CARDIOLOGY

A cardiologist is a physician, who diagnoses cardiovascular diseases, as well as provides advice to patients with arrhythmias, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, loss of consciousness (fainting during exercise), if the patient’s family has congenital heart problems, as well as in cases of other heart diseases.There are several signals when you need to go to a cardiologist – feeling painful pain behind the sternum, feeling short of breath (shortness of breath), feeling palpitations and in cases of high blood pressure.

The most typical cardiovascular diseases are: coronary heart disease (chronic changes in blood vessels), atherosclerosis (cholesterol build-up in the walls of blood vessels), angina (pain in the heart area), myocardial infarction (heart attack), arrhythmia (arrhythmia), high blood pressure (above 140/90 mmHg) or arterial hypertension, stroke (cerebrovascular disease), heart failure (inability of the muscle to pump blood) and heart valve disease. Cardiology and cardiologists help to diagnose and treat these symptoms.

Cardiovascular disease often develops gradually over a number of years. They can also be inherited, but numerous risk factors contribute to the development of diseases (e.g. smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol and alcohol consumption, etc.). Many cardiovascular diseases can be treated successfully, but it is important to recognize the symptoms and keep track of your health. Cooperation with a cardiologist and timely diagnosis of the disease is particularly important.

To clarify the diagnosis, the cardiologist may designate additional diagnostic tests like: blood tests – measuring both cholesterol and sugar levels, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, Holter monitoring (24h ECG recording), physical endurance test – bicycle ergometry, cardiopulmonary exercise test, blood pressure monitoring and computed tomography coronarography.

During the first consultation, the cardiologist will listen to the patient, discuss the potential diagnosis and designate the additional examinations required. The doctor can also provide detailed answers to the patient’s question and draw up the necessary treatment program.

The price of a consultation will depend on the chosen institution and doctor, as well as from the additional services required. Usually, the price of a visit to a specialist will start from EUR 40, but the patient should bear in mind that additional examinations may be required. For example, echocardiography can cost EUR 50 or more, will the price of bicycle ergometry starts from EUR 45.

Yes. Latvia’s cardiologists are experienced professionals, who have served as interns at many foreign university hospitals. Extensive diagnostic options are available for both adults and children, starting from infancy. High level cardio surgery for children is also available in Latvia. At the BCUS Cardiology Clinic, an average of 200 heart operations are performed on children annually. Latvia’s cardiologists work in close collaboration with foreign clinics.

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