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.

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

Cardiac Conditions or Heart Diseases Treated by Heart Specialists

Our heart specialists or cardiologists are committed to delivering personalised, evidence-based care for a wide range of cardiovascular or heart and vascular diseases, including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD)

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

• Heart failure

• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) such as atrial fibrillation (AFib)

• Heart valve diseases (aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse)

• Cardiomyopathy

• Hypertensive (high blood pressure)

• Pulmonary embolism

• Aortic aneurysms such as thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)

• Peripheral artery 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

• 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

• 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 Reverse (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.