3 Signs That You Need a Cardiologist

Sometimes the need for a cardiologist is clear cut. If you have a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiac event you will definitely need a cardiologist’s care. But for many people the decision of whether to see a cardiologist, or let a general practitioner keep tabs on their heart health, is a bit murkier.

Here are three times you should absolutely see a cardiologist:

1. If you have a family history of heart attacks or sudden death before age 60 you should definitely see a cardiologist. You want to discuss your family history, and request screenings for the following risk factors that tend to run in families: low HDL cholesterol, Lp(a), serum ferritin, homycysteine, and fibrinogen. 

2. If you have chest pain, syncope (unexplained passing out), or shortness of breath with exertion, you need to see a cardiologist as soon as possible.

3. If you’re a man over 40 or a woman over age 45 and are embarking on a new exercise program, I recommend visiting a cardiologist for a stress test to rule out any undetected heart issues.

If you don’t already have a cardiologist, here are my top five tips for finding the right cardiologist for you.

Now it’s your turn: Do you have any questions for me about cardiology?

You May Also Be Interested In:

• 4 Medical Tests You Should Get
• What is the VAP Test?