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Cardiology

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Cardiology Practice and Training Guide
LouAnn Hollihan
July 4, 2010
American InterContinental University

Introduction Cardiologists diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system, including the arteries. Cardiologists are not surgeons; doctors that actually perform the surgery are known as cardio-thoracic surgeons and will complete a surgical residency program, where a cardiologist does an internal medicine residency. There are a number of different specialty cardiologists that perform different procedures depending on the amount of training and specialty they have completed (Santiago, 2010). Some of the different cardiologist specialist includes the interventional cardiologist (UAB Health, 2008) that specializes in catheter-based treatment of the structural heart diseases and pediatric cardiologists (UAB Health, 2008). A cardiologist will review medical history and do a physical examination that may include checking your blood pressure, weight, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Cardiologists usually serve as a consultant to other doctors (American College of Cardiology Foundation, 2010). Some conditions treated by a cardiologist are (American College of Cardiology, 2010): * Echocardiogram: sound wave picture to look at the condition of the heart. * Ambulatory ECG: is a recording during exercise to look for abnormal heart rhythms. * Exercise test: is a study measuring the heart’s performance and limits. * Cardiac Catheterization: is a test that a small tube is put in or near the heart to take pictures, to see how the heart is working, check the electrical system, or help in relieving blockage. Conditions also treated by more specialized cardiologists are (UAB Health System, 2008): * Bradycardia: this is a heartbeat rate too slow for the body which is an abnormal heart rhythm. * Hypertrophic

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