Cardiologist Posted by Shamim , Friday, May 14, 2010 at 1:50 PM, in Labels: cardiologist, career, Medical School, position

Cardiologists are highly trained physicians who specialize in the study and treatment of the heart and blood vessels. They work alongside internal medicine providers, pediatricians, cardiac surgeons and other specialists to care for patients. Physicians trained in cardiology care for people at all stages of life, from newborns to the elderly. Cardiologists focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many different heart and blood vessel conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure, peripheral arterial disease and heart failure. They use standard tests such as electrocardiograms to make diagnoses, and they may use treatments such as balloon angioplasty and pacemaker installation, conferring with cardiac surgeons when major surgeries are deemed necessary.

In addition to caring for patients in their offices and in hospitals, some cardiologists perform research, publish their findings and make presentations at professional conferences. Some cardiologists see adult patients and are knowledgeable about conditions common to adult hearts. Other cardiologists, known as pediatric cardiologists, see children with heart conditions. Neither cardiologists nor pediatric cardiologists perform major surgeries on the cardiovascular system. Instead, these are performed by cardiac surgeons or cardiothoracic surgeons.

Cardiologists may work as solo practitioners or may be one of a group of physicians operating a medical practice together. They may also be employed by hospitals, health maintenance organizations or medical schools. They spend their days in a variety of places, including examining rooms, hospital rooms and conference halls. According to LocumTenens.com, in 2007 the average annual compensation of a cardiologist was $373,089 a year.