Our Medical practice for cardiology, lipidology, hypertensiology, cardiovascular sleep medicine, imaging (cardiac CT, cardiac MRI) in Düsseldorf, the Kardio Pro practice, is your specialized contact for comprehensive care of all diseases of the cardiovascular system. This includes all cardiovascular diseases, as well as internal medicine and sports medicine. Under the direction of PD Dr. Raphael Bruno, we offer you not only general preventive care, but also in-depth diagnostics and therapy tailored to your specific clinical picture. We understand that every heart disease - whether high blood pressure, arrhythmia or coronary heart disease - requires an individual strategy.

What distinguishes our medical practice for cardiology: An overview

The quality of a Medical practice for cardiology is measured by professional expertise, diagnostic equipment and the ability to focus on the patient. At Kardio Pro, we combine these aspects: PD Dr. Raphael Bruno has exceptional expertise as a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology with numerous certified additional qualifications. This is combined with a modern practice infrastructure and a philosophy that places the highest value on personal consultation and clear information.

Coronary heart disease (CHD): Our approach in the medical practice for cardiology

Coronary heart disease, caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, is one of the most common diseases of all and therefore very important in our society. Medical practice for cardiology. It can lead to chest tightness (angina pectoris) and heart attacks, but women in particular can also show completely different symptoms. Our aim is to detect CHD at an early stage, slow its progression and prevent complications.

Our approach:

• Diagnostics: After taking a detailed medical history, we use cardio-CT to check the blood supply to the heart if there is a corresponding risk profile. Thanks to a special cooperation, we can easily arrange your desired appointment. A cardiac ultrasound at rest provides information about possible consequential damage.
• Therapy: Treatment is based on three pillars: consistent control of risk factors (cholesterol, blood pressure), optimized drug therapy to relieve the heart and thin the blood, and a clear recommendation as to when further diagnostics (cardio-CT, stress MRI or even cardiac catheterization) are necessary.

Cardiac arrhythmias: Diagnostics and therapy in our medical practice for cardiology

Heart palpitations or tachycardia are common reasons for a visit to our Medical practice for cardiology. The challenge is to distinguish harmless arrhythmias from those that require treatment and to find the exact cause.

Our diagnostic tools:

• Resting ECG: For an initial snapshot of the heart rhythm.
• Long-term ECG: The decisive instrument for recording only sporadically occurring faults over 24 to 72 hours.
• Exercise ECG: To detect arrhythmias that occur exclusively during physical exertion.
• Echocardiography: To clarify whether the arrhythmia is due to a structural heart disease.

The therapy depends on the type and cause of the arrhythmia and ranges from reassuring information and drug treatment to recommendations for further therapy such as catheter ablation.

High blood pressure & risk factors: management in our cardiology practice

As a certified hypertensiologist (DHL®) and lipidologist (DGFF®), PD Dr. Raphael Bruno is your expert in managing the most important risk factors for heart attacks, strokes and dementia. Specialized care in our Medical practice for cardiology is particularly important when blood pressure is difficult to control or cholesterol levels remain too high despite initial measures. We use precise diagnostics (e.g. 24-hour blood pressure measurement; differentiated lipid profile) to individually control the therapy and select the optimal and most tolerable medication for you.

Heart failure (cardiac insufficiency): Long-term care from our experts

Heart failure is a chronic disease in which the heart is no longer able to supply the body with sufficient blood and oxygen. Continuous and expert care in a Medical practice for cardiology is crucial here in order to improve quality of life and slow down the progression of the disease. As a certified heart failure specialist (DGK), who was in charge of the heart failure and transplantation program at Düsseldorf University Hospital for many years, PD Dr. Bruno applies all the pillars of modern therapy.

The four pillars of modern heart failure therapy

Frequently asked questions to our medical practice for cardiology

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions from patients with known heart disease.

I have CHD. Do I now have to take medication for the rest of my life?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases, long-term drug therapy is essential. Drugs such as statins to lower cholesterol and ASA to thin the blood are the cornerstones for slowing down the progression of arteriosclerosis and preventing future heart attacks. Your Medical practice for cardiology will review the plan regularly.

Can atrial fibrillation be cured?

Atrial fibrillation is a chronic disease that often tends to have recurring episodes. A cure in the classic sense is rare. An intervention such as catheter ablation can suppress the arrhythmia for a long time or even permanently. The aim of treatment is to control the symptoms and, above all, to prevent a stroke by thinning the blood.

What can I do myself to improve my heart failure?

Your active cooperation is crucial. The most important measures are Take your medication absolutely reliably, make sure you eat a low-salt diet, check your weight daily to detect water retention early, and stay physically active within your capacity. Your Medical practice for cardiology will advise you in detail and create customized training plans with you.

How often do I have to come to the cardiology practice for a check-up?

The check-up interval depends on the type and stability of your disease. In the case of a well-controlled chronic disease such as CHD or high blood pressure, six-monthly checks are often sufficient. In the case of cardiac insufficiency or after an acute event, the intervals are usually shorter (e.g. every 6 weeks), especially in the initial phase.

My blood pressure is too high despite taking two tablets. What else can I do?

This is a classic case for a specialized Medical practice for cardiology. As a specialist practice for hypertensiology, we will first analyze the previous therapy, carry out a long-term blood pressure measurement and look for possible causes („secondary hypertension"). Often, an optimized combination of three or more active substances can achieve good blood pressure control. However, the most important measures are a reduction in body weight and exercise.

I have had a stent. Am I cured now?

A stent is a very effective „repair“ that removes a high-grade narrowing and alleviates symptoms. However, it does not cure the underlying disease, atherosclerosis. Consistent further treatment with medication and control of all risk factors in your Medical practice for cardiology are therefore necessary for the rest of the patient's life in order to prevent the stent from clogging or the occurrence of new constrictions.

I have further vascular constrictions with plaques. Do these constrictions continue to grow inexorably?

No! By consistently treating the risk factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, blood sugar, stress, inflammation), the growth can be stopped - and even a reduction in the narrowing can be achieved.

How dangerous is heart stumbling (extrasystoles)?

In a structurally healthy heart, which we check using ultrasound, individual extrasystoles are almost always harmless, even if they are perceived as unpleasant. However, the family and sports history is crucial here. However, if extrasystoles occur in large numbers, as „volleys“ or with a known heart condition, they must be evaluated by a cardiologist.

Can heart failure improve again?

Yes, especially if the heart failure was triggered by a treatable cause (e.g. a very fast pulse in atrial fibrillation or a severe thyroid dysfunction), the pumping function can completely return to normal under therapy. Modern drug therapy can also often significantly improve cardiac performance for other causes.

Do I have to change my life completely after a heart attack?

A heart attack is a drastic event that requires a reassessment of lifestyle. But it is also a great opportunity. After successful rehabilitation and with consistent care, most patients can return to their normal lifestyle. Medical practice for cardiology lead an active and fulfilling life again - often even more consciously and healthier than before.

Why is a specialist cardiology practice better than a GP for my treatment?

Your family doctor is and remains your most important first point of contact. One Medical practice for cardiology has the specialized diagnostic equipment (e.g. high-end cardiac ultrasound), the in-depth expertise in interpreting the findings and the experience with the entire spectrum of modern cardiological therapies that are necessary for the optimal treatment of heart disease.

Specialized care for your heart disease

Every heart disease requires an individual and well-founded treatment plan. In our Medical practice for cardiology In Dr. Raphael Bruno in Düsseldorf, you will find an expert who will be happy to accompany you on your journey with his specialist knowledge and commitment. If you have a known heart condition or would like a specialized examination, please make an appointment.