I LOVE cardiology!

Especially pediatric cardiology!

I had heart surgery when I was six months old, and I still occasionally have issues with my heart. So, it's easy to see why this subject is so close to my heart.

Get it? 

Anyway...moving on!

What does Cardiac mean?

The word cardiac means "pertaining to the heart." 

Cardiology, cardiac arrhythmias, cardio workout, cardiac arrest: all these things contain the word or a part of the word cardiac, so you know it has to do with your heart. 

What is a Cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in treating hearts and heart problems. They also care for your vascular system, your arteries, and veins.

They specialize in cardiology, meaning they know A LOT about your heart and vascular system. But they may only be able to answer some of your questions about the other things you have going on.

Sometimes, patients will be upset because their cardiologist would not look at the rash on the back of their arm.

 Aren't they a doctor? 

Yes! Yes, they are a doctor. 

They are a doctor who specializes in heart problems. They probably would not have the first clue about what was causing your arm rash. They think hearts, and that's about it!

Doctors, and even nurses, tend to specialize in a field. They get specific certifications and training and enjoy looking at, assessing, and playing detective in THAT PARTICULAR FIELD, not so much any of the others. 

Your cardiologist will know about your kidneys only to the extent that they relate to your heart. 

Even as a nurse specializing in cardiology, I groan inside when someone wants me to look at a rash or give them my ideas on the hormonal changes they are going through. 

I don't know anything about those things. Nursing school covered the basics. Then, I started my career and promptly "forgot" everything I didn't use every day. 

Well, I didn't forget, forget. All those facts are still floating around in my head. But I don't use them often, so I might need to look stuff like that up.

Your cardiologist and other specialists are the same way. 

This is one reason it is crucial to keep track of all the medications and supplements you are taking. Your cardiologist will assess your heart, treat your heart, and prescribe medications for your heart. If your dermatologist prescribed something for you last week, your cardiologist would not know that. It would be up to you to mention that you started a new medication. Then, your doctor can make an informed decision about your best treatment options.

What am I trying to say?

Cardiology is the study of the heart and the vascular (arteries and veins) system. 

Your cardiologist is an expert on everything related to your heart, arteries, and veins. They may be unable to answer all your other medical questions, but they are the go-to person for your heart questions.

Call your cardiologist for any issues you may be having with your heart. 

Call 9-1-1 if you have chest pain or difficulty breathing. The hospital will contact your cardiologist, who can meet you at the hospital if necessary. 

Contact me if you need a medical writer or editor!

Sources:

What Is a Cardiologist? What They Do and When to See One (clevelandclinic.org)

Cardiac | definition of cardiac by Medical dictionary (thefreedictionary.com)

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns regarding medical conditions.