Glossary
Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of the heart as well as some parts of the cardiovascular system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and electrophysiology.
Cardiology is a specialty within internal medicine, and cardiologists are therefore physicians who specialize in this area. The term "cardiology" is derived from the Greek words "kardia" which means "heart" and "logia" which means "study." Therefore, cardiology can be literally interpreted as the study of the heart. It involves a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function, and disorders of the heart and the blood vessels. Cardiology encompasses a wide range of conditions and diseases.
Cardiology includes:
Coronary artery disease
Heart failure
Arrhythmias
Valvular heart diseases
Congenital heart defects
Cardiologists use a variety of diagnostic tools and procedures to identify and treat heart conditions. These include:
Electrocardiograms (ECGs), which measure the electrical activity of the heart;
Echocardiograms, which use ultrasound to create images of the heart
Cardiac catheterization, which involves inserting a thin tube into a blood vessel to examine the heart and blood vessels.
Stress tests, which involve monitoring the heart while the patient exercises, to detect heart disease.
Cardiologists also provide education and management of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking.
Cardiology is a vital branch of medicine that focuses on the heart and its related diseases. As our understanding of the heart and its diseases continues to grow, so too will the field of cardiology, offering new hope for patients with heart disease.