Cardiology is the practice of medicine pertaining to heart health. Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart conditions, including defects, failure, and coronary artery disease. Because the organ is such a complex, critical muscle, there are individual branches of medicine for dealing with specific aspects, one of which is interventional cardiology. Below is a brief guide to the field and why it’s so important.

What Is Interventional Cardiology?

This branch of cardiology represents advanced training in heart disease and structural conditions. Its practitioners perform invasive disease management, usually via a catheter. Angioplasty and stenting are two forms of catheter-based procedures which are used to treat diseases and conditions of the heart. Often, they are necessary after a doctor discovers a blockage through a test like an angiogram.  

How Is It Different From Regular Cardiology?

Interventional doctors must undergo extra training beyond that of regular cardiologists, which typically includes one or two additional years of education in addressing cardiovascular conditions and disease. While an interventional cardiologist can perform the same diagnostics and treatments as a regular cardiologist, a regular cardiologist cannot deliver the advanced level of care, including catheter-based management.

Who Should See an Interventional Cardiologist?

Certain types of conditions warrant invasive treatment to optimize the heart’s functionality and minimize the risk of serious conditions like a heart attack or stroke. Individuals with congenital heart defects, or structural abnormalities present at birth, and valve disease may have to see an interventional cardiologist for invasive disease management. The specialists also treat ischemic heart disease, a condition in which there is reduced blood flow to the heart, typically due to fatty plaque deposits in the artery walls.

If you need such a professional in the Rochelle Park, NJ, area, turn to the experienced team at DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, MD, PA. Dr. Leonard DiVagno is a heart doctor with over 20 years of experience, and he and his team of board-certified cardiovascular physicians have the knowledge and expertise to provide high-quality cardiac care. Learn more about the practice online and their experience with interventional cardiology, or call (201) 845-3535 to schedule an appointment today.