A cardiac surgeon is a highly trained and licensed physician who performs various surgical procedures on human hearts. He or she performs delicate operations with the help of other surgeons and nurses, using precision tools and robotic equipment. A cardiac surgeon typically performs operations by appointment, though in life-threatening situations, he or she may be forced to perform immediate, emergency surgery. The majority of surgeons work for large general hospitals and heart centers, though some work in private surgical practices.
Surgeons treat people with birth defects as well as those who have developed heart problems as a result of age, diet, cancer, or disease. He or she may run tests to see if there are any physical abnormalities or functional issues, then consult with the patient and other doctors about the results to see if invasive surgery is necessary. The cardiac surgeon performs procedures with extreme caution, ensuring the patient’s safety to the best of his or her ability. The surgeon and operating room nurses frequently monitor the patient’s vital signs and overall condition after a procedure to ensure that the surgery was successful.
Some cardiac surgeons focus on specific patient groups or procedures. Infants, children, and teenagers are the primary patients of a pediatric cardiac surgeon. He or she must have a high level of expertise in the development of young people’s hearts and organs. Another surgeon may choose to focus on a specific procedure, such as open heart surgery or heart transplants. Artificial hearts, pacemakers, and other implants are all familiar to some professionals.
A person must first obtain a bachelor’s degree, usually in pre-medical studies, then complete a four-year doctoral program at an accredited medical school, a yearlong internship at a hospital, and a seven- to ten-year residency. The final two to three years of a new surgeon’s residency are devoted solely to performing supervised heart surgeries and procedures. A new cardiac surgeon must take an extensive licensing exam administered by a nationally recognized governing organization after completing a residency.
Because of the rapid advancements in medical technology and surgical procedures, cardiac surgeons must participate in continuing education and keep up with medical news and journals. With a growing elderly population and the occurrence of new diseases and cancers, there is a high demand for skilled surgeons. Many pieces of modern screening and operative machinery require surgeons to program equipment and interpret data, so those with extensive computer expertise are in high demand.