When Should You See a Cardiologist?

The short answer

See a cardiologist if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, unexplained fatigue, or swelling in your legs and ankles. You should also see one for a baseline screening if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, or are over 40.

Symptoms that warrant a visit

Chest discomfort, even mild or intermittent, is the symptom most people associate with heart problems, but it is not the only one. Shortness of breath during everyday activity, a racing or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and swelling in the lower legs can all point to a cardiovascular issue worth investigating.

Risk factors, even without symptoms

Some of the most common heart conditions develop silently for years. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, or a history of smoking, a cardiology visit before symptoms appear can catch problems early, when they are most treatable.

What happens at your first visit

A first cardiology visit typically includes a review of your medical history and family history, a physical exam, and often a baseline test such as an EKG or echocardiogram. Your doctor will use this information to assess your risk and recommend next steps.

Same doctor, every time

At Gilead Heart & Vascular, you see the same doctor at every visit, at a location near you across Arizona, so your care stays consistent and personal from your first appointment onward.