Who is a cardiologist?
A cardiologist is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating all heart, cardiovascular system, and blood vessel conditions. Cardiologists work in the hospital and private practice settings, conducting various tests to diagnose specific cardiovascular diseases. These tests may include the following:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Cardiac catheterization
- Ultrasound
- Cardiac biopsy
- Stress test
- Blood tests
In addition to testing, cardiologists can also prescribe medications and advise patients on lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, weight management, and stress reduction. They are skilled in performing pacemaker implantation and cardiac catheterization. Cardiologists may also teach at universities and engage in research activities within laboratory settings to develop new treatments.
What type of education and training does a cardiologist receive?
Becoming a cardiologist in the United States requires several years of education and training. One must acquire the appropriate credentials and experience to practice as a licensed cardiologist. To become a cardiologist in the U.S., one must first obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While no specific major is required, most aspiring cardiologists choose to study pre-medical courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Once an individual has obtained a bachelor's degree, they need to gain admission to medical school, which typically involves a four-year program of study. The medical school includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. Following medical school, they must finish a residency program in internal medicine, which typically takes three years and provides intensive training in diagnosing, treating, and managing various medical conditions.
After completing a residency program, aspirants must complete a cardiology fellowship. It typically takes an additional two to three years and provides advanced training in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
To practice as a cardiologist in the United States, an individual must obtain a medical license in the state where they aim to practice. In addition, many cardiologists pursue board certification through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), which requires passing a rigorous exam in cardiology.
What are some common conditions they treat?
Cardiologists are also skilled in treating chest pain, heart valve issues, and heart failure.
Here are some common conditions treated by cardiologists-
1. Heart attack: Clinically known as a myocardial infarction (MI), it is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., with one in every seven deaths occurring due to coronary heart disease, including MI. A heart attack is life-threatening; blood flow to the heart muscle is restricted due to one or multiple blockages in the heart's arteries.
When blood flow becomes restricted and oxygen cannot reach the heart muscle, it can cause that part of the heart muscle to die. Blockages occur when plaque comprises deposits, and cholesterol builds up in the arteries over time. Chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, pain in the left arm, sweating, and dizziness are indications of a heart attack.
2. Hypertension or high blood pressure (HBP): Elevated pressure or force of the blood against the blood vessel walls causes HBP. It is considered a "silent killer" since it has no symptoms and can lead to more severe conditions such as a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and peripheral vascular disease.
Heavy smokers, drinkers, and people who eat highly salty foods and do not perform any physical activity are most likely to develop hypertension. Your cardiologist or physician may recommend pressure-lowering medication such as calcium channel blockers and diuretics (fluid pills) to help manage hypertension.
3. Congenital heart disease (CHD): These are congenital disabilities that occur in the heart's structure. The defects may be detected during pregnancy, immediately after birth, or at an older age. Some common defects include a hole in the heart wall, too many or too few blood vessels, blood flowing too slowly or in the wrong direction, and septal defects.
CHDs are treated by medications, non-surgical methods, oxygen therapy, or heart transplants (in severe cases). CHDs diagnosed in adulthood may develop into extreme conditions like heart failure, hypertension, and abnormal heart rhythm.
4. Stroke: The brain depends on blood vessels to provide blood that contains the oxygen required to function. A stroke occurs when blood vessels become blocked or burst open. Strokes are life-threatening and require a medical professional's attention immediately. Some signs of stroke include numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, dizziness, loss of balance, and sudden and severe headaches.
Specialties in cardiology
After completing their residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology, some cardiologists further study for an additional one to two years in the following subspecialties:
Interventional cardiology: These doctors treat cardiovascular diseases by performing minimally invasive and non-surgical, catheter-based procedures such as stenting and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty.
Cardio-oncology: The doctors specializing in cardio-oncology treat cancer patients at risk or with heart conditions. Some patients may also risk heart disease during or after cancer treatment. Cardio-oncologists monitor such patients by conducting imaging and blood tests before, during, and after cancer treatment.
Cardiac surgery: Cardiac surgeons use invasive and surgical methods to treat heart patients. They perform bypass grafting (CABG) surgeries, heart transplantation, and repairing aortic aneurysms. A cardiologist diagnoses a heart condition first and then refers patients to a cardiac surgeon.
Heart failure specialists: Experts in treating heart failure manage the symptoms and tackle the progression of heart failure. They work with a multidisciplinary team of nurses, cardiac surgeons, and heart rhythm specialists to provide comprehensive care for heart failure patients.
What is the difference between a cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon?
