When to see the cardiologist?
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death worldwide. Much of this, particularly the proportion caused by arteriosclerosis, can largely be avoided by early identification and adequate control of the main risk factors, both by lifestyle changes and by starting medication if necessary. These main risk factors include smoking, obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. Age and family load are also important factors that are naturally beyond one’s control, but which must be taken into account when determining the overall risk profile. Partly as a result of improved cardiovascular prevention, we have seen a decrease in mortality due to cardiovascular diseases over the past three decades.
Waarvoor dien je langs te komen?
- Standard preventive cardiac check-up (strongly recommended from the age of 50 years or earlier at known known risk).
- Preventive cardiac control in athletes (strongly recommended from 35 years of age)
- In case of possible heart problems:
- Chest pain
- Palpitations or irregular heart rhythm
- Shortness of breath when exercising or lying down
- Intolerance to effort
- Episodes dizziness or fainting
- Swollen ankles and lower legs
- Specific diagnosis and treatment of known risk factors such as high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels
- Follow-up of known heart diseases
- Cardiac screening requested by sports federations
- Cardiac screening requested by insurance companies
The consultation:
The consultation starts with an extensive questioning and discussion of the personal history, the family history, any medication and the reason for the current consultation. We call this the anamnesis. Then we proceed to the clinical examination of the patient. On the basis of these findings we plan the necessary technical examinations, which are described below. Finally, we make a summary of the results and follow an extensive discussion with the patient. If necessary, we propose a clear treatment plan and follow-up schedule.
Which examinations do we offer at the cardiology consultation depending on the indication?
- Electrocardiogram at rest
- Electrocardiogram at exertion (cycling test)
- Transthoracic echocardiography (echo of the heart)
- Holter monitoring (continuous recording of the heart rhythm for 24 or 48 hours at your home)
- 24 hour blood pressure measurement (automatic blood pressure recording at your home for 24 hours)
For other additional examinations or treatments we work together with the Imelda Hospital in Bonheiden (B3 heart centre). The examinations coronarography, right cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary intervention (placement of stents in the coronary arteries) are carried out by Dr. Kenneth De Wilder himself as interventional cardiologist at Imelda Hospital.
Imelda Hospital Bonheiden:
- Transoesophageal echocardiography (echo of the heart through the esophagus)
- Cycling stress echocardiography and dobu stress echocardiography (Echo of the heart under stress via cycling or medication)
- Coronarography (filming of the coronary arteries with catheters through the wrist or groin)
- Right heart catheterisation (measuring the pressure in the heart with catheters through the neck or groin)
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (measuring pressures, balloon dilatations and stent placement in the coronary arteries to treat coronary artery stenosis)
- TAVI (replacing the aortic valve through the groin)
- PFO /ASD/VSD closure (closing a defect between anterior chambers or chambers of the heart through the groin)
- Event recorder or loop recorder (long-term monitoring of heart rhythm)
- Electrophysiological examination and ablation (diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias with catheters through the groin)
- Pacemaker (placement and analysis)
- Defibrillator (placement and analysis)
- Cardiac valve closure (closure of the cardiac valve through the groin)
- Cardiac surgery Dr H. Deferm, Dr H. Depraetere and Dr L. Haenen (valve and coronary artery surgery, also minimally invasive and robot assisted)
What to bring to the consultation?
- List of home medications
- Sportswear recommended (cycling test)
- From the age of 35, a report of a recent blood test with the general practitioner (e.g. glycemia, cholesterol, kidney function) is highly recommended.
- Payments only via Bancontact (Maestro) or Payconiq.
Refund
Dr. Kenneth De Wilder is fully contracted which means that the official RIZIV rates are applied. For a consultation with ECG, bicycle test and echocardiography 153,25 euro will be charged of which 132,17 euro will be refunded to the patient by RIZIV.