A cardiologist examines the heart and blood vessels to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases. Non-surgical cardiologists focus on medical treatment, while cardiothoracic surgeons perform heart surgeries.

Visit a cardiologist if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting spells.

The cardiologist will review your medical history, check blood pressure and heart rate, and may perform tests like an ECG (electrocardiogram) to evaluate heart health.

Tests may include stress ECG, 2D echo, CT scan, cardiac CT angiography, ultrasound (Doppler), lipid profile, chest X-ray, and coronary angiogram.

Yes, in most cases you can. But in some countries and under certain insurance plans, a referral from a primary care physician may be required.