Leonard Kritharides is a cardiologist based at Hospital Road, Concord, NSW, Australia. He works with people who have heart and blood vessel problems, from everyday symptoms to more urgent issues that need quick care.
In many cases, patients see Dr Kritharides for chest pain and “angina” type symptoms, including stable angina and unstable angina. He also looks after people who have had a heart attack, or who may be at risk of one due to issues like coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and high cholesterol.
Heart rhythm is another big part of cardiology. Dr Kritharides helps manage atrial fibrillation and other conditions that can affect how the heart beats. At times, this also links in with stroke risk, so heart health and brain health get considered together.
Some patients come in because of breathlessness, fluid build-up, or ongoing tiredness. These symptoms can happen with heart failure and other long-term heart conditions, like cardiomyopathy and pericarditis. He also treats valve problems, including aortic valve stenosis and tricuspid regurgitation, and can support care around procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
There are also emergencies and “time-critical” situations. Dr Kritharides manages acute coronary syndrome, and in urgent cases he may be involved with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). He works with care plans around conditions like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and myocarditis, where the cause can be more complex than people expect.
Blood clots can be part of the picture too. He has experience caring for pulmonary embolism, and he also manages peripheral artery disease and other circulation problems that can affect legs and general blood flow.
For some people, treatment may include devices or procedures. This can include pacemaker implantation, and care around heart bypass surgery when that is the right option. In specific cases, he also supports vascular procedures like carotid artery surgery.
Dr Kritharides’ clinical work also covers a broader range of conditions that can show up with heart-related symptoms, including high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and issues seen around COVID-19. Overall, the focus is on clear assessment, practical next steps, and safe management of heart conditions for adults across a range of health needs.