Heart (Cardiology)

What Is Cardiology?

Cardiology is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. The cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, plays a vital role in circulating blood and oxygen throughout the body, making heart health essential to overall well-being.

Cardiology Care at Prince Court At a Glance

Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur provides cardiovascular screening, diagnostic cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, paediatric/congenital cardiology and 24/7 emergency angioplasty, supported by a Cath Lab with biplane imaging and 3D cardiac mapping.

Our cardiology services include:

• Heart disease screening and diagnosis
• Coronary artery disease and heart attack care
• Heart rhythm disorder and atrial fibrillation management
• Heart failure and heart valve disease management
• Interventional cardiology, including angioplasty and stenting
• Electrophysiology studies and catheter ablation
• Pacemaker and cardiac device implantation
• 24/7 emergency angioplasty for acute heart attacks
• Paediatric and congenital cardiology

When Should You See a Cardiologist?

At Prince Court Cardiology Centre, we provide complete heart and vascular care from early screening and diagnosis to advanced interventional treatments and long-term management.

Common Symptoms of Heart Conditions

If you experience any of the following symptoms, early evaluation by a cardiologist is important:

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Irregular or rapid heartbeat

• Heart palpitations (sensations of a racing, fluttering, or pounding heart)

• Dizziness, fainting or near-fainting episodes

• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

• Fatigue with minimal exertion

Common Heart Conditions Treated by Heart Specialists

Our cardiologists diagnose and manage a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, from coronary artery disease and heart rhythm disorders to heart failure and structural heart disease. Depending on the condition, treatment may include medication, interventional cardiology procedures, electrophysiology procedures or coordinated care with cardiothoracic surgeons.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. Depending on the severity of the blockage, treatment may include medication or interventional procedures such as coronary balloon angioplasty and angioplasty with stent placement (PCI).

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Prince Court provides 24/7 emergency cardiac care, including urgent coronary angiography, angioplasty and stenting when clinically appropriate.

Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmias)

Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) occur when the heart beats too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Diagnosis may involve an electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring or electrophysiology studies, while treatment may include medication, catheter ablation or cardiac devices depending on the type of arrhythmia.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder that causes an irregular heartbeat and can increase the risk of stroke. Management may include medication to control the heart rate or rhythm and reduce stroke risk, as well as procedures such as catheter ablation or left atrial appendage occlusion for selected patients.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively enough to meet the body's needs. Management may involve medication, lifestyle changes and cardiac devices, depending on the underlying cause and severity.

Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease such as aortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse affects how blood flows through the heart. Depending on the valve affected and severity of the condition, patients may require monitoring, medication, minimally invasive intervention or heart valve surgery.

Other conditions related to heart health include:

• Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that can make it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively and may lead to heart failure or abnormal heart rhythms.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure): Persistently high blood pressure can place additional strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke if not well controlled.
• Pulmonary embolism: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially serious condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, commonly causing sudden shortness of breath, chest pain or a rapid heartbeat. Prompt medical assessment and treatment are important.
• Aortic aneurysms: An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement or bulging of the aorta, the body's main artery. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) occur in the part of the aorta that passes through the chest and may require regular monitoring or treatment depending on their size and risk of complications.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD): A circulatory condition caused by narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. PAD may cause leg pain when walking and is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease refers to structural heart conditions present at birth. At Prince Court Medical Centre, our cardiologists and paediatric cardiologists provide comprehensive evaluation and long-term management for both children and adults with congenital heart conditions, including:

• Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

• Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)

• Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)

• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome

Cardiac Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures

At Prince Court Cardiology Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of advanced diagnostic and interventional procedures to accurately assess heart conditions and deliver timely, effective treatment. From non-invasive imaging and cardiac testing to minimally invasive catheter-based interventions and complex electrophysiology procedures, our heart specialists use the latest technology to provide precise, patient-centred care at every stage of treatment.

Non-Invasive Cardiac Diagnostic Tests

Non-invasive heart tests can help investigate symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance without requiring instruments to be inserted into the body.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): A quick, painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity to detect irregular heartbeats, previous heart attacks, or other heart abnormalities.

