Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is home to 493 practicing cardiologists who have offices in 2 counties and 43 zip codes, including zip codes 19107, 19104, 19148, 19141, 19140, 19114, 19102, 19103, 19106, 19146, 19149, 19152, 19115, 19111, 19128, 19124, 19129, 19127, 19125, 19134, 19144, 19116, 19143, 19145, 19131, 19109, 19118, 19182, 19120, and 19138.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Philadelphia has a population of 1,463,281, which gives it a specialist to resident ratio of 1 cardiologist for every 2,968 residents.

Pennsylvania was the second state admitted to the union in 1787, and has a rich historical background. The population of Pennsylvania is 12,429,616, and its capital is Harrisburg. Historical sites include Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House. Visit the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, the American Civil War Museum in Gettysburg, or tour the Indian Caverns in Spruce Creek.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Pennsylvania has a population of 12,429,616. Of this population, 2,754,906 are under the age of 18 and 1,887,277 are at or above the age of 65.

Description

Cardiology is the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. A cardiologist is a physician who specializes in treating heart conditions such as abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, and disease of the heart valves. A cardiologist can inform your doctor about new drugs or tests that may be beneficial to you.

Some heart conditions can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, and can be fatal. Methods that cardiologists use to study heart conditions include stress tests, a monitor to record your heart rate and rhythm, a biopsy, which studies a tiny piece of heart tissue, and an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to show a picture of how your heart works.

Diseases / Illnesses Treated

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are blood clot, peripheral vascular disease, angioplasty, hypertension, heart attack, congestive heart failure, angina, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease, pericarditis, ventricular tachycardia, acute coronary syndrome, cardiac arrest, bigeminy, heart block, myxoma, cardiac arrhythmias, tricuspid valve disorders, and aortic valve disorders.

Procedures Performed

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including gastric bypass surgery, open heart surgery, valve replacement, valve repair, bypass surgery, carotid artery surgery, catheter ablation, cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac bypass surgery, cardiovascular surgery, laser angioplasty, valvuloplasty, balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary artery bypass graft, coronary angioplasty, heart transplantation, and carotid surgery.

Tests Performed

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including  electrocardiogram (ecg or ekg), cardiac stress test, holter monitor, echocardiogram, blood test, sphygmomanometer, cardiac enzymes, ivus, electrophysiologic study, and coronary catheterization.