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Many people are concerned about their heart health as cardiovascular diseases can have serious impacts, or even kill you in a short period. Learn more about when should you see a cardiologist, the costs and where to find them.
A cardiologist is a doctor with special training in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases & conditions in the cardiovascular system, which consists of the heart and blood vessels. Common cardiovascular diseases include heart attacks, coronary heart disease, heart failure and arrhythmia.
Cardiologists can be further divided into many categories according to the field of specialization. Here we cover some of the more common categories.
Pediatric cardiologists treat mostly children. Their practice is different from general cardiologists (who mainly treat adults). Pediatric cardiologists primarily deal with cardiac conditions related to the structure or rhythm of a child's heart, both congenital (found at birth) and acquired. They typically treat children up to the age of 18, or occasionally 21 like other pediatricians.
Interventional cardiologists specialize in invasive but nonsurgical procedures for treating coronary artery disease, valve disease, peripheral artery disease and carotid artery disease in the large vessels leading to the brain. Examples of procedures are angioplasty and stent placement.
An electrophysiologist (EP) focuses on the electrical issues of your heart, e.g. if you develop a very fast, very slow or irregular heart rhythm. EPs perform catheter ablations and implant electrical devices such as pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators.
A cardiac surgeon can perform coronary artery bypass grafting, aorta surgery and valve replacement or repair that cannot be done through a catheter. Cardiac surgeons also repair deformities in the heart and perform heart transplants.
You need to see a cardiologist when your primary care physician recommends. Common signs and conditions that prompt the need to see a cardiologist are:
Specialist outpatient clinics for cardiothoracic surgery are available in 4 public hospitals in Hong Kong.
Clinics
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Details
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Au Yeong Chi Keung, Tony Clinic
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Address: Room 607, Hang Seng Tsim Sha Tsui Building,
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Address: Room 1201, Hang Shing Building,
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Address: Room 612, Hang Shing Building,
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Address: Unit 806 Pacific Centre,
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Address: Room 502, 5/F, Hang Seng Tsim Sha Tsui Building,
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Address: Room 1005, Hang Shing Building,
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Address: Suite 306, New World Tower 1,
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Address: Suite 1312, Central Building, 1 Pedder Street, Central
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You can search for cardiologists according to their locations here.
Public sector fees: For eligible HKID-holders, the price of visiting specialist outpatient clinics is HK$135 for the first attendance, $80 per subsequent attendance and $15 per drug item.
Private sector fees: The initial consultation fees in the private sector range from HK$600 to over $2,000, excluding costs of drugs, medical supplies, lab or other special treatments.
According to Alea, cardiologist consultations and procedures are reimbursed under doctor specialist fees. Generally, high-end medical plans reimburse cardiologist treatment in full without any sub-limit whereas local plans have doctor specialist sub-limits for consultations, procedures and surgeries. If you have any health insurance questions or looking to maximize your coverage, contact an expert at Alea at [email protected].
A cardiologist is a doctor with special training in diagnosing, treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases and conditions.
Cardiologists can be further divided into pediatric cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiac surgeons/ cardiothoracic surgeons, etc.
You can consult a primary care physician to see if you need to see a cardiologist. Chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath and dizziness are warning signals that may point to a potential heart condition!
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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