cardiologist

A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiologists manage conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, congenital heart defects, and hypertension-related heart conditions. They assess symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue, via history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing.

Education and training: After earning a medical degree, a cardiologist completes a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in cardiology. They may pursue subspecialty fellowships such as interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure and transplant, or pediatric cardiology. In many countries, board certification is required to practice as a cardiologist.

Responsibilities and procedures: Cardiologists interpret tests such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms; perform or order imaging and functional tests, such as exercise or pharmacologic stress testing, cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography. They may perform interventional procedures, including coronary angioplasty and stent placement, and implant pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Electrophysiologists treat arrhythmias with ablation or device therapy. Subspecialists may focus on heart failure management, congenital heart disease, or vascular conditions.

Work settings and relationships: Cardiologists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and academic centers; they collaborate with primary care physicians, surgeons, radiologists, and nurses. Patient education and risk-factor modification, such as managing cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking cessation, exercise, and diet, are core components of the practice. The term 'cardiology' distinguishes non-surgical heart care from cardiac surgery, which is performed by cardiac surgeons.