The heart is a crucial organ that needs expert care. There are many types of cardiologists who specialize in different areas to provide the best care. Dr. Muhammad S. A. Ashraf, a cardiologist at Mercy Health — Springfield Heart House, says cardiology is a broad field with many subspecialties. Each one focuses on specific heart conditions.
General cardiologists are like primary care doctors for the heart. They diagnose and treat common heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure. They also manage heart health, conduct checkups, perform tests, and prescribe medications. If a patient has a complex issue, they refer them to a subspecialist.
Specialized cardiologists handle heart health issues beyond the general scope. Cardiac electrophysiologists treat abnormal heart rhythms. Interventional cardiologists perform minimally invasive procedures. Cardiac imaging specialists use advanced imaging to diagnose heart conditions. Adult congenital heart specialists care for adults with heart defects, and cardio-oncologists focus on heart health in cancer patients.