Asst. Prof. Funda Helvacıoğlu, MD

Asst. Prof. Funda Helvacıoğlu, MD is a cardiologist at Acibadem Atasehir Hospital in İstanbul, where she works in the Cardiology Department. Her subspecialty area is cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and her clinical work covers heart failure, heart valve disease, rhythm disorders and a range of other cardiovascular conditions. She sees patients in Turkish and English.

Dr. Helvacıoğlu graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2001 and completed her cardiology training at İstanbul Bilim University in 2010. From 2004 to 2010 she worked as a research assistant in the Department of Cardiology at İstanbul Bilim University, Florence Nightingale Hospital. She then completed compulsory service at S.B Hakkari State Hospital Cardiology Clinic (2010–2011) and S.B Pendik State Hospital Cardiology Clinic (2011–2013), followed by a cardiology position at Özel Erdem Hospital Çakmak in İstanbul from 2013 to 2017. She joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2017.

Clinical focus

A central part of Dr. Helvacıoğlu’s practice is cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, which is concerned with planning and supporting cardiovascular recovery in patients with heart disease. Alongside this, she evaluates and follows patients with heart failure, a condition in which ongoing assessment, medication review and rehabilitation planning are typically considered together.

Her areas of expertise also include rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, as well as structural and valve-related conditions, including heart valve disease, aortic stenosis, rheumatic heart disease and atrial septal defect. In addition, she assesses patients with atherosclerosis and low blood pressure. The appropriate approach for each patient depends on the individual diagnosis, existing test results and overall health, and is discussed on a case-by-case basis.

How Dr. Helvacıoğlu works with international patients

Dr. Helvacıoğlu consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as echocardiography or other ultrasound reports, MRI or CT reports, X-rays, laboratory results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the possible options, including rehabilitation needs where relevant. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation or review findings before deciding whether to travel.