Health Concerns & Symptoms for a Heart Specialist

Simply put, a cardiologist is a specialist providing care specific to your heart health. While you receive the majority of care from your family doctors, a cardiologist in a cardiology clinic provides customized care necessary to look in depth at current or potential heart issues.

How do you know if it is necessary for you to see a cardiologist?

Let’s take a look at the common ways a person does see a cardiologist for the first time.

Often a person will first go to a cardiologist because they’ve been referred to see one by their primary doctor. If your doctor refers you to see one of our doctors at Zepick Cardiology or another Wichita cardiologist, do it. There would have been some reason to be concerned about your heart health for a doctor to make this recommendation.

The first times some people see a cardiologist is after a visit to the hospital. They came in with medical problems that indicate a potential heart issue.

But there are other times when it is prudent to make an appointment with a cardiologist.

When to See a Cardiologist

1. Family History of Heart Problems

Do you have a family history of cardiovascular issues? If your parents and/or grandparents had heart issues, there is good reason to worry about your own heart health. There is no guarantee you will have the same health problems they did, but there is an increased chance for it. Proactive measures are the best ways to keep your heart healthy and work to keep any hereditary issues at bay. A cardiologist can provide you with clear instructions for lifestyle change to help keep heart issues you may be genetically predisposed of at bay.

As you get older, inherited cardiovascular problems are likely to get worse. So, you don’t want to wait until the age your grandfather was when he had a heart attack. Getting checked by a cardiologist can give you the information you need early enough to work to prevent serious problems.

2. High Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels can lead to cardiovascular problems. What is quite dangerous about cholesterol problems is that they typically don’t cause symptoms. High cholesterol can be easy to ignore and yet also hard to manage. If you have discovered you have high cholesterol, it is best to take steps to lower your levels.

Diet and exercise go a long way in improving cholesterol levels. But sometimes a person’s cholesterol problems cannot be improved with either diet or exercise. A genetic or hereditary problem with cholesterol often requires medication to keep the bad cholesterol numbers low and to reduce your risk for potential heart problems. A cardiologist can work with you to create a heart-healthy plan as well as supply you with necessary prescriptions.

3. Smoking

If you’ve been smoking for a long time, you are at greater risk of having heart problems.

Quitting smoking can be an incredibly difficult habit to stop. Any medical professional will advise you to quit smoking, not just for your heart but for a variety of other health risks smoking causes. If you are not willing to quit smoking, do not let that stop you from seeking out medical care. Take the steps to speak with a cardiologist to learn what how your heart health may have been affected by a long history of smoking.

4. Embarking on a New Exercise Regimen

You’ve probably seen the warning given by workout programs to first consult with a doctor. This advice is given because starting a new exercise routine that may be difficult or strenuous and could increase your risk for heart or cardiac complications. Increased activity will, after all, put your heart to increased work.

Before starting a new exercise routine or regimen, it is advised that you speak with either your primary doctor or going right to a cardiologist for a heart check-up.

There have been new guidelines regarding medical checks before enhanced activity to help you know if you should seek prior medical advice. According to Penn Medicine, here are 3 questions to ask yourself before you start a new workout practice:

1. Are you typically not active? If you mostly have a sedentary lifestyle, you may want to consult a doctor before you start a new exercise program.
2. Do you have signs of heart problems or other conditions that might put you at higher risk for having heart problems? Diabetes, kidney disease and lung disease are just some issues that can predispose you to heart issues. Consult this exhaustive list of conditions that put women at higher risk for cardiovascular problems.
3. What is the exercise or activity you plan to participate in? If you are looking into starting a high-intensity exercise program (like running), you might want to visit a general doctor or cardiologist first. This is particularly true if you answered yes to the first question that you do not live a typically active lifestyle.

5. Gum Disease

Gum disease has been linked to heart problems. Bacteria from your gums can travel to your heart and lead to infections in your heart valves and inflammation in heart vessels. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, you should visit with a cardiologist to make sure your heart health is in check.

Symptoms That May Indicate Cardiac Issues

These next 6 reasons that lead to some people scheduling a visit with a cardiologist are because of certain physical ailments. These symptoms are often associated with cardiovascular issues. People who experience one or more of these could have serious heart problems that need to be diagnosed by a cardiologist.

6. Chest Pain

Chest pain, also called angina, is a real cause for concern. This could indicate a lot of serious health problems, including a heart attack or other cardiac issues.

