Cardiologists

What they do

• Administer emergency cardiac care for life-threatening heart problems, such as cardiac arrest and heart attack.
• Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, or disease prevention.
• Answer questions that patients have about their health and well-being.
• Calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
• Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standards to identify abnormalities, using the results of an echocardiogram.
• Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
• Conduct exercise electrocardiogram tests to monitor cardiovascular activity under stress.
• Conduct research to develop or test medications, treatments, or procedures that prevent or control disease or injury.
• Conduct tests of the pulmonary system, using a spirometer or other respiratory testing equipment.
• Design and explain treatment plans, based on patient information such as medical history, reports, and examination results.