Cardiology Care at Liv Hospital: Comprehensive Heart Services for Local and International Patients

When Mehmet arrived at the emergency department with crushing chest pain, his wife feared the worst. Within minutes, our team had completed an ECG and confirmed he was having a heart attack. Two hours later, following emergency cardiology intervention, blood flow was restored to his blocked coronary artery. Today, Mehmet is back at work, managing his heart health with regular follow-up and cardiac rehabilitation. His story reflects what modern cardiac care should deliver: rapid diagnosis, expert intervention, and ongoing support to rebuild quality of life.

The Liv Hospital cardiology department treats arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, and heart failure with a patient-centered approach. Our specialists combine advanced diagnostics with evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each individual’s risk profile and goals. Whether you need preventive screening, diagnostic testing, or complex interventional procedures, our multidisciplinary team coordinates every step of your care journey. We support both local and international patients with streamlined appointment scheduling, language services, and comprehensive care navigation.

Conditions We Treat and When to Seek Care

Our cardiology department manages a full spectrum of cardiovascular conditions. We provide evaluation and ongoing care for coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, high cholesterol, valve disease, and cardiomyopathy. Each condition requires a unique diagnostic and treatment approach, but all benefit from early detection and proactive management. 

Recognizing when to see a cardiologist can save lives. Schedule an appointment if you experience chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath during normal activities, heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat, unexplained dizziness or fainting, persistent leg swelling, or declining exercise tolerance. These symptoms may signal underlying heart disease that requires evaluation.

Some symptoms demand urgent attention. Seek emergency care immediately for persistent chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, sudden severe shortness of breath, fainting without warning, or chest discomfort accompanied by sweating, nausea, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw. Minutes matter in cardiac emergencies.

Diagnostic Testing and Evaluation

Accurate diagnosis begins with comprehensive testing. Every patient receives a baseline ECG/EKG to assess heart rhythm and detect signs of ischemia or prior damage. This simple, non-invasive test provides critical information about electrical conduction and can identify arrhythmias, heart attacks, and structural abnormalities. Bloodwork complements the ECG, measuring lipid profiles, cardiac biomarkers, and metabolic factors that influence cardiovascular risk.

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to visualize your heart’s structure and function in real time. This imaging study evaluates valve performance, chamber size, wall motion, and ejection fraction. The test is painless and requires no special preparation. We order echocardiograms to investigate heart failure symptoms, assess murmurs, diagnose cardiomyopathy, and monitor recovery after interventions. Results guide medication adjustments and help predict outcomes.

Stress testing reveals how your heart performs under physical demand. During an exercise treadmill test, you walk on a treadmill while we monitor your ECG, blood pressure, and symptoms. If you cannot exercise, we use pharmacologic agents to simulate stress. Stress tests help diagnose coronary artery disease, determine safe exercise limits, and evaluate treatment effectiveness. Wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. Your doctor will provide guidance on which medications to take or hold before the test.

When non-invasive tests suggest significant blockages, coronary angiography via cardiac catheterization provides definitive visualization. A thin catheter is threaded through an artery in your wrist or groin to your coronary arteries, and contrast dye is injected while X-ray images are recorded. Cardiac catheterization shows the exact location and severity of blockages, informing decisions about angioplasty, stent placement, or surgical bypass. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation, and most patients go home the same day or after overnight observation.

We offer comprehensive cardiology diagnostics, including echocardiograms and stress tests, with results discussed promptly by your care team. Bring previous test results and imaging to your first visit so we can build a complete picture of your cardiac health without unnecessary duplication.

Interventional Cardiology and Procedures

Advanced interventional cardiology procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting, are available for patients with significant coronary artery disease. Percutaneous coronary intervention restores blood flow by inflating a small balloon inside the blocked artery, then placing a stent to keep the vessel open. This minimally invasive approach avoids the need for open-heart surgery in many cases.

Angioplasty and stent placement are recommended when coronary blockages cause symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, or when stress tests and angiography reveal high-risk lesions. The procedure is performed in a catheterization lab under local anesthesia. Most patients are awake and comfortable throughout. Immediate monitoring ensures stable heart rhythm and blood pressure. Recovery involves a few hours of bed rest to allow the access site to heal, followed by gradual return to activity over several days.

Interventional cardiology options are tailored to your anatomy, the complexity of your disease, and your overall health. Pre-procedure preparation includes optimizing medications, especially antiplatelets and anticoagulants, and discussing your goals with the heart team. Our specialists collaborate with cardiac surgeons, imaging experts, and rehabilitation staff to deliver comprehensive care.

