A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted. When the brain lacks sufficient blood flow for a long enough period of time, brain damage or even death can result. Immediate medical attention and early treatment are critical to helping minimize damage to brain tissue and improve the outcome.
Types of Strokes
There are two major types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes, the most common type, occur when a blood clot blocks the arteries leading to the brain and cuts off blood flow. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain.
At the first sign of a stroke, patients should seek medical care immediately. Symptoms of a stroke vary, but typically occur suddenly and include:
- Weakness, tingling or numbness in a limb
- Partial loss of vision
- Inability to move a limb
- Double vision, vertigo or loss of balance
- Difficulty swallowing
- Memory loss
- Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
- Uncontrollable eye movements
What Causes Strokes?
Smoking is the number one risk factor for strokes, and indeed, making basic lifestyle changes like quitting smoking can significantly reduce your overall risk. These include:
- Weight loss
- Exercise
- Cholesterol and blood pressure management
- Reducing alcohol intake
Aside from lifestyle changes, managing any underlying health conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, also reduce your risk of stroke. If you are concerned about your stroke risk, talk to your cardiologist about what more you could be doing to keep your risk low.
If you are looking for a doctor that uniquely specializes in diseases and conditions of the heart and blood vessels, you want to see a cardiologist. A cardiologist goes through four years of medical school and then three years of training in general medicine before spending three years or more in specialized training to handle heart and vessel related health issues.
When Should You See a Cardiologist?
If you have seen your general practitioner and they believe that you have symptoms that are indicative of a heart problem, they may refer you to a cardiologist.
Symptoms of heart problems include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting spells
- Heart murmur
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
What Does a Cardiologist Do?
Cardiologists diagnose heart disease, and help those who have it to manage their condition and live a healthier life to prevent other complications. They also handle heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms and heart failure. A cardiologist is also the doctor that determines whether angioplasty or heart surgery is necessary to correct an issue.
What Happens at an Appointment with a Cardiologist?
Your cardiologist will take your vitals when you visit, including your blood pressure and heart rate, and perform a physical examination. They will also discuss your detailed medical history to pinpoint your risk factors for developing certain conditions.
Some conditions can be diagnosed through a physical exam. Other issues will require additional testing, like an EKG or a blood test. Aside from discussing treatment options like medications or procedures, we may also recommend lifestyle changes. This may include increasing exercise or improving your diet.
If your general practitioner has referred you to a cardiologist, or you feel you may be experiencing heart-related symptoms, call our office today to schedule an appointment. The health of your heart is too important to hesitate over.
