Consider the following scenario: Jane Smith is a 52-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease. Her father died at age 55 of a heart attack. With her physician's guidance, Jane works hard to manage her high cholesterol, but her numbers still are not ideal. Jane walks to the Metro for her daily commute, but often she experiences shortness of breath. Still Jane was surprised when she was rushed to the emergency room for a mild heart attack, where she met her cardiologist for the first time.

Do you recognize yourself or someone you love in this scenario?

Before you need emergency care, you can be evaluated and treated for early signs of heart disease and even make lifestyle changes to help you avoid the same outcome.

A visit to a cardiologist might be in order if:

• You experience shortness of breath, chest pains or dizzy spells
• You have a heart murmur
• You have a personal history of heart attacks, heart failure or heart rhythm disturbances
• You have a family history of heart disease
• You have multiple heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity

You may need to see a cardiologist just once to have an evaluation or diagnostic tests, or you may require ongoing care if your heart problem is serious.

Which Cardiologist Is Right for You?
All cardiologists diagnose and treat heart disease, but some subspecialize in particular aspects of cardiology.

• Preventive cardiologists evaluate the risk of heart disease and help monitor high-risk patients.
• Interventional cardiologists are experts in widening clogged arteries using techniques such as angioplasty and placement of stents.
• Cardiovascular surgeons perform operations such as coronary artery bypasses, valve replacements or repairs and surgery to improve heart function.
• Electrophysiologists treat heart rhythm disturbances, or arrhythmias, which cause the heart to beat too quickly or too slowly. They implant pacemakers and other heart devices, some of which help improve heart function. They perform ablation procedures to treat rapid heart rhythms.

Choosing a Cardiologist or Cardiovascular Surgeon
Be sure that your cardiologist is board certified, which means that the physician has satisfied all the training requirements of the American Board of Medical Specialties for his or her subspecialty (such as cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology or cardiothoracic surgery). Make sure you feel comfortable discussing your care and asking questions.

GW Cardiovascular Center Stands Out
At The George Washington University Hospital Cardiovascular Center, we specialize in every aspect of cardiovascular care. Whether you come to GW Hospital through the emergency department or for a scheduled evaluation or procedure, the cardiovascular team stands ready to provide you with excellent, comprehensive care.

Do you have a family history or multiple risk factors for heart disease? It may be time to consider getting to know a cardiologist. For a referral to a GW Hospital cardiologist, call 1-888-4GW-DOCS.

900 23rd St., NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202) 715-4000