Consider a cardiology consultation for chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness, palpitations, swelling of the legs, reduced exercise capacity, poorly controlled blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes with cardiac risk, or a family history of heart disease. Sudden severe symptoms need emergency care, not a routine appointment.

Possible cardiac symptoms include chest pressure or tightness, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, unexplained fatigue and ankle swelling. Similar symptoms can also come from non-cardiac causes, which is why clinical evaluation matters.

Many consultations begin with a history, examination and ECG. Echocardiography, blood tests, Holter monitoring, stress testing or further coronary evaluation may be advised only when they are likely to change diagnosis or treatment.

No. Chest pain can arise from the heart, lungs, stomach, muscles, bones or nerves. A cardiologist helps determine whether cardiac tests are needed and whether another specialist should also be involved.

Angiography is a test that images the coronary arteries. Angioplasty is a treatment that may be used to open a significant narrowing identified during angiography. One is diagnostic; the other is interventional. Neither is recommended for every patient.

There is no single schedule for everyone. People with hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, previous heart disease or a strong family history often need more regular review. Your follow-up interval is decided after clinical assessment.