Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with all aspects of the human heart. The cardiologist studies, diagnoses and treats coronary disease, heart rhythm disturbances, congenital heart disease, heart failure, circulatory disease, valve conditions, and electrophysiology. However, the cardiologist salary is not dependent on performing surgical procedures.
Cardiac surgery is a separate field where the cardiac surgeon performs the surgery. The cardiologist also does patient testing and other procedures with salaries based on education, certifications, training, the field of cardiology, geographical location and required medical degrees. The qualified doctor may practice in various fields of cardiology, not limited to one specialty. They are invasive, non-invasive and interventional. Specific specialties of cardiology include:
The Three Main Fields of Cardiology
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INVASIVE
The bases of an invasive cardiologist salary depends on using therapeutic tools instrumental in diagnosing certain heart conditions. As an invasive cardiologist, you’ll insert devices such as stents, balloons, and catheters directly into the patient's heart and/or body to diagnose and treat heart disease. The most common methods of invasive cardiology include:
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NON-INVASIVE
The cardiologist specializing in non-invasive techniques executes diagnostic testing on a patient’s heart to assess their overall heart health. A doctor may treat a patient exhibiting certain heart issues without surgery by altering medications, dietary, and exercise habits. Most times, the cardiologist is prescribing courses of action besides monitoring a patient’s progression and response to treatment.
In the event the patient needs a surgical procedure, the non-invasive cardiologist refers him or her to another specialist. The number of diagnostic tests the doctor must perform on hospital admitted patients has increased. A non-invasive cardiologist salary also may include compensation for performing the following procedures:
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INTERVENTIONAL
The interventional cardiologist performs catheter-based treatments dealing with structural heart conditions. The interventional cardiologist salary is over $200,000 per year; determined by performing angioplasty and radiology. Benefits of using these methods and techniques result in the absence of scars, pain, and extended recovery time.
Also, interventional cardiology procedures such as angioplasty are the best form of treatment for acute myocardial infarctions which requires the extraction of blood clots from clogged coronary arteries and inserting stents and balloons. This procedure requires making a small hole in the main artery.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Cardiologists seeking a career in the United States and Canada require a minimum of 7 years of post-graduate medical education with up to 9 years of post-graduate education. Individuals interested in pursuing a career in cardiology must have a bachelor’s degree and enroll in a medical school program. Following graduation, they complete a residency program focused on cardiology and internal medicine.
They must also become a licensed physician in their state and certified in their field of practice. During your four years in medical school, you’ll learn standard medical terminology, medical or clinical judgment and clinical standard procedures. Many pre-med bachelor degrees include courses in chemistry, math, engineering and/or psychology. Then the residents must submit a passing score on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
Most cardiologists secure employment in the areas they desire whether it be a hospital, private practice, or university. Training requirements following graduation from medical school comprising 6-8 additional years of general internal medicine training and specialized cardiology training through residency. Plus, a cardiology training program that includes:
Expect to spend at least 10 years studying and training to be a cardiologist. On completion, you must pass a certification exam administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Job growth statistics predict jobs for physicians and surgeons in every area of medicine to grow by 14% from 2014 to 2024, offering a basic annual cardiologist salary over $240,000.
INVASIVE CARDIOLOGIST SALARY IN THE UNITED STATES
The average cardiologist salary in the United States is $409,054 as of July 31, 2018, for those doctors specializing in invasive cardiology. However, salaries typically range between $339,481 and $509,906.
Salaries depend on several factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. Net income for invasive cardiologists including bonuses, health insurance, and retirement benefits range between $356,405 to $536,637 with the average total cardiologist salary of $431,811.
NON-INVASIVE CARDIOLOGIST SALARY IN THE UNITED STATES
The base salary for the non-invasive cardiologist ranges from $304,734 to $455,162. Salary experts estimate net income including bonuses, health insurance and retirement benefits to range between $312,904 to $466,836.
Salary ranges may vary depending on several considerations such as education completed, degrees and certifications, additional training and skills, and the total number of years working in this field and in the medical profession.
ADDITIONAL AREAS OF CARDIOLOGY
Every cardiologist receives an education in the disorders of the heart, but they cannot treat all humans the same. Adult and child heart disorders differ requiring different educational and training pathways.
Therefore, a cardiologist who specializes in adult heart disorders should not administer care to children, and pediatric cardiologists do not receive the instruction in treating adults with heart disease. The educational courses do not teach the surgical aspects of each specialty in cardiology-they come under the heading of cardiothoracic surgery.
With the senior population growing daily, the baby-boomers with heart disease call for cardiologists who specialize in “cardio-geriatrics” also known as geriatric cardiology. This is a branch of cardiology combined with geriatric medicine that focuses on the care and treatment of elderly people with heart problems including:
Interested, compassionate individuals with a keen desire for helping people should not hesitate to investigate the career opportunities as a cardiologist. The cardiologist salary range is attractive and the benefits can include health, retirement and a very rewarding job.
CONCLUSION
The heart muscle is the focus of cardiology. As one of the hardest working muscles in the human body, good heart health cannot be over emphasized-and yet, heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the United States.
Heart conditions and diseases related to heart disease call for the number of cardiologists to increase all over the world. As a result, experts expect the cardiologist salary to increase right along with the demand for specialists in the field.
Everyday duties and responsibilities as a cardiologist include continuing education in the field and staying informed of new surgical techniques, medical technology, prescription drugs, physical therapies and innovative diagnostic methods. When dealing one on one with patients, you’ll learn the importance of a compassionate yet scientific approach to treatments and communication of the recommended procedures.
Cardiologists are licensed medical professionals specializing in the maladies and diseases of the human heart and circulatory system. They help inform patients on how they can help heal themselves, prevent future conditions and diagnose those with early warning signs.
Aspiring cardiologists are required to get their bachelor's degree and follow-up with programs offering conferences and continuing education. After graduation, they must complete several years of learning how to practice internal medicine and cardiology by training in a residency program. They must also get a license to practice as a physician in their state and pass a certification exam in their chosen specialty. A practicing cardiologist does the following procedures regularly:
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