There are many minor health issues that can cause chest pain, so feeling chest pain does not always mean that you are having heart problems. But because it is such a common ailment with someone suffering serious heart problems, it is a symptom that should not to be ignored or minimized.

7. Shortness of Breath

Feeling short of breath, like having chest pain, can mean a variety of different problems, some serious and some relatively minor. Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, can indicate heart failure or other type of heart disease. For that reason, it is a symptom that may lead you to see a cardiologist.

When should you be concerned? Shortness of breath is a common, normal phenomenon when doing something strenuous or being in a high altitude, but if you experience shortness of breath that is not associated with extra physical activity, high altitude or weather changes, that symptom could indicate a health problem, potentially a life-threatening one.

8. Fainting

While many of us can recall an instance where we have passed out, that does not mean it’s an insignificant symptom that should be ignored. Fainting or passing out can be caused by an irregular heartbeat, which is called an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia occurs when there is a problem with the signals that control your heartbeat.

Diagnosing an arrhythmia isn’t simple, therefore it often requires an experienced cardiologist like those at Zepick Cardiology in Wichita. When getting tested, you may be asked about the circumstances surrounding your fainting spell including what you were doing, what and when you’d last eaten, and if you have any history of passing out.

9. Stroke symptoms (slurred speech, drooping face, numbness)

While cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death among adults in the United States, stroke is the second. A stroke is when there is a problem keeping blood to get to the brain.

Are you aware of the acronym to help you quickly detect signs of a stroke?

F – Facial drooping

A – Arm weakness

S – Speech difficulties

T – Time to call 911

These symptoms are key to taking quick action for a person likely experiencing a stroke.

People with heart disease can have an increased risk for stroke. According to the National Library of Medicine, “9 out of 10 strokes can be prevented by controlling CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk factors.”

Issues with your heart such as high blood pressure can put you at greater risk for having a stroke. Getting any cardiovascular problems under control with the expert care of a cardiologist can not only help you prevent heart problems, but strokes as well.

10. Leg swelling

The issue of having ongoing swollen legs from excess fluid is called edema. It is often a sign of a heart problem.

When your heart isn’t accurately pumping blood through your body, the blood can back up in the veins in your legs. You may feel a pain, ache or burning in the muscles of your lower legs or feet. Sometimes these pains can show up during a walk then go away after resting for a few minutes. You may also feel too tired or weak to handle your normal day-to-day activities.

Having problems with swollen legs may be a clear indication that you should seek medical attention from a cardiologist to address your heart and blood flow.

 11. Palpitations (skipping heartbeats)

Do you feel your heart fluttering? Is it pounding? Does it seem to be beating fast or even skipping beats? Having heart palpitations can be disconcerting as it can indicate serious problems with your cardiovascular system.

There are several factors that can cause heart palpitations other than heart disease, including some medications and exercise. A fever may cause palpations, as can depression or having too much coffee. Many people feel these sorts of heart irregularities for rather harmless reasons.

But there are times when this symptom indicates a more serious heart problem. If it’s happening frequently and lasting for longer than a few seconds, it could be from an issue that should be evaluated by a heart expert. This is especially true if it is accommodated by such other symptoms as fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness.

---

What should you do if you fit into one of those categories?

One thing you can do if you have any of these concerns is to consult with your regular doctor. You should expect a doctor to listen to your concerns and provide you with some information and advice on next steps. They may refer you to a cardiologist for further medical testing.

You can also make an appointment with a cardiologist directly. To contact Zepick Cardiology here in Wichita, call (316) 616-2020. Even without a doctor’s referral, you can make arrangements to visit with a heart specialist on the health concerns you have.

What to Know Before Taking the Treadmill Test 

Coronary artery disease is the number one killer of men and women. It affects more than 16 million Americans. This disease is when there is some blockage of the arteries around your heart that restricts the blood flow in your body. If left untreated, a person can suffer serious problems including a heart attack. Fortunately, there are non-invasive tests that a person can take to help diagnose if they are suffering from coronary artery disease. 

The Stress Test

One of the most common medical tests you can take for determining potential heart issues like coronary artery disease is a stress test. This is the test some people may think of as the Treadmill Test or the Exercise Stress Test. While this is a standard and very safe test, some people have developed concerns and anxiety about the test. 

