Despite the fact that most people today are aware of the need to watch their weight and monitor their diet to stay healthy it is a sad fact that many remain unaware when it comes to how to keep their heart healthy.
The secret to a healthy heart lies not just in knowing how much you can safely eat and drink but also in recognising when things may be going wrong and what to do about it. And it helps to have knowledge of the factors and events which may lead you to see a London cardiologist.
1.GP Referral or Family History of Heart Disease
When you have a regular check-up your GP will no doubt ask questions about your family’s health history. This may throw up certain risk factors like a family history of heart disease or lifestyle issues. Or perhaps you already have an issue with your heart that your GP thinks should be monitored.
2.Symptoms
You may notice worrying symptoms start to appear. These can include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, chest pain or pressure, or palpitations (irregular heartbeat). Any of these symptoms should warrant a visit either to your GP, or to A & E if they are severe enough, and following this a cardiologist visit will be necessary to begin monitoring your condition.
3.New Exercise Regime
Many understand the benefits of exercise but, if you haven’t exercised regularly for a long time, or you lead a very sedentary lifestyle, it is advisable that you see a cardiologist for a thorough check of your heart before you embark on any new exercise routine. This is doubly important if you are middle-aged or elderly.
4.You Experience a Cardiac Event
This could be anything from experiencing unfamiliar symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pains or it could be a full-blown heart attack. Either way, the experience will be a frightening one and a big wake-up call.
5.Day-to- day Difficulties
If you suddenly feel that you are unable to carry out certain activities that were previously effortless and you get out of breath just taking the simplest of exercise for instance, then this is a sign that something could be going wrong.
What does a cardiologist do?
A cardiologist is a doctor who specialises in finding and treating diseases of the heart and the blood vessels that service the heart as well as heart attacks, heart failure and heart rhythm disturbances. They also specialise in helping to prevent heart problems from appearing or escalating.
He or she can explain about how certain risk factors and lifestyle choices can affect the health of your heart and how changes can help to prevent heart disease. If you are unlucky enough to suffer a heart attack the cardiologist can help to manage any incidents and their after-effects. Following an event of this kind or following on from a GP referral your cardiologist will monitor your condition for as long as he or she deems it necessary.
Author Bio
Christina Woodard is a highly enthusiastic writer who writes interesting posts on a wide range of topics related to health, fashion, lifestyle, and travel industries. Her ability to carry out in-depth research makes her posts truly unique and informative.
