Cardiologist
What is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in finding, treating and preventing diseases that affect the heart, arteries and veins. They research, diagnose and treat conditions such as blockages, heart injuries, diseases and keep their focus on other factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. When a patient is referred to a cardiologist by their primary care doctor, they will look for any risk factor that could be harming the heart, such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, poor eating habits, or a family history of heart disease.
What does a cardiologist do?
A patient is typically referred to a cardiologist because a potential problem was detected by their primary doctor. The cardiologist will sit down with the new patient and go over their medical history, check their current physical condition, listen to their heart for any irregularity and talk about any relevant symptoms. They will also perform a series of tests for a more accurate diagnosis, such as X-rays, stress tests, biopsies and blood tests. After the test results come back, the cardiologist can then diagnose any abnormalities, congenital heart defects, or heart and coronary artery conditions they find. Many of these conditions are treated with medications, diet or specific procedures.
There are several types of cardiologists, each specializing in a different area of heart treatment:
Interventional cardiologists: they treat patients who have coronary artery disease, heart valve disease and peripheral vascular disease. They perform angioplasty and stent placements, embolic protection, atherectomy procedures and mitral valve repairs.
Non-interventional cardiologists: they will perform the same tests and exams as a non-invasive cardiologist, but they can also perform minor operations, such as cardiac catheterization (a procedure that locates blocked arteries). If a blockage is found, the patient will be referred to an interventional cardiologist.
Non-invasive cardiologists: they will examine patients, perform cardiology consultations, order and interpret tests and analyses. They will decide the best way to treat patients, whether with medications, lifestyle changes or a combination of both. They also refer patients to a heart surgeon if necessary.
It's worth noting that there are other doctors who specialize in heart problems, such as cardio-thoracic surgeons, but who are not considered cardiologists. Cardiothoracic surgeons operate on the patients referred to them by cardiologists, and have completed a surgical residency program, not an internal medicine residency like a cardiologist. They perform complex surgeries, such as bypasses and heart transplants.
What is a cardiologist's workplace like?
Most cardiologists have an office outside the hospital, but are contractually connected to a nearby hospital. Other cardiologists have an office inside a hospital. Working hours frequently exceed 60 hours a week in a busier practice, and many cardiologists are often on call.