Heart problems can be scary, but it’s important to take action. The first step is to see your doctor or cardiologist.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and in Scottsdale Arizona as well. It’s also a leading cause of disability. Heart disease happens when your heart doesn’t pump blood well enough to meet your body’s needs. Over time, this can cause damage to the heart muscle and other organs.
Heart disease is often called coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD happens when plaque (a waxy substance) builds up on the inner walls of the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle. Plaque buildup causes the arteries to narrow, which makes it harder for blood to flow through them and reach your heart muscle. Plaque can break off from an artery wall and travel through your bloodstream until it gets stuck in another part of the body, usually in an artery leading to your brain or lungs. This is called a blood clot or a stroke or a heart attack if it happens in the heart itself.
The right cardiologist in Scottsdale can help you prevent, manage and treat heart problems. The best place to start is with your primary care doctor. He or she can recommend a cardiologist Scottsdale Arizona specialist who specializes in treating heart problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes, which are common risk factors for heart disease.
If you don’t have a doctor or aren’t sure where to find one who specializes in cardiology, talk to your local hospital or medical school about getting a referral from them.
Ask your friends and family members for recommendations. People tend to trust referrals from people they know and trust, so ask your network for referrals. If you don’t have anyone in mind, ask your doctor or nurse practitioner for recommendations, too.
Search online – Visit the doctor’s website to learn more about what services he/she offers and how much insurance will cover for these treatments. You should also check out his/her educational background and qualifications before making an appointment with him or her, especially if you’re looking for a specific type of specialist such as an interventional cardiologist or heart surgeon.