Outline of cardiology

Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of the heart as well as some parts of the circulatory system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.

Overview

Cardiology is concerned with the normal functionality of the heart and the deviation from a healthy heart. Many disorders involve the heart itself but some are outside of the heart and in the vascular system. Collectively, the two together are termed the cardiovascular system and diseases of one part tend to affect the other.

Branches of Cardiology

Cardiology is a complex field with many sub-specialties including:

• Cardiac electrophysiology: Study of the electrical properties and conduction diseases of the heart.
• Cardiogeriatrics: Treatment of heart disease in the elderly.
• Cardio-oncology: Study of the cardiovascular effects of cancer treatment.
• Interventional cardiology: Use of catheters for the treatment of structural heart diseases.
• Pediatric cardiology: Treatment of heart conditions in children and infants.

Diseases and Disorders

Cardiology deals with a wide range of diseases and disorders, some of which include:

• Coronary artery disease: Disease of the arteries supplying the heart.
• Heart failure: A condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
• Valvular heart disease: Disease of one or more of the four valves of the heart.
• Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle.
• Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Cardiologists use a variety of diagnostic techniques to identify and treat heart diseases:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart.
• Cardiac stress test: Measures the heart's ability to respond to external stress.
• Cardiac catheterization: Insertion of a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart.

Treatments

Treatment in cardiology includes lifestyle modifications, medication, and surgery. In some cases, a combination of all three may be used.

See Also

• Cardiovascular disease
• Cardiac surgery
• Cardiac nursing
• Cardiac rehabilitation

References

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