Frequently asked questions

Cardiologist’s reception. With what can a cardiologist help?

A cardiologist is a specialist in the study and treatment of heart disease. A specialist in cardiology specialises in areas such as:

• heart failure
• different types of arrhythmias
• coronary heart disease
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• heart valve defects
• aortic diseases
• heart attack or myocardial infarction
• congenital heart defects

What is an ultrasound scan of the heart and what does it do?

Ultrasound is an easy and safe basic examination that allows the cardiologist to see in real time the structure and flow of the heart, as well as the structure and function of the heart valves. The doctor performs an ultrasound examination of the heart by moving the ultrasound probe over the chest, with the patient lying on his or her left side.

What is a stress test and what does it do?

Exercise ECG is a test to determine the patient’s performance and any limiting factors, such as myocardial ischaemia or chest pain, arrhythmias or pumping disturbances during exercise. Exercise testing can be used to investigate the causes of chest pain and to assess the risk of coronary heart disease. Suspected coronary artery disease is the most common reason for an exercise stress test.

In the endurance test, you pedal on an exercise bike with increasing resistance every minute. During the test, the cardiologist monitors the electrical activity of the patient’s heart and blood pressure. The results of the test are made available to the patient immediately after the test.

What is a Holter study and what does it do?

The Holter study is used to check for arrhythmias. The recording is used to assess the rhythm and heart rate of the heart in different situations, possible extra beats, beats and pauses. In the Holter study, the 2-6 cables of the device are attached to electrode stickers that are glued to the skin and the device is carried in an electrode pin or a belt pouch. Typically, Holter recordings last 24 hours, but recordings of up to a week are possible.

What is a heart film and what does it do?

The ECG is an indispensable tool for detecting heart disease. It provides information about the heart rhythm and possible oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle, for example. A previous heart attack can also leave its mark on the ECG.

In an ECG, sticker electrodes attached to the chest, ankles and wrists transmit information about the heart’s electrical activity to the ECG machine. The test is painless and takes only about 5-10 minutes to prepare.

What is daily blood pressure monitoring and what does it do?

Daily blood pressure monitoring provides a 24-hour picture of blood pressure and heart rate. A blood pressure cuff is attached to the patient’s arm and a small waist-mounted recorder measures and records the blood pressure, even during sleep. The data provide a comprehensive picture of blood pressure behaviour at different times of the day and in different situations.

What is an event ECG study and what does it do?

An event or symptom ECG is used to seek clarification of symptoms of arrhythmia that occur less frequently. Usually carried for 2-3 weeks, the device records the ECG when symptoms occur, either by measuring the thumbs or the index finger and chest. Up to several hundred ECG recordings can be stored on the device. At the appointment, the doctor interprets the recordings and discusses with the patient possible further action.

What is a coronary CT scan and what does it do?

Computed tomography uses X-rays to obtain precise information about different structures in the body, such as the heart or coronary arteries. Imaging of the coronary arteries can detect the possibility of coronary artery disease (CAD), an excellent method for ruling out coronary artery disease.

In a normal X-ray, a single image is taken when the beam comes from one direction, but in a CT scan, a ring-shaped, stationary rotating machine takes X-rays from many different directions while the patient lies in the middle of the machine. The CT scanner is therefore open at both ends. By taking lots of pictures, you get much more accurate images of the subject.

Since a beating heart alone will cause blurring of the image, the first step is to get the heartbeat as steady as possible by giving the patient a beta-blocker if necessary. The patient is also given a nitro spray, which dilates the coronary arteries. To make the coronary arteries as visible as possible, an iodine-containing contrast agent is also used. It is administered to the patient through a cannula in the elbow. The patient may feel the contrast agent as a warm buzz through the body and the mouth may taste metallic for a moment, which is perfectly normal. The patient is also instructed to hold their breath for a few seconds at a time while the image is taken, which helps to ensure an accurate image.

The examination is quick and easy, and afterwards you can go about your day as normal.

Is intravenous contrast dangerous and how does it leave the body?

The iodine-containing contrast agent used in CT imaging is not dangerous, but it can cause allergic reactions in some patients. However, side effects are usually mild hypersensitivity reactions such as itching, rashes or nausea. If you know you are allergic to iodine, please tell your doctor or radiographer well in advance of the test.

