Cardiology

Trust the expert cardiologists at Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute for comprehensive heart care. You’ll benefit from one-on-one care that addresses your symptoms so you can live a full, active life.

If you or a loved one has signs or symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 right away.

What Does a Cardiologist Do?

Cardiologists care for your heart and blood vessels. They’re skilled at diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions without surgery. Your cardiologist also can help you learn about your risk of heart disease and create a preventive care plan.

Find a Cardiologist

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Depend on your heart care team for an accurate diagnosis—so you can get the most effective treatment for your condition. Learn about cardiovascular diagnostic tests at the Heart & Vascular Institute.

Heart Conditions We Treat

Rely on skilled Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologists to help you manage:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorders)
• Athlete’s heart syndrome
• Broken heart syndrome
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Heart failure
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Infection and inflammation, including endocarditis, myocarditis and pericarditis
• Structural and valvular heart disease

Your Cardiac Care Plan

Partner with your cardiologist to create an individualized care plan to manage symptoms, prevent future problems, and live well. Depending on your condition, needs, and preferences, your care plan may include:

• Behavior modifications: Improve your health by quitting smoking, exercising more often, following a heart-healthy diet, or making other changes
• Cardiac rehabilitation: Helps you improve your heart health through exercise, nutrition, stress management, and more
• Cholesterol management program: Offers specialty care for cholesterol disorders
• LDL aphersis: Removes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from your blood to help lower your LDL cholesterol
• Medications: Prevent or control symptoms

Medications for Heart Disease

If your cardiologist prescribes medicine for your heart condition, count on us to help you understand potential side effects, as well as how to take your medicine safely and effectively.

Common types of medications for heart disease include:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: Widen arteries to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Prevent blood clots
• Aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs: Prevent blood clots
• Beta blockers: Make your heart beat slower and with less force to lower blood pressure
• Calcium channel blockers: Relax your blood vessels and improve blood flow
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins): Help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol
• Digitalis: Strengthens your heartbeat
• Diuretics: Prevent salt and water retention
• Nitrates: Relax blood vessels to improve blood flow
• Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors: Help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol

Interventional & Surgical Heart Care

Your cardiologist may recommend a procedure to help diagnose or treat your heart condition. Rely on the Heart & Vascular Institute for coordinated care when your cardiologist works closely with other specialists, such as:

• Cardiac surgeons
• Electrophysiologists
• Interventional cardiologists

Heart Care for Athletes

If you’re an athlete with a heart condition, look to Hartford HealthCare for cardiovascular care that helps you train and play safely. Our team includes cardiologists with special interest in sports cardiology—so you can feel confident we understand the demands of your sport, and are dedicated to helping you stay active.

Request an Appointment

Call 833.444.0014 to request an appointment with a cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Institute. Ask your doctor for a referral before you call.