According to the Cleveland Clinic, these professionals “have experience and expertise in managing symptoms and delaying the progression of heart failure.” They can recommend procedures like heart transplants. Advanced heart failure cardiologists earned a median total compensation of $551,054 in 2020, rounding out the top five sub-specialties.
After you finish medical school, pass your boards, and complete an internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship, you’ll typically start work in a hospital or a private practice. Some essential functions cardiologists perform include:
Tests
This could involve performing a cardiac stress test, which monitors a patient’s heart during physical activity. Alternatively, you may assign your patient to wear a heart monitor, either for a few days or a longer period. Non-physical tests include electrocardiograms (ECG) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which can help identify issues.
Procedures
Procedures can be minimally invasive or more complex. Minimally invasive surgeries include inserting a pacemaker, cardiac catheterization, and performing angioplasty procedures. Complex procedures can include heart valve surgery, bypass surgery, and open heart surgery.