The cardiologist has a special inclination towards cardiovascular prevention education for patients, the new generations of doctors and other health professionals.
By: Luisa Ochoa
When a medical student rotates through the different specialties of the career, they begin to learn regarding and take a particular interest in certain areas and most of them decide at an early age the specialty in which they want to care for their patients in the future.
For Dr. María Milagros Cortés, the cardiology “captivated” her while she was doing her rotation at the Universidad Central del Caribe in Bayamón, an institution that forged her as a doctor following graduating from high school at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.
The cardiologist is the current president of the Association of Cardiologists of Puerto Rico, did her residency at the UHS Wilson Medical Center in New York for 3 years and then applied for a fellowship at cardiology at the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
“What captivated me regarding the cardiology It was the electrocardiograms, in my first cardio rotation as a medical student, arriving and seeing a tray of electrocardiograms that you had to read them and you had to know what it said, discovering and deciphering that electrical language of the heart captivated me”, he recalled Dr. Maria.
Love for the cardiovascular health of his patients
In his day to day, he frequently sees conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, which are often a challenge to treat due to the number of medications that interfere with the health of patients. patientsHowever, for the specialist, the fact that a patient trusts their doctor and seeks guidance is one of the most beautiful rewards that can be received.
“The challenge I have in my practice is getting the patient to understand the medication they are taking and what they are taking it for. To the extent that the patient understands it, he will have better adherence to the treatment and her health will improve”, highlighted Dr. María.
For this reason, the specialist seeks to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship in her daily practice, since the well-being of the people she treats with heart conditions is one of her highest priorities. “I really emphasize to the patient that the time she takes now to dedicate to improving her health is time that in the future will help her have a better quality of life,” acknowledged Dr. María.
Educating patients and primary care physicians, another of his great passions
Apart from the vocation to serve the patientseducation is another inspiration in the life of Dr. María Milagros, and in the Association of Cardiologists of Puerto Rico she has been able to lead educational meetings to patientsprimary physicians and specialists.
“In my practice of cardiologyapart from serving as an educator to my patientsI also collaborate with medical students, many of them come to do rotations and are impregnated by the science of medicine. cardiology and that satisfies me, since as a doctor there is a part of an educator and here comes the commitment of the Association of Cardiologists of Puerto Rico, in educating the patient and colleagues in primary medicine to increase knowledge regarding the cardiovascular area”, commented the specialist.
At the end of the day, following carrying out her daily activities, the doctor loves coming home to share with her family, as well as remembering the stories of her patients and see how they improve their quality of life.
Empowered Voice for Women’s Heart Health
Currently, Dr. María is leading initiatives to increase awareness of cardiovascular prevention among Puerto Rican women, who frequently ignore their symptoms and arrive late to see specialists.
“The role of the Association of Cardiologists of Puerto Rico is very important, we have dynamic women empowered to carry the message of cardiovascular care in our women. Before the symptoms might be attributed to tiredness, anxiety, palpitations, fatigue and it was not evaluated from the cardiovascular point of view, that has to change”.
From the Association, the specialist has established a clear objective and it is “to be able to educate the people and colleagues in identifying cardiovascular disease at an early stage in our women”, added Dr. María.
Women are paving the way in Puerto Rico
In the month of heart health, the specialist also recognized that now there are more women cardiologists in Puerto Rico, a fact that fills her with deep satisfaction to see how women have gained ground that traditionally has a majority of the male gender.
“20 years ago we were a small group, this group has been increasing and we currently have doctors in training in nursing homes. cardiology in Puerto Rico and that for me is a great pride, we are opening paths, “concluded the renowned cardiologist.
