The study, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of heart problems, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, and cardiac arrest, is referred to as cardiology. Cardiology professionals may treat patients with long-term heart problems or provide emergency services to people who are experiencing life-threatening situations. Cardiology jobs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own set of educational and training requirements. A person can pursue a career as a cardiovascular technologist, cardiac nurse, cardiologist, or surgeon. Cardiologists usually collaborate to make diagnoses, perform medical tests and procedures, and provide the best care for their patients.
Cardiovascular technologists are highly trained individuals who operate medical testing equipment and assist in the interpretation of the results. Sonograms, electrocardiograms, ultrasounds, and a variety of other procedures may be performed them to help doctors make better diagnoses. Most hospitals and clinics require aspiring cardiovascular technologists to have at least an associate’s degree from an accredited institution, certification from a state or national board, and up to two years of experience as assistants.
Many experienced registered nurses choose to pursue advanced practice credentials and work in cardiology, where they can provide expert care to patients suffering from heart disease. Cardiac and cardiovascular nurses assist physicians in making diagnoses, planning surgeries and other medical procedures, and providing patient follow-up. Nurses are responsible for closely monitoring patients who have had heart surgery and ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible. Nurses frequently provide rehabilitative and educational services to people following procedures so that they can recover quickly and learn how to avoid problems in the future. The majority of nurses enter the profession after completing four-year bachelor’s degrees in nursing, two-year clinical specialist master’s degrees, internships, and comprehensive licensing exams.
Cardiologists are doctors who specialize in the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels in humans. They interpret the results of medical tests and perform physical examinations, making diagnoses and arranging treatment. To become a cardiologist, a person must complete a bachelor’s degree, at least four years of medical school, and up to five years of internal medicine residency. Doctors who want to work in cardiology must usually pass extensive licensing exams and take ongoing refresher courses to keep their credentials.
Cardiology surgeons are responsible for some of the most delicate and dangerous procedures of any medical professional. In both emergency and non-emergency procedures, they operate on the hearts, major blood vessels, veins, and arteries. Because cardiac surgery is such a complex and delicate field, prospective surgeons typically need to complete eight years of post-secondary education, five to seven years of general surgery residency, and up to three years of cardiac surgery residency to be qualified. They must also typically pass a series of extremely difficult certification and licensing exams.