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Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons: Who are they and What is the difference?

People often do not know the difference between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. They often confuse one with the other. This article talks about who Cardiologists and Cardiac surgeons are, and what is the difference between them.


Cardiologist

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in the study of heart functioning, disorders, and their treatment. These heart conditions include disorders like heart attack, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, valvular disorders, and heart infections. Cardiologists also educate on habits that promote heart health. They practice privately or even in hospitals. Best Cardiologists in India.

Cardiologist studies each and every part of our cardiovascular system that involves your heart and vascular system. They go through medical school in order to practice it in real life. A typical cardiologist undergoes about 10 years of medical training, at least.

So when do you need to see a cardiologist?



If you have the following symptoms, you should seek a cardiologist:

  1. Shortness of breath: Being unable to catch your breath can be a warning sign of a heart problem and should be addressed with a doctor immediately.

  2. Dizziness: It is the feeling of light-headedness, unsteadiness and can be described as a swirling sensation in the head.

  3. Chest pain: It often occurs when the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen. This condition is also called angina. This pain can sometimes also be felt in the jaw, shoulders, and arms.

  4. Heart Fluttering: You can feel this sensation of heart fluttering in a form of heart palpitations, erratic thumping in the chest, sudden racing of heart, or even the feeling of the heart skipping a beat. This sensation could be a result of a condition.

Cardiologist treatment plans include prescriptions and advice about ceratin medications, lifestyle changes, and dietary changes.



Cardiac Surgeon

A cardiac surgeon is a cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in operating the heart, its structure, valves, and important arteries and veins near it. General cardiothoracic surgeons focus on all of the organs of the upper abdomen, including the lungs, esophagus, and heart. Cardiac surgeons work only with the heart. They do not specialize in the study or diagnosis of the disorder of the patient. When the need arises, the cardiologists do not perform the surgery themselves, and that is when a cardiac surgeon is required.

A cardiac surgeon performs surgery on the heart, aorta, pulmonary vein, and other important structures affecting one’s cardiac health. You generally require a cardiac surgeon to operate on you if you have any of the following disorders:

  1. Coronary Artery Blockage

  2. Heart Valve Disease

  3. Aortic Aneurysm

  4. Heart failure

  5. Irregular heartbeat


What is the difference?

  1. A cardiologist’s role is to prescribe and advise a lifestyle change, dietary change, and/or medication in regards to your cardiac health. On the other hand, a cardiac surgeon’s role starts from pre-surgery counseling to the operation and post-surgery recovery and rehabilitation.

  2. Cardiologists do not involve themselves in big cardiac surgeries. However, they can perform small surgeries like placing stents, pacemakers, etc. Cardiac surgeons specialize in this field of surgery.

  3. Cardiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Cardiac surgeons do not involve themselves in the diagnosis of the disease. Cardiologists suggest the patients’ surgery when required.

  4. Cardiologists are often the primary care physician of the patient and follow on for the overall cardiac health of the patient for longer periods of time. Cardiac surgeons’ role limits to pre-surgery, surgery, and post-surgery recovery.


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