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Cardiology at FirstMed
Cardiologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat medical issues having to do with the heart, blood vessels and circulatory system in general. The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. In addition to treatment, your doctor is interested in improving your condition and giving you recommendations for preventive care.
Cardiological conditions
Your primary care physician may recommend a cardiologist consultation to evaluate your risk for serious heart or vascular disease including:
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Angina: Chest pain and/or claudication, from narrowed arteries providing blood to the heart. Angina usually causes uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest. You may also feel the discomfort in your neck, jaw, shoulder, back or arm.
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Cardiomyopathy: Disease which stretches, stiffens, or thickens the cardiac muscles.
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Arrhythmia: Rhythmic disturbances of the heart are called arrhythmias; may include palpitations or missed heartbeats.
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Shortness of breath: Which can indicate congestive heart failure or valvular problems
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Cardiac events: such as a heart attack, which requires ongoing cardiological monitoring and controls following the emergency care.
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Cardiac oedema: Excess of fluid and swelling in the heart.
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Congenital heart defects: Diseases or conditions that affect the heart from birth. These could be septal defects, coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary valve stenosis, or other defects.
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Heart murmurs: The sound of abnormal blood flow across the heart's chambers.
Cardiological Services at FirstMed
At FirstMed, we perform cardiological visits, standard EKGs, chest films, Holter exams, echocardiograms, ultrasound examinations of epiaortic vessels and abdominal aorta, and more.
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Annual check-up/physical
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EKG/ECG
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Holter monitor
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Carotid doppler
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Prescription refill
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Echocardiogram
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Cardiology follow-up
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Lab tests
What to expect at your cardiological visit:
During the visit, your doctor will ask you for your and your family’s medical history, the reason for the visit, and any medications you may be taking or significant factors relevant to the visit. At this time, she will also evaluate your current health and any risk factors you may have. The key information to have on hand for your appointment includes:
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A list of your medications. It is important to include a list any prescriptions, vitamins and/or supplements you may be taking. Make sure to include any medications that you took within the past year, even if you no longer take them.
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Family medical history. Your family history is filled with important clues, especially information about instances of high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure even among your close relatives.
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Your own medical history. List your any major illnesses or medical events in your life, including surgeries and medical procedures or diagnostic work-ups such as MRIs and lab reports.
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A list of all your health care providers. This should include any doctor that you are currently seeing or have visited in the last two years. Dentists, chiropractors, and natural-healing practitioners are all worth mentioning, among others.
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Your own questions. If you have some idea why you’re seeing a cardiologist, do some research to learn about it and write down questions about anything that is unclear to you.
If the doctor deems it necessary, she will perform procedures such as an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram to gain a better understanding of your condition and aid in diagnosis and treatment. Once she has completed the visit, she may prescribe you some medication or activities and then ask for a follow-up visit to track your progress.
In addition to the evaluation and, if necessary, the prescription, the cardiologist will also give you advice for preventive care. She may indicate adding or cutting certain habits or behaviors from your routine. The doctor may also refer you to a more specialized cardiologist or another specialist, depending on the diagnosis.
Your cardiologist is one of the most important members of your care team. Take full advantage of your visit, develop a personal connection, and remember that no matter how small the detail, there’s nothing too minor to bring up at your appointment. You never know what information could lead to the right diagnosis and treatment.
What should I do if...?
FirstMed's cardiological services are quite comprehensive, but we understand that you may have some questions regarding how to get a cardiology visit in Rome. Here are a few points you may be wondering about for cardiological care in Italy.
Q: Can I schedule a cardiology visit for chest pain or breathing difficulty?
A: Call 118! Some situations may be managed by medication or lifestyle changes, but medical emergencies are best handled by emergency first responders. If you are in a life-threatening emergency, contact Italy's medical emergency line at 118.
Q: Can the cardiologist perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) or heart ultrasound (echocardiogram)?
A: Yes, the cardiologist provides EKGs and echocardiograms where deemed medically necessary, but cannot perform these precedures without a complete visit. If you need other types of cardiological medical procedures, such as a Holter exam, be sure to mention this at the time of your booking to guarantee availability.
Q: Can all cardiologists perform the echocardiogram and carotid sonography?
A: Many (but not all!) cardiologists are able to perform these cardiological ultrasounds, so be specific in your request to ensure that you can get the care you need.
Q: Will the heart doctor prescribe me medication?
A: If you are already taking heart medication or have just recovered from a cardiac event, you and the doctor can evaluate the options for a renewed or new prescription. Talk with the cardiologist about your concerns and, if you're interested, ask if there are any alternatives to get the best array of your choices.
Q: How much does the visit cost?
A: A typical cardiological visit can range from €150.00 - €200.00, depending on the procedures performed during the visit.