Cardiologist
Who They Are and What They Do…
A cardiologist is a medical doctor who is certified to treat problems of the cardiovascular system: the heart, arteries, and veins. Cardiology is classified as an internal medicine subspecialty.
Cardiologists Focus:
- Common diagnostic tests include: blood tests, Echocardiogram (ECHO), Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR or cardiac MRI), cardiac stress test, Auscultation (listening with the stethoscope), Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Primarily works in hospitals and clinics and refers out to Cardiac Rehabs
- Cardiologists are not surgeons (physicians to complete open heart surgery are known as cardio-thoracic surgeons) *
Cardiologists start as internists (4 years medical school and 3 years residency) and then complete a 2-3 year specialty fellowship in area of interest. **
Common Cardiac Disorders…
- Angina
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- High Cholesterol