A cardiologist is a physician who has chosen to specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and defects of the heart and circulatory system. These diseases or defects may be present at birth or may develop later in life. The cardiologist will evaluate the patient’s condition and after performing several tests The cardiologist will determine if the patient needs medication, surgery, or changes in diet or lifestyle.
Some of the conditions a cardiologist is concerned with are:
Congenital heart defects – Heart defects that are present at birth.
Coronary artery disease – Plaque in the walls of the arteries of the heart.
Valvular heart disease – Diseases that affect the blood vessels of the heart.
Heart failure – A condition that affects blood supply to the heart and the body.
Electrophysiology – A condition that involves the abnormal electrical impulses of the heart, such as arrhythmia.
Education and Training – Before becoming a cardiologist, a student must graduate from an approved medical school. The potential cardiologist is then required to complete a 3 year residency program in internal medicine. 2 out of these 3 years must be spent working directly with patients.
Cardiologist FAQs:
What is a
cardiologist
?A Cardiologist is a physician who is certified to diagnose and treat disorders of the circulatory system and the cardiovascular system — the heart, arteries, and veins.
Are there different kinds of cardiologists?
There are several different categories of cardiologist who specialize in different areas.
When do you need to see a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is usually needed in cases of chest pain or discomfort where the diagnosis is unclear or where specialized medical care is required. A cardiologist is not necessarily needed every time a patient has difficulty in breathing or has chest pain; many patients may be treated quite skillfully by an internist.
Cardiologist Related Terms: cardiology, heart, arrhythmia, veins, arteries, chest pain, heart attack, palpitations, heart rate, ventricular fibrillation, heart disease, stroke, cardiologist
