
The cardiological examination
WHAT IS A CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION?
This is a specialist examination in which the cardiologist assesses the health of the heart.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION?
The cardiological examination is used to ascertain the origin of symptoms affecting the chest including pain, breathlessness and palpitations, but also weakness and syncopes, which may indicate the presence of cardiovascular diseases such as:
- arterial hypertension;
- cardiomyopathies;
- ischaemic heart disease;
- heart failure;
- valvulopathies (heart valve diseases).
It is also essential during the follow-up of patients with prosthetic valves, pacemakers, defibrillators, stents.
WHEN SHOULD A CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION BE CARRIED OUT?
Your doctor may prescribe a specialist examination if there are any of the above symptoms, or as part of the follow-up of the above diseases.
If you are pregnant, a cardiological examination with ECG is recommended:
- if one has not been undergone in the last three years;
- if the mother is a smoker;
- if the mother is above the age of 35;
- if there is a cardiological history or family history of cardiovascular disease.
HOW DOES THE CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION TAKE PLACE?
First of all, the cardiologist talks to the patient to get an anamnesis, i.e., the detailed collection of information on the patient:
- habits and lifestyle (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diet...);
- any pathologies;
- recent or ongoing drug treatment;
- familiarity with cardiovascular disease.
The specialist then listens to the heart and measures the patient's blood pressure.
If deemed necessary, the doctor may undergo the patient to an electrocardiogram (ECG), a non-invasive and painless test that accurately records the heart's activity through the application of electrodes and detects arrhythmias or coronary artery disease.
In addition to the electrocardiogram, the cardiologist may prescribe additional diagnostic tests like a colour Doppler echocardiogram, a stress test, a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
HOW DO YOU GET READY FOR A CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION?
No special procedure is needed, but the patient is advised to bring all the reports of the last examinations related to the cardiological problem.
YOUR CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION IN AUXOLOGICO
The clinical and research activity of Cardiology and Cardiological Rehabilitation at Auxologico is a specialised acknowledged excellence, offering a complete and high quality answer to all heart problems, with specialist examinations, advanced instrumental examinations (cardiac and vascular ultrasound scans, magnetic resonance imaging, CT scans, stress tests and more) and dedicated check-ups at all Auxologico outpatient sites.