Is the CT scan suitable for everyone?

The doctor always assesses the suitability and appropriateness of the examination on a patient-by-patient basis before writing the imaging referral. Coronary CT may not be suitable for patients with severe renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation or high levels of additional strokes.

How long will the examination take?

A CT scan is a painless and quick examination. Preparations take longer than the scan itself. The examination and preparation takes about 30 minutes, of which the imaging takes about 5 minutes. After the scan, you can go about your day as normal. The contrast agent is eliminated from the body in urine, so it is a good idea to drink a little more fluids than usual during the day after the examination.

Who is a coronary CT scan for?

A CT scan of the coronary arteries can reliably detect or exclude coronary artery disease. It has the advantage of being non-invasive and fast. It is particularly useful for people with stable chest pain and a low to moderate risk of coronary artery disease. It can detect even small coronary changes that do not cause ischaemia.

Where is the CT scan carried out?

The Sydänkeskus’s speciality is the CT scanner, which can be moved to wherever imaging is needed. Currently, imaging is regularly performed in Oulu, Rovaniemi, Pori and Helsinki. In Oulu, the filming location is the parking area of the Joutsensilla shopping centre, Paljekuja 5. In Rovaniemi, the filming location is close to our office, in Urheilukadu, in front of the Wiljam theatre. In Pori, the location is the courtyard of the Puuvilla shopping centre, and in Helsinki, the location is the parking area of Jäähalli, Pohjoinen Stadiontie.

When you book your appointment, you will receive instructions on how to prepare, a preliminary information form and up-to-date information on the address where the survey will be carried out. There are no waiting rooms at the TT desk, so please arrive just before the scheduled time.

How do I get a CT scan and do I need a referral?

You need a doctor’s referral for a CT scan. The treatment path for private patients starts at the cardiologist’s office in the Sydänkeskus or at a remote location. At the appointment, the cardiologist will assess the need for further investigation and, if necessary, write a referral for a CT scan. The doctor will also assess the need for laboratory tests before the CT scan. You can book an imaging appointment immediately after your appointment at our office, via MyHeartCentre chat or by calling our customer service. Your referring doctor will call you with the results after the imaging session.

How do I get the results of a CT scan?

The referring doctor will call you at a pre-arranged time with the results of the examination and a possible follow-up plan. You will receive a written statement by post to your home.

How do I pay for a CT scan?

You will normally pay for a visit to the cardiologist’s surgery, including any tests carried out there, at our office after the visit. You will receive a bill for the CT scan and the doctor’s opinion by post to your home after the examination.

If you are covered by a health insurance policy, for example from an occupational health service or a health centre, we will bill them for the examination.

I have insurance, do I have to pay for the research myself?

If you have received a commitment from your insurance company to pay for this study, please send it to us so that we can bill the insurance company directly. For some insurers, the practice is that the client pays for the examination first and then claims reimbursement from the insurer. If you are not sure whether your insurance covers the study, you should contact your insurance company yourself to find out the conditions and possible deductibles.

Do I need to have laboratory tests before the CT scan?

In addition to an imaging referral, the doctor may write a referral for laboratory tests, in which case the laboratory must be visited before the CT scan. Laboratory tests are not always necessary; the doctor will assess the need for laboratory tests when writing the CT referral.

You can visit the laboratory with the service provider of your choice. The Sydänkeskus works with Synlab and Pihlajalinna, and the results arrive directly from them to the Sydänkeskus, usually within 2 days. When making an appointment at the laboratory, please mention that you are a client of the Sydänkeskus. If you choose another service provider, please arrange for the laboratory results to be sent to our office before the CT scan, for example via Sydän-chat, or by secure mail. Please take the laboratory referral from your doctor with you to your laboratory visit. The service provider will charge you for the sampling at the time of the laboratory visit.

What is angina pectoris?

Heart-related chest pain, angina pectoris. The most typical symptom – chest pain – comes with exertion or a strong emotional reaction, known as angina pectoris (chest pain on exertion). The pain may radiate to the left arm, neck and jaw, but symptoms may also include shortness of breath, rapid fatigue on exertion, nausea, nausea, nausea or heartburn.

What does chest pain mean?

