Cardiology

The heart of the matter

Cardiologists treat diseases of the cardiovascular system, which includes the valves and muscles of the heart and also the blood vessels. Because the function of the heart and lungs are interrelated, veterinary cardiologists are also knowledgeable about lung disease as well as diseases of the chest cavity.

BluePearl cardiologists use advanced diagnostic techniques to define the nature and type of heart problem suspected in your pet. These include chest radiographs (X-rays), color-flow echocardiography (ECHO exam), electrocardiography (ECG), Holter and event monitoring, and contrast imaging to study the blood flow through the heart and blood vessels. Test results are then used to create an appropriate treatment plan for your pet.

Conditions we often diagnose and treat

• Degenerative valve disease: age-related changes of one or more of the valves within the heart
• Cardiomyopathy: disorders of the heart muscle, including dilated (DCM), hypertrophic (HCM), restrictive (RCM) and unclassified (UCM) cardiomyopathies
• Congenital and developmental heart defects: different conditions that a pet is born with or that develop at a young age
• Pericardial disorders: diseases involving the protective layer of tissue that surrounds the heart
• Congestive heart failure: a syndrome secondary to another heart disease.  This may involve the inability of the heart to pump blood forward or a back-up of blood with retention of fluid in the lungs, chest cavity or abdomen
• Pulmonary and systemic hypertension: high blood pressure within the blood vessels of the lungs (pulmonary) or the rest of the body (systemic)
• Arrhythmias (slow or fast): abnormalities of the heart rate or rhythm
• Thromboembolism:  abnormal formation of blood clots which can obstruct blood vessels and cause leg paralysis or organ damage
• Syncope (fainting): a loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow to the brain