Cardiothoracic surgeons perform open-heart surgeries as well as other surgical treatments that need incisions, such as coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve repairs, atrial fibrillation ablation, and heart transplants. A general cardiologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of heart diseases such as hypertension and cholesterol. On the other hand, an interventional cardiologist can undertake operations that include inserting catheters or repairing devices in the body. These procedures may include angioplasty, cardiac catheterization, and ventricular septal defect repair to repair holes in the heart.
Cardiothoracic surgeons are typically one-time healthcare practitioners who only give immediate pre and post-operative patient care. Their responsibility is also limited to performing the procedure and providing immediate post-procedure care. The consulting cardiologist or general cardiologist typically oversees long-term care and discusses follow-up treatment recommendations with the patient.
Suppose you have a heart or blood vessel disease or condition, such as chest traumas, heart defects, or advanced forms of heart disease; in that case, your doctor may refer you to a cardiothoracic surgeon for consultation or surgery. Usually, your physician or cardiologist may recommend that you see a cardiothoracic surgeon if:
- The ongoing treatments and medications for heart disease are no longer effective, or the condition is deteriorating.
- You suffer from a congenital heart problem.
- The non-surgical treatments have not proven to treat your condition.
- For any other reason, the cardiologist thinks it is better to seek consultation with a cardiothoracic surgeon.
When should you see a cardiologist near you, and what to expect?
The following symptoms are signs of heart disease and may require immediate medical attention-
- Chest pain or tightness (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormal heart rate
- Pain in the left arm, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back
- Nausea
- Extreme fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
At your first cardiologist consultation, you can expect your heart doctor to ask about your recurring symptoms and medical and family history of heart disease. You must also bring a medication list and previous test results to your appointment. You can prepare a list of your questions or concerns to ask your doctor during or after your meeting. For further diagnostic evaluation, your cardiologists may recommend blood tests, ECG (electrocardiogram), stress tests, etc.
Why is maintaining your heart health crucial?
The heart circulates blood throughout our bodies, ensuring that our organs and tissues get the oxygen and nutrients required to stay healthy and function properly. You must maintain your heart health as an integral part of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems.
The importance of heart health was also highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as they have established February as American Heart Month to educate the public about heart disease and stroke.
You can achieve good heart health with a balanced diet, physical activity, and regular check-ins with your doctor to ensure there are no problems—and if there are, they can be handled right away. These activities keep your cardiovascular system healthy and lower your risk of developing cardiac diseases that can lead to severe or even life-threatening situations.
Finding the best cardiologists near you in Detroit
Heart diseases can change an individual's quality of life. Therefore, getting a heart health checkup is necessary, especially if you're at risk of heart disease, i.e., you have a family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Zocdoc makes it easy to find the best heart doctors in Detroit with just a few clicks. Simply visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition, location, preferred date, insurance carrier, and plan. You can then browse the list of top-rated cardiologists in your area and choose one based on their available time slots and location. You can filter search results by gender, spoken language, and insurance.
All practitioners on Zocdoc have dedicated profiles containing information about their education, experience, training, specialty, certifications, and affiliations, among other things. Moreover, you can also go through the verified patient reviews to help you choose the right cardiologist near you.
With Zocdoc, you can schedule a consultation or in-person visit on the same day, in the morning, evening (after 5 pm), or even on weekends, depending on your chosen provider's availability. All bookings at Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Prevalence of cardiac complications in Michigan
As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the state of Michigan employs nearly 520 cardiologists. The metropolitan area of Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, employs one of the highest numbers of cardiologists (approximately 210).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that heart disease is one of Michigan's leading causes of death, followed by cancer. In 2018, over 25,000 people died of heart disease, and nearly 5,180 died of a stroke. Almost 19 counties of Michigan had death rates due to heart disease higher than the state average.
According to the CDC, controllable risk factors for high cholesterol levels and heart disease include high blood pressure, smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, and obesity. Certain factors like family history and age are beyond our control. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) also reported that Michigan adults with cardiovascular disease had comorbidities like depression, diabetes, and kidney disease.
In 2020, the BRFSS reported that an estimated 35.2% of adults in Michigan were obese, and 34.6% were overweight. Out of the entire obese population, nearly 37% of cases were female, and 33% were male. In 2019, 35% of adults had high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Data collated by the BRFSS from 2011 to 2020 shows that an estimated 18.4% of adults in Michigan smoke cigarettes, which is higher than the national average of 15.5%. In 2019, it was reported that only 23.3% of Michigan adults met the aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening guidelines, which comprised 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of strenuous exercise and two days of muscle exercises per week.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services[1]
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services[2]
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services[3]
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Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care
