Cardiology

Cardiology

In addition to the outpatient services provided by our specialist doctors in cardiology, the following diagnostic and treatment methods are available:

• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Echocardiography (ECHO)
• Stress ECHO
• Exercise Test
• Holter Monitor for Rhythm
• Holter Monitor for Blood Pressure

In our Radiology department, examinations for diagnosing and treating heart diseases are performed using methods such as carotid Doppler and multi-slice coronary CT angiography.

Remember that heart and vascular diseases, which are common both in our country and worldwide, are preventable and treatable conditions.

Who Should Consult a Cardiology Clinic?

• Individuals with symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, quick fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, and leg swelling.
• Individuals at high risk for heart disease: those with a history of hypertension or diabetes, overweight, smokers, or those with a family history of cardiovascular disease at an early age (before 55 in women and before 45 in men).
• Individuals with known cardiovascular diseases (history of heart attack, stent placement, or bypass surgery).
• Individuals with suspected or diagnosed hypertension.
• Those with high cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Individuals with a history or symptoms of heart failure (such as quick fatigue, shortness of breath, leg swelling).
• Patients with heart valve disease.
• Those with rhythm disorders.
• Individuals with congenital heart disease.
• Those with a family history of aortic aneurysm.
• Patients with peripheral artery and vein diseases.
• Asymptomatic individuals over 40 years of age: These individuals are evaluated in our cardiology clinic to assess their risk for heart attack and cardiovascular disease.

Have You Had Your Cardiology Check-Up?

Asymptomatic individuals over 40 years of age are evaluated in our cardiology clinic to assess their risk for heart attack and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiology examination
ECG
Echocardiography
Exercise Test (depending on the doctor’s recommendation)
Diagnostic Methods for Heart Diseases at INTERMED

Electrocardiography (ECG):
Electrical activity of the heart is recorded using electrodes placed on the chest. It shows rhythm and conduction abnormalities and provides information about structural heart issues and cardiovascular diseases.

Echocardiography (ECHO):
This involves examining the heart’s structure and function using a specialized ultrasound device. It is used in various situations:

• To identify the cause of heart murmurs detected during examination.
• When there are abnormal changes on an ECG.
• To evaluate unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, quick fatigue, palpitations, or fainting.
• For rhythm disturbances.
• To assess suspected heart enlargement or failure.
• For suspected heart valve disease.
• To evaluate heart function in patients with known cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart attack, stent, or bypass history).
• To assess the structure and size of major arteries leaving the heart (aorta and pulmonary artery) and to plan treatment.

Exercise Test:
The patient walks on a treadmill with electrodes and a blood pressure cuff attached. The test starts with a speed and incline chosen by the doctor, which are increased every 3 minutes. The test is terminated based on the patient’s request or the doctor’s decision. It provides objective information about the patient’s exercise capacity and the presence of significant cardiovascular disease. The patient should be evaluated by a physician before undergoing the exercise test.

Who Should Have an Exercise Test?

Those with symptoms related to exercise (e.g., chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations) to identify the cause.
Individuals at high risk for heart disease but without symptoms, to assess exercise capacity and potential cardiovascular disease.
Patients with known coronary artery disease (history of heart attack, bypass, or stent) to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Blood Pressure Holter:
An automatic blood pressure cuff is worn on the arm, measuring blood pressure at regular intervals, typically every 30 minutes.

Who Should Have Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement?

• Those suspected of having white coat hypertension.
• Individuals with suspected resistant hypertension.
• Patients with normal clinic blood pressure but organ damage related to hypertension.
• Those with suspected nocturnal (night-time) hypertension (e.g., due to sleep apnea).
• To assess the effectiveness of hypertension treatment.
• Used in pregnant women, elderly, children, and adolescents to diagnose hypertension.

Rhythm Holter:
A small portable device records ECG for 24-48 hours using electrodes placed on the chest. It helps detect rhythm disturbances that may not be visible during a regular exam but could cause palpitations, chest pain, or dizziness.

Uses:

• To determine if there is a relationship between symptoms such as palpitations, fainting, or dizziness and rhythm disorders.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in patients with diagnosed rhythm disorders.

Multi-Slice Coronary CT Angiography:
This imaging technique visualizes the coronary arteries using computed tomography. It helps diagnose coronary artery disease that could potentially lead to a sudden heart attack, particularly in individuals at intermediate to high risk who do not require conventional angiography.