Cardiology
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the Western world. Regardless of your age or lifestyle, this remains a highly relevant area of research. Thanks to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many problems can be addressed early or even prevented.
Quick help for urgent complaints
Do you need urgent medical assistance? Don't worry, we will do all we can to help you as soon as possible. Call our secretariat at +32 35 35 20 40. Even if our diary is well-filled, we always make room for urgent situations. Your health comes first with us.
Experienced specialists
Our team of doctors are all well-trained and have years of practical experience. With us, you are in trusted hands.
What is covered by cardiology examinations?
At Doktershuis Antverpia, we focus on both preventive cardiological screening and follow-up of existing cardiovascular conditions. These include complaints such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pressure or reduced exercise tolerance. Our investigations include a cardiology consultation, resting ECG, exercise test, echocardiography and, if necessary, additional imaging or referral. Each course is tailored to your risk profile and medical history. Understanding your heart health early is an investment in your future - and our team is ready to give you expert guidance in doing so.
Anamnesis
During the medical history, the doctor asks specific questions about your symptoms, medical history, medication and any conditions in your family. This gives us a complete picture of your health situation and allows us to examine and treat you in a more targeted way.
Clinical research
The clinical examination is a physical examination in which the doctor examines you using standard medical techniques such as inspection, auscultation (listening), palpation (feeling) and percussion (tapping). This helps recognise abnormalities and assess your general health.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart. It is a simple and painless test that allows detection of cardiac arrhythmias or abnormalities in cardiac conduction. The ECG also helps detect other heart problems such as oxygen deprivation or scarring after a heart attack.
Holter monitoring
In Holter studies, you wear a small device that continuously records your heart rhythm for 24 to 48 hours. This allows us to detect cardiac arrhythmias that may not be visible on a standard ECG. This method provides a realistic picture of your heart activity during your daily activities.
Cycling test
The cycling test, also called exercise test, examines how your heart responds during gradual physical strain. Among other things, we measure heart rhythm, blood pressure and any symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. For example, we can detect oxygen deficiency or arrhythmias under exertion.
Echocardiography
With echocardiography, we make an image of the heart via sound waves. This is how we map the heart muscle, valves and pumping function. This technique is essential for detecting structural heart problems and monitoring the effect of treatment.
Blood pressure monitoring
In 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, we wear a portable meter that automatically records your blood pressure throughout an entire day and night. This gives us an accurate picture of your blood pressure in your daily life and allows us to better assess whether and what treatment is needed.
Lab tests
Blood and urine samples provide valuable information about your general health. Among other things, we examine kidney function, cholesterol, sugar levels, thyroid function, inflammation levels and hormones. These data help us detect abnormalities in time and initiate appropriate treatment.
When is a cardiac examination appropriate?
Are you experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, palpitations or shortness of breath? These could be signs of cardiac arrhythmias or other underlying heart disease. Timely cardiological examinations help detect problems early and prevent serious complications. Regular evaluations are certainly indicated in high-risk patients or with existing symptoms, as they allow for timely detection of subsequent conditions, among others:
Cardiac arrhythmias - An irregular heart rhythm can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or even an increased risk of stroke. Heart failure - When the heart's pumping function decreases, symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and fluid accumulation may occur. Aneurysm & aortic aneurysm - Dilatations of blood vessels, especially of the large body artery, can have serious consequences if they rupture. Heart attack & heart attack - A coronary artery occlusion leads to oxygen deprivation in the heart muscle tissue. Rapid medical intervention is vital here. Cardiac arrest - In case of sudden cardiac function failure, often due to an undetected cardiac arrhythmia, immediate intervention is crucial. Brain haemorrhage & stroke - Certain heart conditions increase the risk of blood clots migrating to the brain, potentially causing permanent damage.
Timely intervention prevents problems
Many heart diseases can be prevented or treated early with proper medical follow-up and lifestyle changes. Therefore, it is important not to postpone cardiological examination - especially in cases of increased risk due to factors such as heredity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or an unhealthy lifestyle. Unsure whether a cardiac check-up is necessary? Feel free to contact us for professional advice.
How does a cardiology consultation take place?
1. Intake & Anamnesis
The consultation starts with an interview in which the doctor or nurse asks questions about your symptoms, medical history, medication use, lifestyle and any family risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease. This way, a complete picture of your heart health and personal risk profile is created.
2. Investigate
Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, we perform targeted tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood sampling, blood pressure measurement, exercise test or echocardiography. These tests help assess the function of the heart and blood vessels and detect any abnormalities early.
3. Discussion
After the tests, the doctor discusses the results and explains what they mean for you. If necessary, a personal risk profile is drawn up and a treatment plan suggested. You receive tailor-made lifestyle advice, and if necessary, follow-up examinations or a referral are planned. The full medical report is also available digitally via your eHealth or CoZo file.
Signals from your body deserve attention
Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness or fainting spells - these are all symptoms that can indicate underlying heart problems. At Doctor's House Antverpia, we take these signs seriously. We examine the cause carefully and with the necessary expertise, with the aim of detecting or ruling out possible cardiovascular diseases in time.
With us you can.Make your appointment now.