Safety and recovery are priorities. We monitor for bleeding at the catheter insertion site, arrhythmias, and allergic reactions to contrast dye. Discharge planning includes clear instructions on wound care, medication adherence, activity restrictions, and warning signs to watch for. Follow-up visits typically occur within one to two weeks to assess healing, review medications, and discuss cardiac rehabilitation enrollment. Long-term success depends on lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and partnership between you and your care team.

Ongoing Management and Rehabilitation

Heart failure management requires a coordinated approach combining guideline-directed medical therapy, fluid and sodium restriction, and regular monitoring. Our team adjusts medications based on symptoms, kidney function, and echocardiogram findings. Remote monitoring tools allow us to track weight, blood pressure, and symptoms between visits, catching early signs of decompensation before hospitalization becomes necessary. Regular follow-up echocardiograms assess ejection fraction and guide therapy optimization.

Arrhythmia treatment depends on the type and severity of your irregular heartbeat. Medical therapy controls heart rate or rhythm, and anticoagulation reduces stroke risk when indicated.

For patients with recurrent or symptomatic arrhythmias, we evaluate candidacy for device therapy such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Complex cases may be referred to advanced electrophysiology colleagues for catheter ablation procedures.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a cornerstone of recovery and long-term health. Supervised exercise sessions rebuild cardiovascular fitness safely under professional guidance. Risk factor modification addresses smoking cessation, weight management, diabetes control, and cholesterol targets. Nutrition counseling and medication education empower you to take charge of your health. Evidence shows cardiac rehabilitation reduces hospital readmissions, improves quality of life, and extends survival. Most patients attend two or three sessions per week for twelve weeks, graduating with personalized home exercise plans.

Prevention and Risk Assessment Programs

Preventive cardiology focuses on identifying and managing risk before disease develops. Learn more about our cardiology services for heart disease prevention and treatment through comprehensive risk profiling. We assess family history, blood pressure, lipid levels, glucose, body mass index, physical activity, diet, and smoking status. Risk stratification tools calculate your ten-year probability of heart attack or stroke, guiding decisions about statin therapy, blood pressure targets, and lifestyle interventions.

Early screening is especially important if you have a family history of premature heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or multiple risk factors. Even young adults benefit from baseline assessments to establish healthy habits and catch emerging problems early. Tailored prevention plans balance medication, lifestyle changes, and monitoring intensity to fit your individual risk and preferences.

Self-monitoring extends prevention beyond clinic visits. Home blood pressure monitoring provides more accurate readings than occasional office checks and helps detect white-coat hypertension or masked hypertension. Activity goals keep you accountable and motivated. Medication adherence is critical, so we work with you to simplify regimens and address side effects. Recognizing symptom changes—new chest discomfort, worsening shortness of breath, sudden weight gain—allows early contact with the care team before emergencies develop.

Patient Journey, Appointments, and International Support

Scheduling your first appointment is straightforward. You may contact us directly or have your primary care physician send a referral. Share previous records, including imaging, ECG/EKG results, and lab work, to streamline your evaluation. Bring a complete medication list with dosages, known allergies, insurance details, and government-issued identification. International patients should also bring passport copies and any relevant travel health documentation.

On the day of testing or a procedure, arrive at the scheduled time for registration and consent.

Fasting or medication instructions will be provided in advance for stress tests, echocardiograms, or cardiac catheterization. Plan to spend several hours in the facility for interventional procedures, including recovery and observation. Results are typically discussed the same day or at a scheduled follow-up. Digital access to reports is available when possible, making it easy to share information with other providers.

Appointment and consultation support for local and international patients includes language services, travel timing coordination, and care navigation. Our international patient coordinators assist with appointment scheduling, cost estimates, payment arrangements, and logistical planning. Whether you are traveling from across the country or around the globe, we work to make your experience seamless and stress-free. Scheduling flexibility accommodates urgent needs and complex itineraries.

FAQs: Quick Answers

Do I need a referral and how quickly can I be seen? Referrals are optional for many cardiology services, though some insurance plans require them. Urgent symptoms are prioritized, with expedited appointment slots available for acute concerns. Routine consultations are typically scheduled within one to two weeks.

Is cardiac catheterization the same as coronary angiography? Coronary angiography is performed during cardiac catheterization to visualize your coronary arteries and assess blockages. The terms are often used interchangeably, but catheterization is the procedure, and angiography is the imaging technique used during it.

How do I prepare for a stress test or echocardiogram? For a stress test, wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. Your doctor will advise which medications to take or hold. Echocardiograms usually require no special preparation. You can eat, drink, and take medications as normal unless instructed otherwise.

Will my insurance be accepted and are virtual consults available? Insurance verification support is provided to confirm coverage and benefits. Virtual consultations are offered where appropriate for follow-up visits, medication reviews, and second opinions. Confirm availability and suitability when scheduling your appointment.