A cardiologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions.
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. Cardiologists can help diagnose a wide variety of issues, from heart failure to congenital heart defects to coronary artery disease. They also perform preventive cardiology exams, such as electrocardiograms (EKG), stress tests and lipid profiles.
Importance of seeing a cardiologist
Whether you have a personal or family history of heart disease, your primary care physician will probably refer you to a cardiologist at some point in your life. A cardiologist can check your heart rhythm, determine what is causing the problem and help work with your primary care doctor to develop a plan for treatment that will give you the best results.
Specialized types of cardiologists
There are many different kinds of cardiologists, each with special training in a particular area. Some of these specialists include invasive and non-invasive cardiologists, pediatric cardiologists, and interventional cardiologists.
Becoming a cardiologist
The path to becoming a cardiologist is long and complicated, but once you have completed medical school, residency, and fellowship, it can be one of the most rewarding medical careers out there. The rewards are not only in the care of your patients, but in a lifetime of professional growth and advancement that will allow you to have a profound impact on their lives.
Deciding on cardiology
You should decide if cardiology is right for you while you are in medical school, so start thinking about it early on and joining an interest group or club to explore the field. You can also talk to recent graduates and find mentors who can provide guidance along the way.
Becoming board-certified
Once you have made a decision about a specialization, you will need to go through the process of getting board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. This requires completing a three-year hospital-based residency and then a three-year fellowship.
Residency and fellowship
Your first year of residency will likely be filled with rotations that cover a wide variety of medical practices. You will spend much of your time in a hospital, where you can learn the ins and outs of running an emergency room and performing procedures such as cardiac catheterization. In your final year of residency, you will choose a fellowship that is right for you. A cardiology fellowship lasts for about 3 years and provides you with extensive training in the heart. During this time, you will also take the Cardiovascular Disease Certification Examination, which is administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Working as a cardiologist
After you have been board-certified as a cardiologist, you can work in a hospital or private practice as an attending physician. You will usually work with a team of doctors who all share the same goal: to give your patients the best possible medical care. Some cardiologists also teach new physicians in their residency programs. They can also become medical directors at hospitals or other healthcare facilities, or they may work in the academic world by becoming professors at universities.
Continuing medical education
As a doctor, you have to stay up-to-date on medical advances. This is called continuing medical education and involves meetings, conferences, and other events. These opportunities can help you stay current on the latest research in your field and keep your knowledge fresh, which is important for ensuring your patients receive the highest quality of care.
