[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/what-is-a-cardiologist\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/what-is-a-cardiologist\/","headline":"Celebrate Heart Month: What Is a Cardiologist?","name":"Celebrate Heart Month: What Is a Cardiologist?","description":"A cardiologist is a heart specialist who treats many types of heart and blood vessel conditions. ","datePublished":"2017-01-14","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/01142017_CARDIOLOGIST-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/01142017_CARDIOLOGIST-1.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/what-is-a-cardiologist\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":637,"keywords":["Cardiac catheterization","cardiologist","heart attack","heart disease","high cholesterol"],"articleBody":"If you have signs of a heart problem, your doctor may send you to a cardiologist, or heart specialist.Cardiologists work closely with primary care doctors, as well as heart and vascular surgeons, to care for people with many types of heart and blood vessel conditions.Find out how cardiologists diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems, and what questions to ask at your first visit.What Is a Cardiologist?A cardiologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent heart and blood vessel conditions. To become a cardiologist, a doctor must undergo several years of training, including:Four years of medical schoolThree years of general internal medicine trainingThree or more years in specialized cardiology trainingMany cardiologists also choose to become board-certified by taking a rigorous exam that measures their expertise in diagnostics, patient care, and patient education.What Do Cardiologists Treat?Cardiologists diagnose, treat, and manage many types of heart and blood vessel conditions, including:Coronary artery disease, also known as heart disease, which occurs when the blood vessels that bring nutrients to your heart are blockedHeart attack, which happens when blood flow to your heart is blockedHeart failure, which happens when your heart can’t pump effectivelyHeart rhythm problems, also called arrhythmias, which happens when your heart beats too fast, too slow, or in an irregular wayValve problems, which happen when your heart valves don’t open or close properlyCardiologists can also help you prevent heart disease through risk assessments, which look at your family history, medical history, and lifestyle. If you are at risk for a heart problem, your cardiologist can suggest lifestyle changes that may help lower your risk and recommend regular health screenings to keep an eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other risk factors.Diagnosing heart problemsTo make a diagnosis, your cardiologist will start by talking with you about your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms, and by giving you a physical exam. He or she may also order tests that show how well your heart works, including:An electrocardiogram, which measures your heart rate and rhythmAn echocardiogram, which creates pictures of your heartA stress test, which shows how well your heart works during activityA cardiac catheterization, which can show blocked arteries and other heart problemsTreating heart problemsYour cardiologist will develop a treatment plan based on your diagnosis, as well as your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. Some treatments can include:Lifestyle changes that can help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and manage stressMedications to control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart rate or rhythmCatheter-based procedures that can open blocked arteries or fix heart rhythm problemsIn more serious cases, surgeryHow to Talk to Your CardiologistBefore your appointment, it’s a good idea to write down a list of your symptoms. Your cardiologist will want to know:What symptoms you haveWhen your symptoms startedIf you have chest pain, what your chest pain feels likeWhat makes your symptoms worse; for example, do you feel worse when walking?What makes your symptoms better; for example, do you feel better when you rest?If you have pain in other parts of your body; for example, your jaw, neck, back, arms, or shouldersWhat medications you takeSome questions you may want to ask, even if they might seem simple, can include:What is my diagnosis?Do I need other tests?What can I expect during these tests?What are my treatment options?What are the benefits and risks of each type of treatment?What lifestyle changes should I make?To learn more, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Celebrate Heart Month: What Is a Cardiologist?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/what-is-a-cardiologist\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]