What is Cardiology?

Cardiology is the study of the heart and blood vessels, and a cardiologist makes sure they are functioning well. Patients see cardiologists for many issues affecting the circulatory system, including:

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure
• Heart attack prevention and treatment
• Congestive Heart Failure, where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body
• Heart transplant evaluation and care after surgery
• Peripheral vascular disease, where arteries in the limbs narrow and reduce blood flow
• Aneurysm, or a swelling in the blood vessels
• Coronary Artery Disease, where the blood vessels delivering oxygen and nutrients to the heart become blocked

After performing a physical exam, a cardiologist may order a number of imaging tests in order to get a better understanding of what disease or complication might be causing problems in the heart and blood vessels. Some of these might include:

• An electrocardiogram, which checks the heart's electrical activity
• X-rays to see tissues more clearly
• Cardiac catheterization, where a small tube is directed into the heart to test pressure, oxygen levels, and blood flow

Although some cardiologists provide primary care, cardiologists more typically work as consultants to primary care physicians when a heart issue comes up. Cardiologists do not perform surgery, but they can perform 'interventional' procedures, such as balloon angioplasty (where a balloon is used to stretch open narrowed veins) or stent placement to keep blood flowing.