When it comes to heart care, two types of doctors often come up in mind, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Though both deal with heart problems, their roles are quite different. Understanding how they work can help patients know who to see and what to expect when facing a heart-related issue.
The Role of a Cardiologist
A cardiologist Dubai is a doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel problems without surgery. They use tools like EKGs, stress tests, and heart imaging to find out what’s going on inside the heart. If you have high blood pressure, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat, a cardiologist is usually the first person you would visit.
Cardiologists also help people with long-term heart conditions like heart failure or high cholesterol. They often give advice on lifestyle changes and prescribe medicine to help the heart work better. Some cardiologists also perform procedures like placing stents to open blocked arteries, but these are done through small tubes and do not involve cutting the chest.
The Duties of a Cardiac Surgeon
A cardiac surgeon, on the other hand, performs operations on the heart and chest. Their job starts when a heart problem is too serious to be treated with medicine or non-surgical methods. They fix things like blocked arteries, faulty heart valves, and holes in the heart. Sometimes, they replace parts of the heart or even do heart transplants.
Surgery can involve opening the chest and working directly on the heart. This requires careful planning and often involves a team of doctors and nurses. After the operation, the cardiac surgeon keeps track of the patient’s recovery and works closely with other heart specialists.
When Do They Work Together?
Often, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons team up. A cardiologist might discover a problem and refer the patient to a cardiac surgeon if an operation is needed. After the surgery, the patient may return to the cardiologist for regular care and follow-up.
Both roles are important in keeping the heart healthy. While one focuses on treating with medicine and non-surgical procedures, the other takes over when surgery is the best option. Working together, they give patients a wide range of care based on what the heart needs.