There are many members of the “healthy-heart” team. Primary care physicians often diagnose, treat, and prevent coronary artery disease. They work together with cardiologists who specialize in cardiac problems.
The cardiologists role.
Becoming a cardiologist involves three years of internship and residency training after medical school in internal medicine. After this, an extra three years is spent in cardiology fellowship training. These doctors focus on heart preventing, diagnosing, and treating heart disease. A common misconception is that cardiologists operate on the heart. This job is actually done by cardiothoracic surgeons. A cardiologist will often supervise and interpret the various tests of coronary artery disease and perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are minimally invasive. Interventional cardiologists have further training in performing balloon and stent procedures. Electrophysiologists also undergo extra training in diagnosing and treating rhythm problems of the heart. They also often insert pacemakers and defibrillators.
The rest of the team.
Without nurses, nutritionists, technicians, and other support staff the doctors above could not do their job.
A patient’s family and friends are also critical team members. Their love, caring, smiling and prayers are often the best medicine. The patient is the final and most important member of the team. Without your participation, the hard work of all those above would be wasted.