Meet Mater’s cardiology team who offer a comprehensive cardiac care service to both public and private patients across Mater diagnosing and treating a range of different heart conditions and disorders while also offering early interventions.
Director of Cardiology Assoc. Professor Dr Karam Kostner said his team is well equipped to manage general cardiac concerns from coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and arrhythmias to far more complex and rare conditions.
"Our team also specialise in areas that other hospitals do not cover such as adult congenital heart disease, complex heart conditions, dyslipidemias, cardiac disorders in pregnancy, and pulmonary hypertension," Dr Kostner said.
"We run the most comprehensive lipid clinics in the state, where our team is also heavily involved in research collaborating with Mater Research and other cardiac centres around the country. We have access to novel treatments in this area very early.
"We have a multidisciplinary team of senior cardiologists, cardiac nurses, sonographers, advanced trainees in cardiology, registrars, medical students who are able to provide a range of non-invasive and interventional services from echo, stress testing, CT, halters, angiograms, angioplasty, pacemakers and structural heart procedures."
Dr Kostner said during the COVID-19 lock down the team noticed a reduction in patients referred for cardiac conditions and attending their scheduled appointments.
"Fortunately, that does seem to be improving now, this is important as with advances in both technology and medical knowledge we are able to provide more conservative management options for cardiac conditions, especially when our patients stay on top of their treatment plans," Dr Kostner said.
"This is important as through improved medical management, we are able to provide less invasive intervention and predominantly manage people as outpatients. Even when intervention is needed, these days treatment options are far less invasive and usually can be simple day surgeries.
"As with any condition, early intervention is always best as we can identify and manage the issue before it gets out of hand. It's important for people to understand risk factors of heart conditions and seek help when they become concerned."
Dr Kostner explains understanding heart health is imperative and recognising the warning signs and risk factors which include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or an early family history of heart disease.
"To stay on top of their heart health patients should have regular check-ups with their GP and discuss any concerns they may have. Early detection and referral to the right specialist can have a major impact on patient outcomes," Dr Kostner said.
"Mater Hospital is also now positioned to offer one of the most comprehensive cardiac imaging services in the state thanks to a new cardiac CT and MRI machine in the QLD X-ray rooms which plays an important role in the management of patients with congenital or acquired heart disease.
"Finally, we are very happy to support Mater staff, they are welcome to see us for concerns they may have with blood pressure, cholesterol or other heart related issues. They are welcome to contact us and see us through a GP referral.”
To find out more about Mater’s Cardiology services you can visit, https://www.materonline.org.au/specialist/cardiology