Dedicated expertise from diagnosis to rehabilitation
If you’re experiencing chest pain or other symptoms of heart disease, do not delay care and have our Los Alamitos cardiology specialists have a look at your heart. You deserve a dedicated medical team committed to your individualized care. The Los Alamitos Medical Center offers innovative heart care delivered by experienced heart specialists.
What Are Cardiovascular Diseases?
Cardiovascular diseases are disorders of the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. These diseases affect the blood vessels supplying the heart, brain, arms and legs. They can also be a result of streptococcal bacteria, a birth defect or blood clots in the veins.
The Los Alamitos Medical Center has numerous recognitions for cardiac care:
- The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Gold+ Performance Achievement Awards for Heart Failure and Stroke
- ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) receiving and Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center Accreditation
What Does a Cardiologist Do?
Cardiologists are doctors who diagnose, treat, prevent and manage the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
The cardiologist will request some tests that help with the diagnosis of a heart condition. Common heart conditions that cardiologists deal with include:
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial fibrillation
- Arrhythmia
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Congestive heart disease
- High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
- Hypertension
- Pericarditis
- Ventricular tachycardia
- High blood pressure or hypertension
Cardiologists often treat patients who had a heart attack, heart failure, heart problems and women in a later pregnancy or during menopause who had pre-eclampsia. But you can still consult our Los Alamitos cardiology specialists in even you are not experiencing any symptoms of heart disease if you:
- have a family history of heart disease, hypertension or high cholesterol
- were or are a smoker
- have diabetes
- are starting an exercise plan
When to See Your Cardiologist
When a patient experiences symptoms of heart disease, the physician may recommend the patient to a cardiologist. Symptoms may include:
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- chest pains
- changes in heart rate or rhythm
- high blood pressure
Patients can choose the specialist they’re comfortable with. The American Heart Association advises patients to check if their chosen specialist is board certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). It is necessary for cardiologists to complete 4 years of medical school, 3 years training in internal medicine and at least 3 years specializing in cardiology. If your chosen cardiologist suggests a risky or expensive treatment, patients are advised to get a second opinion.
Los Alamitos Medical Center have experienced cardiologists who will customize a special plan for your heart care. If you’re coming from another institution, our cardiologists are available for giving you a second opinion.
Treatments and Services
Cardiologist doctors at Los Alamitos Medical Center provide resources that can help you navigate your heart journey. We offer the following tests:
- Ambulatory electrocardiogram – records the activities of the heart while the patient exercises
- Cardiac catheterization – collects data and may help remove a blockage using a small tube near or inside the heart
- Computed tomography (CT) scan – combines data from several X-rays to form a detailed image of the heart
- Echocardiogram – measures the cardiac output
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – records the activities of the heart
- Exercise or stress test – shows the changes of heart rhythm at rest and while exercising
- X-ray – creates pictures of the heart using electromagnetic waves
Cardiologist doctors at Los Alamitos Medical Center also performs the following treatment procedures:
- Artificial valve surgery – replaces a diseased heart with a new heart
- Atherectomy – uses a small tube with a rotating shaver at one end to shave plaque off arteries
- Balloon angioplasty – uses a small tube with a deflated balloon. The balloon is inflated to widen blocked arteries
- Bypass surgery – uses arteries and veins from other parts of the body to reroute the blood around the blockage for better blood flow to the heart
- Cardiomyoplasty – uses skeletal muscles from a patient’s back or abdomen and wraps the muscles to the diseased heart
- Catheter ablation – uses energy scarring the heart to prevent abnormal electrical signals to move to the heart
- Minimally invasive heart surgery – uses small incisions to remove blockage on arteries
- Permanent pacemaker implantation – uses a medical device implanted under the skin to manage irregular heartbeats
- Stent placement – uses a small tube to open an artery while performing an angioplasty
We’re Here for You From Diagnosis to Rehabilitation
Los Alamitos Medical Center uses a patient-centered approach to help you get you back to a full and active lifestyle. Cardiac rehabilitation is an ongoing process that requires time, commitment and expert medical supervision. It is composed of three different parts:
- Exercise counseling and training
- Education for heart-healthy living
- Counseling to reduce stress
And aims to:
- Limit the progression of cardiovascular disease
- Reduce risk factors of heart disease
- Improve and maintain physical functioning