Here at Zepick Cardiology, we perform this test all the time at our Wichita clinic. This is truly a vital test to help someone receive treatment as early as possible before serious heart issues occur. We want to provide you valuable information to help you better understand this test, help you be prepared for it, and to feel less stress about taking it.

Bottom Line: Don’t stress out about the stress test.

When is a Stress Test Needed?

Most often, if you are undergoing a stress test inside our Wichita clinic, it’s because you were referred to Zepick Cardiology by your primary care doctor. This is a very sensitive test using specific cardiac equipment that tests for blockages in the coronary arteries. 

Why might you need a stress test? You may have been referred to a cardiology clinic for a stress test because you’ve exhibited some of the signs of coronary heart disease. Some symptoms of a potential heart problem include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness, among others. 

Discuss with your doctor any problems or pains you are feeling in your chest area. Undergoing a stress test may be what is needed to catch any developing problems before they become severe.

Preparing for your Heart Stress Test

You will be given instruction in advance to make sure you are prepared for the stress test. The first thing to know is that there is very little preparation you need to worry about. It requires a lot of the same basic steps you would undergo for a variety of different medical tests.

The 4 Prep Steps for a Stress Test

1. DO NOT EAT: For the day of your test, you cannot have anything to eat or drink. However, you can drink water.
2. DO NOT HAVE CAFFEINE: You will have to skip your daily coffee or tea that day and the night before. Do not ingest anything with caffeine for the 24 hours leading up to your stress test appointment.
3. DO NOT TAKE BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS: On the day of your appointment, do not take any medications for blood pressure, like beta blockers, before the stress test. 
4. DO WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES & SHOES: You will be walking or jogging on a treadmill, so be sure you are wearing the necessary clothing to be able to handle that level of activity. Be sure to wear running shoes or another footwear appropriate for a walk or jog.

What Happens During a Stress Test?

When you come to Zepick Cardiology for a cardiac stress test, you will be taken to an exam room and prepped for the test on the treadmill. This preparation includes attaching several small devices called electrodes to your chest. These are sticky patches that adhere to the skin that is connected to an electrocardiogram (EKG). There is nothing painful nor dangerous about electrodes. They simply work to provide our cardiology team images showing how well your heart and arteries are performing. 

Before you even get on the treadmill, we will look at the readings we are getting from the electrodes to see the resting state of your heart and cardiac system. Then you will get on the treadmill and start walking (or jogging) for about 10 to 15 minutes. You will start out slowly and then the treadmill speed will increase gradually.

Throughout the time you are on the treadmill, one of our Zepick Cardiology’s staff will be right in the room with you. The staff will be monitoring the live EKG during the entire time you are walking. 

How fast will you have to go on the treadmill?

For most patients, a brisk walk will be all that’s needed. However, if you are under 25 years old, you can expect to be jogging on the treadmill. 

For the treadmill test to provide necessary results, you are going to be exerting yourself enough to reach your targeted heart rate. Your targeted heart rate is typically 50% – 85% of your safe maximum heart rate. For the stress test, you will need to reach 85%. 

Each person has their own targeted heart rate. It is determined by your age, and there is a simple formula to determine it. 

How to Determine your Target Heart Rate for a Stress Test

1. Subtract your age from 220. 
2. Multiple that number by 0.85

Using this formula, you will see that a person who is 60 years old will need to reach a heart rate of 136 on the treadmill.

Pairing the stress test with advanced diagnostic imaging
To improve the accuracy of information we get from the stress test, we usually pair the resting EKG with heart muscle blood perfusion imaging or ultrasound images. 

The stress test itself is no different than taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood. The only real difference is that here you are walking while surrounded by heart experts inside a cardiology clinic. If your heart is in fact at such a great risk for cardiac problems, there is no better place to uncover it than right inside a cardiology clinic surrounded by our team. Your safety and health are our highest priorities.

What Happens After the Treadmill?

After the walking or jogging  is done and we have gotten all the necessary images of your cardiac system, you will be unhooked. The test is over. Our cardiologists will go over the various images we took during your appointment.

Urgent and extremely abnormal results are available to be interpreted by the doctor immediately following the stress test. But in most cases, the patient will schedule

a routine follow up appointment to go over the results with the doctor and come up with a plan of treatment going forward. It will only take a few days for you to get your results. These appointments are usually scheduled a week or two after the stress test. 

Of course, one reasonable stressor about a stress test is dreading the results. Yes, it’s true that the test may uncover you have serious heart issues. But if left ignored, you could be facing serious illness or death. 

