kardiolog

Kardiolog, or cardiologist, is a physician who specializes in diseases and disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiology covers a wide range of conditions including coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), heart failure, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and valvular disease. Cardiologists diagnose, treat, and prevent cardiovascular conditions and often coordinate care with primary care physicians and other specialists.

Most kardiologs are medical doctors who complete medical school, an internal medicine residency, and a fellowship in cardiology. After training, they may obtain board certification in cardiology, with additional credentials for subspecialties. Subspecialties include interventional cardiology (catheter-based procedures such as coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention), electrophysiology (arrhythmias and devices; ablation and pacing), heart failure and transplant, and pediatric cardiology.

In clinical practice, kardiologs perform patient history and physicals, order and interpret tests such as electrocardiograms, echocardiography, stress testing, Holter monitoring, and advanced imaging. They may perform invasive procedures like coronary angiography and angioplasty, or manage noninvasive treatment including medications, lifestyle modification, and prevention strategies. They also implant devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators and collaborate with other specialists to manage complex cardiovascular disease.

Kardiology settings include hospitals, cardiology clinics, and academic centers. Guidelines from professional societies guide diagnosis and treatment. People are typically referred to a kardiolog for chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting, suspected heart disease, abnormal heart tests, or to optimize therapy in known cardiovascular conditions.