Internal medicine
Cardiology
Cardiology is the branch of internal medicine concerned with diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
At a glance
Clinical examination
Examination by a cardiologist and the detection and control of risk factors for diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Heart tests
ECG, ambulatory (Holter) electrocardiography, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, exercise ECG and heart ultrasound.
Individual plan
A plan for treatment, heart health monitoring and counselling for each patient.
No referral needed
The polyclinic is private, so no referral is needed.
When should you see a cardiologist?
Croatia is one of the countries with high cardiovascular risk, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels are the leading cause of death and are often under-recognised and inadequately treated, partly because many patients do not notice any symptoms. It is therefore our professional and socially responsible task to encourage healthy habits and lifestyles, to carry out preventive check-ups aimed at the early detection of disease, and to detect heart disease in good time and treat it appropriately in order to reduce adverse outcomes. It is never too early to get to know your heart better and start looking after it.
Here are a few good reasons:
- If you feel discomfort or pain in your chest
- If you find it harder to breathe or tire more quickly on exertion
- If you notice swelling of your lower legs
- If you notice a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
- If you have high blood pressure
- If you have high cholesterol
- If you have diabetes
- If you have chronic kidney disease
- If you smoke or used to smoke
- If members of your family have heart disease
- If your family doctor has advised you to see a cardiologist
What are the most common heart diseases?
Arterial hypertension
It is one of the most common diseases today and an important risk factor for diseases of the heart, kidneys and cerebral circulation. It often goes unrecognised because many people who have it have no symptoms for a long time, or do not notice them. It is easy to detect and can be treated successfully.
Angina pectoris
It is most often caused by deposits in the walls of the blood vessels, which narrow the vessels and so reduce the oxygen supply to the heart. It is characterised by discomfort and pressure in the chest that occur during physical exertion, on exposure to cold or during emotional stress.
Heart rhythm disorders
They arise when electrical impulses in the heart are generated abnormally or spread through the heart abnormally, which can cause a sensation of a slow, fast or irregular heartbeat. Although some arrhythmias are harmless, many can be serious or even life-threatening, and over time they can worsen other heart conditions or weaken the heart.
Valve disease
Heart valves are delicate structures that regulate the flow of blood through the heart; when they do not open properly or they leak, normal blood flow is disrupted, which can cause various symptoms. We can suspect valve disease by listening for heart murmurs and from other signs noticed during the clinical examination, while the final diagnosis is made by heart ultrasound.
Heart failure
It is characterised by a weakening of the heart, which as a result can no longer meet the oxygen demands of other parts of the body – in other words, it cannot pump enough blood. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, increased tiredness, exercise intolerance, swelling of the lower legs, frequent urination at night and a dry cough. It is more common in older people, but young people can also be affected. Treating arterial hypertension, diabetes and other diseases can prevent heart failure from developing. Timely recognition and treatment mean that heart failure can be managed successfully; otherwise, it has a very poor prognosis.
Raised blood lipids
Raised blood lipids, most often raised cholesterol and triglycerides, are one of the key risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. It is a condition that usually causes no symptoms, so it is only detected by a routine blood test.
What can we do for you?
Detection and control of risk factors for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Clinical examination.
Examination and laboratory tests
Cardiology examination
A cardiology examination is a fundamental part of assessing the health of the heart and blood vessels. It is carried out in patients who have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, a fast or irregular pulse, dizziness or fainting, and also in those with high blood pressure, diabetes or other risk factors for heart disease.
Laboratory tests in cardiology
Blood tests are an important part of a cardiac assessment because they help to detect acute and chronic heart disease and play an important role in cardiovascular risk stratification. Although they are not sufficient on their own to make a diagnosis, their results allow the doctor to make decisions about further investigations and treatment.
Non-invasive diagnostics
Blood pressure measurement
Measuring blood pressure gives two values: systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
A method that records how blood pressure and heart rate change over 24 hours, and also provides information on risk factors such as nocturnal hypertension or a morning surge in blood pressure.
Why is ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) important?
Electrocardiography (ECG)
A simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart and provides a wealth of important information about the heart's activity and function. It is performed by placing a total of ten electrodes on the arms, legs and chest.
Ambulatory (Holter) electrocardiography
A method that records the electrical activity of the heart over 24, 48, 72 or more hours, increasing the likelihood of documenting heart rhythm disorders.
Exercise ECG (ergometry)
A test performed on a treadmill or cycle ergometer while an electrocardiogram is recorded, to detect problems with how the heart works during physical exertion.
Echocardiography (heart ultrasound)
An imaging test that provides information about the appearance and function of many structures of the heart, including the atria, ventricles, valves, pericardium and aorta. It is performed by placing an ultrasound probe on the chest of the patient, who lies on their left side.
Treatment, monitoring, education and counselling
An individual plan is created for each patient, covering treatment, heart health monitoring, counselling and participation in education programmes.
Prevention and rehabilitation
Preventive cardiology
Preventive cardiology comprises measures that reduce the risk of developing heart disease or prevent existing conditions from getting worse. Because cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death, recognising risk factors in good time and controlling them is crucial to keeping the heart healthy.
Cardiovascular risk
Cardiovascular risk is the probability that, within a certain period – most often the next 10 years – a person will have a heart attack or stroke, angina pectoris or another disease of the blood vessels. It is the combined effect of various factors, many of which can be recognised in good time and successfully controlled.
Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is an organised recovery programme for patients who have had an acute cardiac event or procedure, such as a heart attack, heart surgery, stent placement, coronary artery catheterisation or implantation of a cardiac pacing device, for example an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Cardiologist at the polyclinic
Dr Vedran Pašara
specialist in internal medicine, cardiologist
UZ Brussel · member of the ESC and EHRA
Appointments and contact
Book an appointment
01 3737 333Mobile: 099 3737 333
Email: info@faktorzdravlje.com
Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