Getting a cardiac stress test and finding out you have an issue like coronary artery disease means you now have hope and a path towards a healthier life. You will be given the medical care and information you need to get healthier and to live a longer life. This knowledge, while scary, may save your life. 

What if I’m Unable to do the Treadmill Test?

Some people are in a condition that will not allow them to walk on the treadmill. Whether they are not able to do this exercise, or it would be unsafe for them to do so, there is an alternative option. We have a medicine for those people to take to provide us with necessary results without use of a treadmill.  

Questions About Your Heart Treatment?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding procedures or preparations for heart stress tests, feel free to call us at Zepick Cardiology at (316) 616-2020.

Protecting Wichita Heart Patients during the Coronavirus Pandemic

May, 2020

Zepick Cardiology is a trusted Wichita medical clinic committed to helping patients live better and longer. With the threat of coronavirus, we want to make sure our patients know that their health and safety remain our number one focus. We remain open and available to treat all current and new patients with enhanced protocols to ensure safety throughout your visit.

During the shutdown in Sedgwick County and across Kansas in early spring, Zepick Cardiology always remained open. As a medical facility, we are an essential business. Simply put, you can trust us to be here when you need us.

Ensuring Safety Inside our Wichita Clinic

The threat of the coronavirus has created sweeping changes for people and companies across the globe. Here in Wichita, our cardiology clinic has also adapted. Keeping the health and safety of our heart patients our highest priority, Zepick Cardiology quickly took necessary steps to ensure our patients and our staff would be protected in every way possible from the COVID-19 virus.

It has already been our routine to implement a variety of hygienic protocols. From protective gear to gloves and masks, our medical staff are always well equipped to maintain safe contact with our patients. But with the additional threat of COVID-19, other non-medical staff at Zepick Cardiology are also now wearing additional protective gear.

Additional Clinic Safety: From Masks to Disinfectant

As we mentioned, some safety procedures were already in place here at Zepick Cardiology. Some procedures have simply been increased. And even some new safety measures have been implemented.

Some steps we are taking to reduce your risk of catching the coronavirus include:

• All Zepick Cardiology staff wear masks
• All patients wear masks
• Rooms are disinfected before each new patient
• Doorknobs are wiped down after each patient

New Telemedicine Appointments for our Heart Patients

Zepick Cardiology now provides a new way for many of our heart patients to receive the care and information they need without leaving their home. Telehealth is a process for getting important care to patients at a distance. At Zepick Cardiology, sometimes a medical visit can be handled via a phone call.

If the appointment does not require a physical examination, patients may be able call in for a one-on-one office consult with one of our trained doctors or medical staff.  Patients will receive the same attention and care in a telemedicine appointment with one of our cardiologists as they would in person.

Call us at (316) 616-2020 to learn more about this telemedicine visit with our clinic.

Heart Patients’ Vulnerability to Coronavirus

Does having a heart condition put you at a greater risk for illness or death if you catch the coronavirus? Unfortunately, yes. According to the Center for Disease Control, people with serious heart conditions may suffer greater if catching the virus.

Some of the heart conditions that increase your risk for serious complications include:

Advice for People with Heart Conditions

The best thing you can do if you have an underlying heart condition is to continue your efforts to be healthy. Continue taking your medications as prescribed. Make sure you do not run out. It is best to keep at least a 2-week supply of any medications you need.

As people with cardiovascular conditions are at a greater risk for COVID-19 complications, you need to be sure that you are taking necessary precautions to avoid contact with others. Realize that many people without symptoms could be carriers of the coronavirus, so minimize how much contact you have with others and maintain a 6-foot distance. It is recommended you wear a mask, and ask that friends and family also wear masks to help protect those like you who are more vulnerable to the virus.

Questions About Your Heart Treatment?

A question some people may be wondering: Is it safe to see my doctor? The short answer is ‘Yes’. We have implemented additional safety measures beyond our already rigid procedures to further minimize contact and risk of catching the coronavirus. You do not need to reschedule your appointment or delay getting the care you need at our cardiology clinic.

Knowing that our patients are in this vulnerable group, Zepick Cardiology is doing everything possible to keep our heart patients safe and free from risk. Contact us online or call us at (316) 616-2020 with your questions or concerns about clinic visits or care.

You can learn more about other factors that put some people at greater risk of suffering from COVID-19 at the CDC’s website.