can determine which parts of the heart are damaged.
There are many types of cardiologists who treat patients at OHH. Patients also receive care from vascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and many more team members at OHH. All these specialties come together to pursue the best possible care for each of our patients.
If you have a family history of heart disease or are experiencing symptoms of a heart condition, reach out to us to schedule an appointment with one of our cardiologists.