Who are Cardiologists?

This lesson is a career connection article. It should help you see some real-world applications of the study of cells.

Career Connection: Cardiologists

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in countries like the United States. This is primarily due to sedentary lifestyle and high trans-fat diets.

Image Attribution: Raman Oza / Pixabay (public domain)

Heart failure is just one of many disabling heart conditions. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart can’t pump with sufficient force to transport oxygenated blood to all the vital organs. Left untreated, heart failure can lead to kidney failure and failure of other organs.

The wall of the heart consists of cardiac muscle tissue. In fact, heart failure occurs when the endoplasmic reticula of cardiac muscle cells do not function properly. As a result, an insufficient number of calcium ions are available to trigger a sufficient contractile force.

Image Attribution: Steve Buissinne / Pixabay (public domain)

Cardiologists (cardi- = “heart”; -ologist = “one who studies”) are doctors who specialize in treating heart diseases, including heart failure. Cardiologists can make a diagnosis of heart failure via physical examination, results from an electrocardiogram (ECG, a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart), a chest X-ray to see whether the heart is enlarged, and other tests. If heart failure is diagnosed, the cardiologist will typically prescribe appropriate medications and recommend a reduction in table salt intake and a supervised exercise program.