Understanding the specialty
A specialty devoted to the heart and blood vessels, from preventive assessment to follow-up of cardiovascular conditions.
Preventing cardiovascular disease is an important part of my work, alongside the care provided by your usual doctor. A cardiology check-up offers time for discussion and assessment, to understand your situation before disease becomes apparent or to better manage an identified risk.
We review your personal and family history, medicines, blood pressure, physical activity and tobacco use. Available results, particularly cholesterol and blood glucose, help complete the assessment. The clinical examination and useful cardiac tests are chosen according to your individual profile.
The assessment helps set practical priorities: suitable physical activity, a balanced diet, stopping smoking and managing risk factors. Follow-up frequency depends on your circumstances; prevention is an ongoing process.
Cardiovascular health matters for women too. Around menopause, hormonal and metabolic changes can be accompanied by changes in cholesterol, weight distribution and cardiovascular risk. This is an important opportunity to review your health, even if you feel well.
Early menopause, high blood pressure during pregnancy or gestational diabetes are important to mention. They add to the usual factors such as smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and family history.
I offer a personalised cardiac assessment to identify risk factors, select useful tests and organise follow-up, working with your usual doctor and, when appropriate, your gynaecologist. The aim is to understand your risk and address the factors that can be changed.
Scientific references : ESC · American Heart Association
The reason for your visit and any necessary tests are discussed during the consultation.
Review your health, medical history and prevention.
Palpitations, breathlessness, faintness or other symptoms that need medical assessment.
High blood pressure, rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease or heart failure.
Prevention
The consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal and family history, treatments and daily life. Bring previous results to help this discussion.
Prepare for your consultationYour consultation, step by step
The consultation brings together your symptoms, medical history and test results, then considers the next steps in your care.
Reason for your visit, medical history, medicines and questions.
Clinical examination and selection of tests suited to your situation.
Review of results, explanations and discussion of options.
Next steps, any further tests and follow-up.
Milestones in the history of cardiology
Cardiology combines the Greek kardía, meaning heart, with -logy, meaning the study of a field.
William Harvey publishes De motu cordis and describes the heart’s role in blood circulation, a milestone in understanding the human body.
Willem Einthoven receives the Nobel Prize for his work on the mechanism of the electrocardiogram, a way of studying the heart’s electrical activity.
An ECG assesses electrical activity; ultrasound shows the heart’s structures and movement. The tests answer different questions and can complement each other.
Sources and further reading : CNRTL · Royal College of Physicians · Nobel Prize