Life as a cardiologist

By Azul Castillo
December 17, 2023

The human heart is one of the most important organs a person needs to survive. Cardiologists take care of your heart and its condition, so you can maintain a longer and healthier life. They can treat or help you prevent many cardiovascular problems.  Working with the human heart takes patience, perfection, and time. So, what is a cardiologist's life like? 

Q: Why would a future doctor choose cardiology over any other area of expertise in the healthcare system?

A: Cardiologists can make a direct impact on their patients' health which makes their jobs feel rewarding. Saving lives, extending the timeframe of their patients, and enhancing the quality of life for their patients all over the world, making their job important and making them just as important. 

Q: How many years of medical training and education does someone have to take to become a cardiologist? 

A: A future cardiologist would need four years of pre-medical education at a college or university, four years of medical school resulting in an M.D degree, three years in training in an internal medicine residency program, and three or more years in a fellowship program for advanced training in subspecialty areas, to become a cardiologist. 

Q: Are there specific courses and/or programs that cardiologists have to participate in? If so, what are they?

A: Future cardiologists must do a three-year residency in internal medicine. Then once completed the internist (doctor of internal medicine) completes three to five years of cardiovascular training, two years of which must include clinical training in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. 

Q: What is the average yearly salary for a cardiologist? Does this have any variation, and if so, how?

A: In the United States, the average annual salary is $544,201. It does vary from where you are located and your experience. 

Q: What does a cardiologist’s weekly schedule look like? How many hours and/or days do they work? How many patients do they attend to?

A: Cardiologists work about 50-60 hours a week or more! They see about 25 patients a day during this time. Micheal G. Clark mentions in,  Day in the Life of a Cardiology PA  that “ I normally see 15 to 20 patients per day. It’s too much for the time they give us considering it is common to have at least one or more complex presentations mixed into primarily routine follow-ups. But that is just the nature of the beast.” Cardiologists are required to always be informed of their patient's status and present when needed. 

Q: What were some sacrifices made to become a cardiologist?

A: Future cardiologists will have to give up their fun weekend plans due to their patients needing constant attention. Good-night rest is something they won't get a ton of due to the long hours of constantly seeing patients and treating them. Being a heart surgeon means your patient's life is in your hands and your responsibility. No time for creativity and getting to know other hobbies and interests since you'll be so caught up on another surgery and need to complete it well. 

Becoming a cardiologist is such an amazing thing that not only saves others lives but makes you a hero. If interested in learning more about cardiologists or being part of the healthcare system here are a couple of options for you to choose from: Types of health care providers.