• Echocardiography: An ultrasound scan of the heart that shows how well the heart pumps and how the heart valves function.

• Cardiac stress testing: Assesses how the heart performs during physical activity or with medication, helping to detect blocked arteries and exercise-related heart problems.

• Holter and ambulatory ECG monitoring: Continuous heart rhythm monitoring over 24 to 72 hours (or longer) to identify intermittent arrhythmias that may not appear during a standard ECG.

• Coronary calcium scoring (CT): A CT scan that measures calcium buildup in the coronary arteries to assess the risk of coronary artery disease before symptoms develop.

• CT coronary angiography: A non-invasive CT scan using contrast dye to produce detailed images of the coronary arteries and detect narrowing or blockages.

Invasive Diagnostic Procedures

When more detailed assessment is required, your cardiologist may recommend invasive diagnostic procedures to examine the coronary arteries or the heart's electrical system.

• Coronary and bypass graft angiography: A procedure that uses X-rays and contrast dye to examine the coronary arteries and bypass grafts supplying blood to the heart, allowing doctors to detect blockages or narrowing and assess the success of previous surgeries.

• Right and left heart cardiac catheterisation: A procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the right or left side of the heart to measure blood pressure, oxygen levels, and evaluate overall heart function.

• Peripheral and renal angiography: An X-ray and contrast dye procedure used to examine blood vessels in the arms, legs, and kidneys for blockages or narrowing.

• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS): An imaging technique that uses an ultrasound probe on a catheter to visualise the inside of blood vessels and assess plaque buildup and narrowing.

• Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR): A procedure that measures pressure differences across a coronary artery blockage to determine its severity and whether a stent is required.

Interventional and Therapeutic Procedures

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): A minimally invasive procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries using a balloon catheter and, in many cases, stent placement. Techniques include drug-eluting stent implantation, plain balloon angioplasty, and drug-coated balloon angioplasty.

• 24/7 emergency angioplasty for heart attacks: A life-saving emergency procedure to open a blocked coronary artery using a balloon catheter and stent placement.

• Peripheral and renal angioplasty: A minimally invasive procedure to restore blood flow in peripheral and renal arteries.

• Renal artery denervation for resistant hypertension: A specialised procedure that ablates overactive nerves around the renal arteries to help control blood pressure that does not respond to medication.

• Percutaneous device closure for atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO): A procedure to close holes in the heart that can increase the risk of stroke or heart failure.

• Electrophysiological studies and catheter ablation with 3D mapping: Advanced procedures that locate and treat abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and ventricular tachycardia.

• Left atrial appendage occluder device implantation: A procedure to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot take long-term blood thinners.

• Cardiac device implantation: Implantation of devices that regulate heart rhythm, including:

• Permanent single-chamber and dual-chamber pacemakers

• Biventricular pacemakers (CRT-P or CRT-D)

• Leadless pacemaker implantation (Micra)

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

Why Choose Prince Court Cardiology Centre

One of the Leading Cardiology Centres in Malaysia

When it comes to your heart health, receiving high-quality cardiology services from experienced and knowledgeable professionals is crucial.

At Prince Court Cardiology department, we have a team of consultant interventional cardiologists, consultant paediatric cardiologists, and consultant cardiac electrophysiology cardiologist. Additionally, in our Cardiothoracic Surgery (Cardiac Surgery) services department, we have consultant cardiothoracic surgeons (cardiac surgeons).

Advanced Technology and Facilities

We operate state-of-the-art facilities including:

Non-Invasive Diagnostic Cardiology Laboratory 

• Provides a wide range of comprehensive cardiovascular diagnostic tests and procedures such as echocardiography, stress testing, Holter monitoring, and comprehensive cardiovascular diagnostics.

Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab)

• Providing minimally invasive interventional cardiology services for coronary, peripheral, renal, structural heart, and rhythm disorders, equipped with biplane imaging and 3D cardiac mapping to enhance safety and precision.

• The Cath Lab at Prince Court Medical Centre is available 24/7, with full cardiac emergency teams on standby for urgent angioplasty and stenting in acute heart attack cases.