An interventional cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These doctors use imaging technologies like angiography, X-rays to diagnose these diseases. They can implement minimally invasive procedures such as coronary stents and pacemaker insertion, among many others, to treat them.

Interventional cardiologists are also called in when a person experiences heart attack symptoms. This article looks at some conditions that may prompt you to visit a Covington interventional cardiologist. Read on to learn more.

• Chest Pain

Many people associate the term chest pain with a heart attack. However, this can be a symptom of other ailments as well. Many conditions may cause chest pain and not all signal heart problems.

Chest pain can arise from musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis or an injury to the ribs, muscles, or connective tissues. For many people, this type of pain can be excruciating, and it is vital to get an accurate diagnosis to prescribe the proper treatment.

The interventional cardiologist will use an electrocardiogram to determine if the chest pain you are experiencing stems from your heart or not.

• Hypertension

This is another condition that may be underdiagnosed in many people. When timely diagnosis does not happen, this can result in heart disease or even stroke in some individuals.

You should take hypertension and high BP readings seriously, and it is best to consult an interventional cardiologist who can help you manage your condition with medications.

• Atrial Fibrillation

This is a type of arrhythmia, which is a problem with the heart’s rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the atria (the heart’s upper chambers).

This condition can increase your risk of stroke, and it is vital to get it under control. The interventional cardiologist may implant an electronic pacemaker in your chest to manage this ailment.

• Heart Attack Symptoms

These symptoms will vary from one person to the next depending on the severity of the attack and what part of the heart is affected. However, some of these signs may include:

• Pain spreading to your shoulders, arms, back, or jaw
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sudden sweating

• Shortness of Breath

It is normal to experience shortness of breath after exercising or even when climbing a flight of stairs. However, it is essential to consult your interventional cardiologist if this symptom lasts for several days and affects your routine. Shortness of breath could signify a more severe condition such as a heart attack.

• Ventricular Fibrillation

This is a severe condition that can result in sudden death. Ventricular fibrillation is an electrical problem that causes the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers) to quiver instead of contracting normally.

When this problem occurs, blood is not pumped effectively throughout the body, leading to cardiac arrest. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Chest pain 
• Sudden dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations

If you experience these symptoms, it is crucial to seek emergency medical attention.

The interventional cardiologist will work to stabilize your condition and may implant a defibrillator in your chest to help regulate your heart’s rhythm.

To summarize, an interventional cardiologist is a medical expert specializing in diagnosing and treating disorders of the heart and blood vessels. If you have frequent chest pains, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension, you may need to see one. If you experience shortness of breath even without activity or have heart attack symptoms, you should also see one.