Chest pain as a symptom may indicate heart-related problems, such as.

• coronary heart disease
• valve failure
• pulmonary artery plug and
• diseases of the heart muscle.

The above problems should be investigated for diagnosis and treatment. To obtain a diagnosis, a cardiologist needs to assess the condition and examine the heart using appropriate methods.

What are the coronary arteries?

The coronary arteries are the arteries that run along the surface of the heart, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. In coronary artery disease, fatty deposits begin to develop in the inner lining of the arteries of the heart, which over time cause the artery to narrow.

What is hypertension?

In a healthy person, blood pressure fluctuates constantly depending, among other things, on physical exertion. If blood pressure is permanently elevated, this is called hypertension. Elevated blood pressure does not usually cause symptoms. There are many reasons for high blood pressure. Lifestyle plays a key role, but hereditary factors also affect blood pressure.

Only a few people have a specific condition, such as kidney disease or a hormone-producing tumour, that is associated with high blood pressure. The vast majority, around 95%, have what is known as essential or primary hypertension. There is no obvious cause for the elevated blood pressure. A lifestyle that raises blood pressure plays a very important role:

• high use of table salt
• heavy regular alcohol consumption
• excess weight
• low physical activity
• stress

When blood pressure is permanently high, the heart and the entire circulatory system are stressed. High blood pressure also accelerates arteriosclerosis, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as efficiently as the body needs it to. Heart failure is not a disease in itself, but a consequence of heart disease. Heart disease may or may not cause heart failure. For example, coronary artery disease can manifest as chest pain on exertion without heart failure. In severe coronary artery disease, on the other hand, symptoms of heart failure may dominate the clinical picture.

Acute heart failure occurs when the disease starts suddenly, for example after a heart attack, severe myocarditis or a difficult arrhythmia. Symptoms are usually severe shortness of breath.

Heart failure is divided into two types:

• in systolic heart failure, the pumping capacity of the left ventricle of the heart is reduced.
• in diastolic heart failure, the heart’s pumping capacity is normal or at most slightly reduced and the heart size is not increased.

What is an arrhythmia?

The heart beats constantly and steadily, slower at rest and faster during exertion. The steady beat can be disturbed in many different ways and this is called arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm abnormalities, are common. Occasional extra heartbeats are also common in healthy people. Arrhythmias are both harmless and dangerous. If the arrhythmias are recurrent or the symptoms are severe, it is important to check whether there is an underlying heart condition. It is important to find out when arrhythmia symptoms indicate a disease and a risk of more serious attacks.

What are additional strokes?

Extra beats are the most common type of arrhythmia. Extra beats occur in small amounts in all people. In an extra beat, the electrical impulse to contract the heart is not generated at the normal site in the sinus node, but somewhere else in the heart. In arrhythmia, the heartbeats originate outside the sinus node that regulates the heartbeats. That’s why the extra beat feels different. The most common sensation is a thudding heartbeat. It can also be a momentary sensation of pain or other discomfort in the chest or neck, lasting a few seconds.

What are ventricular beats?

As the name suggests, the ventricular inflow originates somewhere in the ventricles. Ventricular fibrillations are mainly benign and a few dozen, even hundreds, are commonly found in the long-term recordings of most ECGs.

Good quality ventricular beats can be characterised by their occurrence at rest and disappearance with exertion. The additional beats are often monotonic on the ECG, i.e. they originate at a single point in the ventricles. Even benign additional beats can be abundant at times, for example every second or every third beat can be an additional beat.

However, ventricular beats can also be a sign or a consequence of heart disease. In this case, the extra beats do not disappear or even increase with exertion. On an ECG, they may look complex, i.e. they come from many points in the ventricles.

What is atrial fibrillation?

In atrial fibrillation, the normal regular rhythm of the heart is disrupted. Atrial fibrillation can also be called fibrillation. In atrial fibrillation, the heart usually beats both fast and irregularly. This can be detected by palpating the wrist pulse, for example. Abnormal breathlessness and fatigue on exertion are also common with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is detected by an ECG.

What is atrial fibrillation?

After atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter is the most common atrial arrhythmia, also called flutter. Atrial flutter is caused by abnormal and rapid production of an electrical discharge from the atria of the heart. Symptoms of atrial flutter typically include palpitations, weakness, accelerated, pulsatile and irregular pulse.

