How to become a cardiologist

How to become a cardiologist

Job description: What does a cardiologist do?

The heart is the most important muscle in the human body. In the course of a human lifetime, it strikes an unbelievable three billion times and pumps a volume of 250 million liters of blood through the body. Compared to a high-performance mechanical engine, this is an incredible achievement.

However, certain diseases can cause the heart to lose its capacity. Then there is a risk of serious ailments such as heart attack, coronary heart disease, or heart failure. Unfortunately, this happens more often than some people think.

Specialists who understand the treatment of heart diseases are all the more in demand: cardiologists. They currently have the best chances on the job market because their services are becoming increasingly important given an increasingly older population. Because with age, the risk of heart disease increases exorbitantly.

Since cardiologists are currently in a shortage occupation, their work-life balance is not balanced. Due to a lack of young people, the word density in the profession has increased significantly. Especially since cardiologists usually work in hospitals, which involves shift work and work on Sundays and public holidays. On the plus side of the job, the profile is being able to exercise a very responsible job in which you save lives day after day.

Cardiologist duties and responsibilities

In his daily routine, a cardiologist treats congenital and acquired malformations in the area of ​​the heart and the nearby blood vessels.

These include diseases such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Angina pectoris
  • Stroke
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Inflammation of the heart muscle

The procedure for an examination always follows a precise scheme. In the anamnesis, the cardiologist asks the patient about his or her acute complaints, the medication he has taken, previous illnesses, previous operations, and illnesses.

He then initiates the relevant investigations. Sometimes it is enough to take your pulse and blood pressure and listen to your heart. In the case of complex clinical pictures, cardiologists also do, for example, an ultrasound or a cardiac catheter examination or arrange for an EKG.

Once the diagnosis has been made, the cardiologist initiates the appropriate treatment. This is often done with medication, in other cases operations are necessary.

Education: How do you become a cardiologist?

The path to becoming a cardiologist takes a long breath. The prerequisite for working as a cardiologist is a completed medical degree. However, it is not that easy to get a place at university. Every year around four times as many applicants apply in USA as there are places available.

This extends over 12 semesters. In the first few years these subjects are mainly on the curriculum:

  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology

After the fourth semester, the so-called preclinical part of medical studies ends with the first medical examination. The clinical part of the course follows. Now it is specifically a matter of diagnosing and treating diseases.

The curriculum now includes the following areas:

  • General medicine
  • Ophthalmology
  • Surgery
  • Dermatology
  • Human genetics
  • Internal Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Orthopedics
  • Pathology

The practical year follows in the eleven and twelve semesters, which is completed in the hospital in the areas of internal medicine, surgery, and in a field of your choice. Then the medical studies conclude with the second part of the medical examination.

This is followed by a specialist course in internal medicine. With the focus on cardiology, specialist training lasts a total of six years. This in turn is concluded with an examination.

Employer: Who is looking for cardiologists

Cardiologists usually work in hospitals or rehabilitation centers. But there is also the possibility of employment in larger practices, or of setting up your practice.

Salary: How much does a cardiologist make?

The forms of work are extremely different. Also, as in other professions, incomes differ according to region, experience, and size of the employer.

Map of cardiologist salaries

The darker areas on the map show where cardiologists earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Map of cardiologist salaries

Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $183,000
Median Annual Salary: $343,000
Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $473,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Entry Opportunities: The Prospects for Cardiologists

Cardiologists have no reason to fear the future. On the contrary, cardiologists are among the shortage occupations. So if you plan to study medicine today, you will never have to look long for a job later. This applies to all areas in which cardiologists can work: in the clinic, in private practice, and rehabilitation centers.

Application: How do cardiologists score

The main requirements for a cardiologist include:

  • Degree
  • Completed specialist training
  • Empathy
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Attention
  • The ability to simply reproduce complex issues
  • A high level of diagnostic competence
  • The ability to think outside the box
  • Resilience
  • Stress resistance
  • Power of decision

Career: The development opportunities as a cardiologist

The career path for cardiologists in private practice follows the following process:

  • Education
  • Practical year in the hospital
  • Training to become a specialist
  • Independence

The career path for cardiologists in the clinical field follows this pattern:

  • Education
  • Practical year in the hospital
  • Training to become a specialist
  • Senior physician
  • Chief doctor

Cardiologist resume template

A convincing career alone does not guarantee an invitation to a personal interview. Essential to use a suitable medical resume designs with which you can present your qualifications in a visually appealing way and significantly increase your chances of success.

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How to become a cardiologist
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How to become a cardiologist
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Are you contemplating a career as a cardiologist? Review a cardiologist: job description, educational requirements, skills, salary, qualifications.
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