Cardiologists

Key Responsibilities

• Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
• Prescribe heart medication to treat or prevent heart problems.
• Design and explain treatment plans, based on patient information such as medical history, reports, and examination results.
• Perform minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as implanting pacemakers and defibrillators.
• Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast-enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.
• Talk to other physicians about patients to create a treatment plan.
• Monitor patients' conditions and progress, and reevaluate treatments, as necessary.
• Diagnose cardiovascular conditions, using cardiac catheterization.
• Inject contrast media into patients' blood vessels.
• Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
• Diagnose medical conditions of patients, using records, reports, test results, or examination information.
• Calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
• Monitor patient progress following cardiac surgery.
• Conduct research to develop or test medications, treatments, or procedures that prevent or control disease or injury.
• Supervise or train cardiology technologists or students.
• Administer emergency cardiac care for life-threatening heart problems, such as cardiac arrest and heart attack.
• Conduct tests of the pulmonary system, using a spirometer or other respiratory testing equipment.
• Answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being.
• Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, or disease prevention.
• Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standards to identify abnormalities, using the results of an echocardiogram.
• Order medical tests, such as echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and angiograms.
• Perform vascular procedures, such as balloon angioplasty and stents.
• Recommend surgeons or surgical procedures.
• Observe ultrasound display screen, and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, and cerebral circulation.
• Conduct exercise electrocardiogram tests to monitor cardiovascular activity under stress.
• Obtain and record patient information, including patient identification, medical history, and examination results.