What is cholesterol? How does cholesterol affect the heart?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is partly produced by the body. Cholesterol is an important and necessary building material for cells and is essential for the well-being of the body. High blood cholesterol levels mean that the body has too much cholesterol, which causes fatty deposits to build up in the blood vessels. This can cause arteries to narrow and become blocked, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body. This greatly increases the risk of stroke and heart attack and can lead to serious heart problems. This is why it is important to monitor your cholesterol levels, especially if you are in a group at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

How can heartburn be linked to the heart?

Heartburn is a burning or corrosive sensation behind the sternum. Sometimes it is also accompanied by a feeling of acid rising into the throat. Mild and occasional heartburn is harmless and quite common, but as a persistent symptom it is a sign of reflux disease. Severe reflux symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from severe cardiac symptoms. Sudden, sudden, burning pain in the chest can be a symptom of a heart attack, which is easily explained away as heartburn, delaying seeking treatment. The best way to tell the difference between long-term cardiac and oesophageal pain is that cardiac pain is associated with exertion such as brisk walking or pounding snow in winter. Oesophageal pain is independent of exertion and can occur in different situations.

How long of an appointment should i book?

The cardiologist’s appointment time is usually 30 minutes, which allows time for the most common tests. If you want a longer appointment and there are several issues to be discussed, you can also book an appointment for 45min.

Book your appointment online or by calling our customer service.

When is your next available appointment time?

Check free appointment times from online booking or call our customer service.

Can I come without an appointment?

When you arrive for your appointment, you must have a pre-booked appointment with a cardiologist. You can book an appointment either online or by calling our customer service.

Do I need a referral?

You can come to our clinic for a heart examination without a doctor’s referral or with a referral. For CT scans and invasive examinations in Helsinki, you need a referral.

How do I book a call?

You can book a call to the cardiologist who treated you by calling our customer service. Please note that the cardiologist may charge you for the call.

How do i renew my recipe?

You can call our customer service and leave a call request to the cardiologist who handled your case to renew your prescription. The cardiologist may charge you for a prescription renewal. When renewing a prescription, the cardiologist will always use discretion and, if necessary, ask the patient for a follow-up visit or tests before the prescription is renewed.

How do I cancel or change an appointment?

You can cancel or change your appointment by calling our customer service or, if you have booked an appointment online, you can do so online using the code you received when you made your booking.

Is it possible to pay for a doctor’s visit and examination by invoice or in instalments?

You can choose to pay all at once by invoice or pay in instalments through our partner Walley. To take advantage of the payment period, you need a positive credit decision, which you can apply for in advance. More information about paying with Walley and more detailed credit terms and conditions.

I have a question about an invoice I received. What do I do?

If you have received an invoice from the Sydänkeskus, please contact the location where you received the bill from.

If you have chosen to pay by Walley invoice or instalment, please contact Walley Customer Service directly at 09 3158 9947, Mon-Fri 9-18. You can also contact customer service by e-mail at hello@nullwalley.fi.

Will my visit details be visible in OmaKanta?

In addition to the Oulu Sydänkeskus’s own patient information system, the medical records of Oulu Sydänkeskus’s customers are also stored in the Potilastieto archive. In connection with your treatment, healthcare providers can view your health data through Kanta services, in accordance with your own consents and prohibitions. Consents and denials can be maintained through the OmaKanta service. For more information and to manage your consents and objections, see www.kanta.fi. The Oulu Sydänkeskus staff may change your consents and refusals upon request.

General conditions for health services

Scope

These General Terms and Conditions apply to all contracts by which Oulu Sydänkeskus Ltd or self-employed persons working in its units (hereinafter referred to as “the Medical Centre” and “the Practitioner” and each separately as “the Provider”) provide and organise health services for consumers, businesses, municipalities or other private, public or third sector clients (“the Client”). Health services include, inter alia, consultations and consultations; and related support functions such as appointment booking and billing. To the extent that the Client is a consumer, these terms and conditions are without prejudice to any rights of the consumer under consumer protection law which cannot be otherwise agreed. Where the service is based in whole or in part on a contract between the service provider and a municipality, insurance company, sports club, employer or other body, the user of the service is hereinafter also referred to as “the patient”.

