So you want to be a Cardiologist
Heart disease remains the second leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for more than 20% of all deaths in a given year. It’s possible that you or someone in your life is impacted by a heart-related medical condition. Heart disease is a serious problem worldwide, which makes the job of a cardiologist more important than ever. Stick around, because this week’s blog covers a comprehensive review on the path to becoming a cardiologist!
What is Cardiology?
Cardiology is a branch of internal medicine referring to the study and treatment of the cardiovascular system. This may include any medical conditions that involve your heart and blood vessels. If you’ve watched Grey’s Anatomy, then you’ll likely associate cardiology with surgery, but cardiologists work as physicians or surgeons and are typically employed in both clinics and hospitals.
Your primary physician may refer you to a cardiologist if you are experiencing the following symptoms; shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, high blood pressure, etc. Cardiology is a pretty broad term so let's break down different occupations within the study. Cardiologists are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of heart-related conditions. In doing this, they may order some tests such as EKGs, x-rays, biopsies, blood tests and stress tests. They are also qualified to carry out procedures such as heart catheterizations, implanting pacemakers and angioplasty. The main focus of this blog is about cardiologists but there are also a few other related occupations that you should be aware of. The first is a cardiac (or cardiovascular) surgeon, not to be confused with cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiac surgery involves more complex surgical procedures related to the heart specifically, Cardiothoracic surgeons deal with multiple organs in the chest area, including the heart and beyond.
Work Conditions & Outlook
As mentioned earlier, most cardiologists may have external offices or practices but are typically connected to hospitals. Some cardiologists may have offices within a hospital environment, it all depends. In a typical work week, a cardiologist can work up to 60 or more hours, as they are often on call. They may also be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
For a cardiologist, the average annual salary can span anywhere between $111,000 and $690,000 USD. Categorized as physicians, Cardiologists are among the highest-paid occupational groups. This field is expected to have a 7% growth rate between 2018 and 2028; higher than average.
Education Requirements
The average cardiologist undergoes approximately 10 years of medical training. Following high school, you will need to get a bachelor’s degree. While your degree doesn’t need to be related to medicine, it is recommended that science-related courses are taken to provide early exposure to medical concepts. This will be beneficial because if you wish to continue along the medical path, you’ll need to take the MCAT. After obtaining your bachelor’s degree and passing the MCAT, you will attend a medical school for four years to receive your MD or DO degree. Next, you have to complete an internal medicine residency program (three to four years). The last two steps include completing a cardiac-specific fellowship (three years) and any other necessary board certifications. Some may choose to stop at this point, however, options are available to further specialize through additional fellowships.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-cardiologist
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-cardiac-surgeon
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248935
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/cardiologist/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-cardiologist
About the Writer
Saif Andani is a grade 10 pre-IB student at Erindale Secondary School. He is a passionate learner who enjoys all things STEM. Outside of school, he works as an Assistant Teacher for the Spirit of Math program where he assists in eighth-grade classes. He has taken on leadership roles by getting involved in his school’s DECA club and by starting a successful MEDLIFE chapter at his school. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and biking with his brother and binge-watching TV shows on Netflix! You can follow him on Instagram @saifaandani or connect with him on LinkedIn.
