Cardiologist Accepting New Patients in Buffalo, NY

A cardiologist is a doctor that specializes in conditions of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels. There are numerous vascular system conditions, so a cardiologist’s range of education and experience is quite broad. The most common heart disease seen is coronary artery disease, where atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the vessels, occurs in the coronary arteries that surface the heart muscle and deliver it oxygen for proper functioning. Coronary artery disease can progressively lead to heart failure.
 
Cardiomyopathy, also known as heart muscle disease, is characterized by decreased heart functioning and ineffective blood pumping. Cardiomyopathy may be categorized as “dilated,” in which the heart’s chambers become larger, or “hypertrophic,” where the heart muscle, called the myocardium, thickens. A disease of the heart’s valves, also known as valvular heart disease, may also be treated by a cardiologist. There are many types of valvular heart disease, such as endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the heart’s inner lining and valves. Heart disease resulting from rheumatic fever is termed rheumatic heart disease and most commonly affects the mitral (also referred to as the bicuspid) valve. Other valvular problems include stenosis, prolapse, and regurgitation. In stenosis, the valve opening narrows and weakens, disallowing less blood flow when the valve should be open and allowing more backflow when the valve should be closed. Similarly, in regurgitation, the valve’s leaflets do not close entirely as the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) contract, causing blood to flow backward into the atria (upper chambers of the heart).
 
Congenital heart disease (birth defects of the heart) and pericardial disease such as pericarditis (inflammation of the protective lining of the heart) may also be treated by a cardiologist. Further, these specialized cardiac doctors treat arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm or rate), heart defects, and murmurs. Conditions pertaining to the blood vessels rather than the heart are also treated by cardiologists as these structures are part of the cardiovascular system. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which blood clots form in the veins. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of VTE that occurs when a blood clot forms in a “deep vein,” a vein with a paired artery. If one of these clots dislodge and travels to the brain vessels, it may result in an ischemic stroke, where a lack of blood and subsequent oxygen deficiency deprives and damages brain tissue.
 
An aneurysm, which is a weakening of the artery wall resulting in a dangerously vulnerable bulge, may also be treated by a cardiologist. Overall, a cardiologist may provide various treatment options for cardiac-related conditions, varying from lifestyle changes to open-heart surgery. A cardiologist will collaborate with other specialized doctors, health care providers, pharmacists, and surgeons to appropriately treat your concerns and optimize your health outcomes and quality of life (QOL).

The prevalence of various symptoms related to heart disease is generally consistent across men and women, though some signs are seen more in these groups than others. For instance, men are more likely to experience chest pain with heart disease, though women may feel more nauseous, short of breath, or tired. Chest pain is usually an early sign of a heart problem and is often described as tightness or pressure. Angina is a precursor of a heart attack and is characterized by chest pain caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart, worsening with activity. Women may experience indigestion or heartburn and not think much of it, though these pains may be an early warning sign of heart disease.
 
Patients may feel this pain radiate into the neck, jaw, arms, or back and may experience numbness and tingling in the extremities. Arrhythmias, lightheadedness, dizziness, and syncope (fainting) may also be signs of a heart problem. If you see more severe symptoms, including edema (fluid accumulation causing swelling, usually in the lower limbs), fever, productive cough with blood-tinged sputum, or cyanosis (bluish skin due to lack of oxygen), a doctor should be notified.

Yes. Sterling Health Care is currently accepting new patients. You may book an appointment to see one of our specialists online or by phone. We are eager to hear from you and aid you in your recovery from heart disease, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.

Finding a new doctor may seem complicated, though you will generally be able to tell if you feel comfortable in your doctor’s care during a one-on-one meeting. It is beneficial to ask your doctor about their education and experience, especially if you are looking for specific certifications or specializations.
 
It is also crucial to ask about their availability, how often they are in the office and if they have a long list of patients they see. It is equally good to know, should an emergency occur, who at the care center would oversee your health care, or if you would be referred elsewhere temporarily.
 
Finally, it would be best if you briefly discussed your health concerns with a potentially new doctor to develop a mutual understanding of your health goals and values in care. Talk to our team of healthcare professionals today at Sterling Heart Care about the treatments we offer and how we can help keep your health in check. We serve patients from Buffalo NY, Sloan NY, Kenmore NY, Pine Hill NY, Cleveland Hill NY, and Kaisertown NY.