A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart diseases. After 4 years of medical school, these doctors have 6 to 8 more years of special training. Some cardiologists work only with adults. Others work only with children.
Your healthcare provider may refer you to a cardiologist if he or she thinks you might have a serious heart problem. Cardiologists help find out if you have a heart disease. They also help decide how to treat it. There are different kinds of cardiologists:
If the best treatment for a problem is surgery, you will be referred to a heart surgeon. Surgeons repair or replace heart valves. They also do bypass surgery. Some do heart transplants.
You may need to see a cardiologist if:
After you leave the hospital and your condition is stable, you may not need to see the cardiologist any longer. Your PCP may provide your follow-up care. He or she can also help you lower your risk of heart. For example, he or she may help you exercise more, lose weight, and stop smoking. PCPs can also order tests and manage health problems not related to the heart.
