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Cardiology

What is cardiology?

Cardiology is the study and treatment of disorders of the heart and the blood vessels. A person with heart disease or cardiovascular disease may be referred to a cardiologist.

Cardiology is a branch of internal medicine. A cardiologist is not the same as a cardiac surgeon. A cardiac surgeon opens the chest and performs heart surgery.

A cardiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. The cardiologist will carry out tests, and they may some do procedures, such as heart catheterizations, angioplasty, or inserting a pacemaker.

Heart disease relates specifically to the heart, while cardiovascular disease affects the heart, the blood vessels, or both.

  1. shortness of breath
  2. dizziness
  3. chest pains
  4. changes in heart rate or rhythm
  5. High blood pressure