You do not need to wait for a crisis to see a cardiologist. Many visits are for symptoms that have been present for weeks, for abnormal reports, or for prevention when risk factors are already known.
Symptoms that commonly prompt review include chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, reduced exercise tolerance and swelling of the legs. Risk-based visits are equally important: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking history and family history of early heart disease.
After a hospital admission for a heart-related problem, follow-up with a cardiologist helps review medicines, recovery and next steps. The same applies after angiography or angioplasty.
Emergency symptoms — sudden severe chest pain, collapse, or severe breathlessness — belong in an emergency department. A clinic appointment is for assessment, diagnosis and planned care, not for life-threatening events.
Sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or symptoms of a possible heart attack require immediate emergency medical attention. Please call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. This website does not provide emergency care.