Parties to the contract and responsibility for the service

The medical centre has a well-established practice of both employees and self-employed workers. In addition to providing services such as examinations, the medical centre itself also provides, among other things, appointment and payment services on behalf of the self-employed. The practitioner is not employed by the medical centre. The practitioner, on the other hand, may carry out his activities either as a natural person or on behalf of a company. What is stated in these conditions concerning professionals also applies to such companies operating in the medical centre and employing professionals. The practitioner and the medical centre are separate contracting parties in relation to the client and the patient, and each is directly responsible to the latter for its own services. The practitioner and the medical centre are not responsible for each other. The practitioner and the medical centre have their own patient insurance under the Patient Compensation Act. The medical centre and the practitioners will provide further information on their status on request.

Creation and content of the contract

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a contract is formed when the client or patient and the provider agree on an appointment.

Cancellation and delay

The Provider has the right to charge the unused time and service to the Client or Patient, unless the service is cancelled at the latest on the previous day (or at a different time separately indicated) before the agreed time. If the client or patient arrives late, the service provider is not obliged to exceed the agreed time or to start the agreed procedure if it cannot be performed within the agreed time. The provider will endeavour to see the client or patient at the agreed time, but due to the nature of the health service, the agreed time cannot be guaranteed. If the provider is more than 20 minutes late, the client or patient has the right to cancel the appointment by notifying the provider.

Prices

For the services of the practitioner and the medical centre, the price lists in force at the time apply. The practitioner and the medical centre set their own prices. In addition to the price of the treatment, examination and other services, an office fee will be charged. Due to the nature of the health service, it is not possible to estimate in advance all the examinations and treatments required.

Terms of payment

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the client pays for the service in cash using payment cards accepted by the Medical Centre, in accordance with the Medical Centre’s policy at the time of the visit. The fee is collected by the medical centre both on its own behalf and on behalf of the practitioner, the practitioner’s share being passed on to the practitioner. The provider is entitled to charge an advance payment. The client must inform the health care provider before the appointment and the actual health care service if the client is unable to pay or cannot otherwise pay for the service as described above. The service provider has the right to suspend his contractual obligations if there are grounds to suspect that the client is not fulfilling his contractual obligations. In the event of late payment, the customer is liable to pay interest on arrears in accordance with the Interest Act, as well as reminder and recovery costs.

Non-self-paying customers

In the case of an occupational health service or if the patient does not otherwise pay for the service, the patient must clarify and secure a payment arrangement when making the appointment to ensure a smooth service. If the service is not payable by the provider indicated by the patient, the patient is responsible for the payment.

Medical records and confidentiality

The creation, storage, disclosure and confidentiality of medical records are governed by the relevant laws and regulations.

Service characteristics and quality

The quality of health care and medical errors are defined by the Patient Compensation Act. A specific outcome of the service cannot be guaranteed. The information provided on the website and in other communications is for reference only and does not form part of the contract.

Handling feedback and claims about the service

Any disagreements about the service should be resolved in the first instance directly between the client or patient and the doctor or other person who provided the service. If this discussion does not resolve the matter, the claim may also be submitted to a designated processor at the medical center, who will forward the claims to the practitioner. If the case continues after the initial correspondence, the handling of the practitioner’s claim will continue directly between the practitioner and the client or patient. Claims under the Patient Compensation Act are governed by the Patient Compensation Act. A reminder may also be made in accordance with the relevant regulations. The Patient Ombudsman provides more detailed information on patient claims and complaints. Other claims must be submitted to the provider without undue delay within 2 weeks of the service.

Force majeure

The Service Provider shall not be liable for delays or other breaches of obligations caused by reasons beyond its control. Causes beyond the control of the service provider are strikes or other industrial action, fire, hospital bacillus as the cause of the interruption or other delay, illness of the receiving professional, interruption of electricity supply, telecommunications connections or the operation of information systems, action under public law or any other cause which the service provider cannot reasonably eliminate.

Damages

Patient damages are handled and compensated according to the Patient Damage Act. Otherwise, the provider’s liability is limited to the price paid for the service. Indirect damages will not be compensated.