What Does a Cardiologist Do?

Overview

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in care of the heart and blood vessels. They treat a wide range of conditions. They also help you lower your risk for disease.

What do they treat?

Why would you need to see a cardiologist? They can help you manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You may see one if you have signs of atherosclerosis, blood clots or other blood vessel problems. You could see a cardiologist if you are managing a heart problem you were born with. And they care for you if you have chest pain, a heart attack, a stroke or some other serious issue.

Diagnosing you

To find out what's wrong, your cardiologist looks at a range of factors. They give you a physical exam. They study your health history. They may order different types of tests. For example, you may need to have a CT scan or an EKG. They may want to see how your heart performs when you exercise. Your cardiologist uses all of this info to develop a care plan that's right for you.

Working with you

A big part of a cardiologist's job is sharing info with you. So they teach you about your cardio health. They make sure you know about all of your care options. They explain how these options affect you. They help you during treatment, and give you the support you need as you recover. And they create a plan to help you live a healthy life.

Conclusion

Your cardiologist is a key part of your care team. For more info about cardio health, talk to your doctor.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.