What Is Geriatric Cardiology?

In order to better understand geriatric cardiology, it is easiest to break this term down into its components. Cardiology refers to the study of the heart. Cardiologists, therefore, are concerned with the diseases and healthy function of this vital organ. Geriatrics is the field of medicine dealing with the elderly. Putting these words together, geriatric cardiology is basically the study of the heart's function in older demographics.

Cardiology is a very important and difficult field of medicine to practice. Although all organs of the body are very important in their own respects, the heart is among the most vital of all. The very high importance of the heart coupled with the complexity of its function results in a need for specialized knowledge among cardiologists. For this reason, only the most knowledgeable and trained professionals generally wind up in this field.

The human body is a dynamic being, changing frequently and dramatically throughout the course of a person's life. This is why many different medical specialties have been created. Children, for example, go to pediatricians, while healthy individuals during adulthood see other kinds of doctors. As people age, their systems and bodies change so significantly that an entire medical field is dedicated to them. This field, termed geriatrics, is often concerned with geriatric cardiology.

If someone's skeletal muscle fails, it may affect movement, but it is not likely to end life. If this person's heart fails, however, he or she may very well face that danger. There are many diseases that come about as people age that affect the heart's ability to function. Geriatric cardiologists spend time diagnosing and treating these diseases, which are usually identified through a series of tests. Early identification of these life-threatening disorders can help improve health, and treatments can range from lifestyle changes to medications to surgeries or other physical interventions.

Geriatric cardiology, like other fields, is also very much focused on prevention. In cardiology, this remains particularly true. In geriatric cardiology, patients can be consulted on their dietary habits and general lifestyles to hopefully create an environment ideal for a healthy life. Although it is difficult to remain disciplined before a condition exists, committing to cardiac health can add many years to a person's life. Thankfully, the field of geriatric cardiology exists to help the elderly enjoy their golden years as healthy individuals.