Kardiologists

Cardiologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. They evaluate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue, and use tests including electrocardiography, echocardiography, stress testing, and various imaging modalities to establish diagnoses. Cardiology encompasses several subspecialties, such as interventional cardiology (catheter-based treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral vessels), electrophysiology (management of heart rhythm disorders and ablation), heart failure and transplant, and cardiac imaging. Pediatric cardiology is related but distinct, focusing on congenital heart disease in children.

Training follows medical school and a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in cardiology. Many cardiologists pursue additional fellowships in subspecialties and obtain board certification where offered. The scope of practice includes diagnosing and treating conditions such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, hypertensive heart disease, and congenital heart disease in adults. Treatments range from lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy to device therapy (pacemakers and defibrillators) and invasive procedures (coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, transcatheter valve therapies, and ablation). Cardiologists also coordinate with primary care physicians, cardiac surgeons, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists to provide comprehensive care.

In addition to patient care, many cardiologists participate in clinical research and guideline development, contributing to advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease. They practice in hospitals, clinics, and academic centers and may work as part of multidisciplinary cardiovascular teams.