General Cardiology Consultation

What is cardiology?

Cardiology is a branch of medicine concerned with diseases and disorders of the heart. The specialty deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions, such as heart disease, coronary artery disease congenital heart defects, heart failure and valvular heart disease.

When do I need to see a cardiologist?

If your general practitioner feels that you might have a heart condition, he or she will often refer you to a cardiologist for more detailed evaluation. Symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pains, or dizzy spells often require special testing. Sometimes heart murmurs or ECG changes need the evaluation of a cardiologist.

As a trained and experienced cardiologist, Dr Ntuli is able to assist people with heart conditions to get healthier and return to a better quality of life.

He also gives advice to patients about the risks of heart disease and how to prevent it. Dr Ntuli treats various heart conditions, including heart attacks, heart failure, and serious heart rhythm disturbances. In addition, he uses his skills and training for complex procedures such as cardiac catheterisation, balloon angioplasty, or heart surgery.

What to expect

During a consultation, Dr Ntuli will ask about any symptoms you are having. He will also review your medical history and perform a physical examination that may include checking your blood pressure, weight, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. In addition, he will assess the risk factors contributing to your heart condition, including family history, age and lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, stress and drug or tobacco use. Weight, blood pressure and heart rate will be checked, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) will be done. Next, Dr Ntuli will review the information given, the results of patients tests will be evaluated and discussed, and the options for treatment will be explained. You are welcome to ask Dr Ntuli any questions or concerns you may have.

Dr Ntuli treats the following conditions:

  • Acute coronary syndrome/unstable angina
  • Heart attack/Myocardial Infarction
  • Hypertensive heart disease
  • Pericardial disease including HIV related pericarditis
  • Congestive cardiac failure with dilated cardiomyopathy and HIV-related cardiomyopathy
  • Rheumatic valvular heart disease
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Atrial fibrillation/irregular heartbeat/arrhythmia