Cardiologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis
and treatment of diseases or conditions of the heart and blood vessels, such as
chest pain (angina), irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, heart
failure, or heart attacks.
Cardiologists administer tests that indicate how well a person's
heart is working, such as a treadmill test (exercise electrocardiogram), and
perform procedures such as cardiac catheterization and angioplasty. They can
further specialize in interventional cardiology (the use of mechanical
treatment methods, such as angioplasty) or electrophysiology (treatments
involving the heart's electrical system) and may also specialize in treating
specific age groups, such as a pediatric cardiologist, who only treats
children.
Cardiologists can be board-certified through the Board of Internal
Medicine, which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Pediatric cardiologists are recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
