I Need A...Cardiologist
Our "I need a" series is a helpful guide to finding the care you need when you don't know where to start. Today, we're learning how to find a Cardiologist.
Your heart is essential to your health, so it's a great idea to work with a specialist to keep your heart healthy. If you've been diagnosed with heart disease, it's important to take steps to treat and manage your condition. A cardiologist is an expert in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Why Would I Need a Cardiologist?
There are many good reasons to work with a cardiologist as part of your health care team:
- You've been diagnosed with a heart-related health concern like high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease
- You have a family history of heart disease
- You're in your 50's or older (The risk of heart disease increases as you age)
- You have health conditions like obesity or diabetes that increase your risk of heart disease
- Your lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease, including smoking and drinking
- You're experiencing symptoms that could indicate heart disease
Whether you're looking for prevention or treatment, choosing your cardiologist is a big decision. So, before you start your search, let's answer some helpful questions.
What Does a Cardiologist Do?
A cardiologist works with you to improve all aspects of your heart health and collaborates with other providers to provide comprehensive care:
Prevention
Cardiologists can help you understand how to address risk factors like diet and exercise that can help keep you from developing or worsening heart disease.
Diagnosis
Cardiologists can order tests to help you better understand how healthy your heart is and the severity of any heart disease you already may have.
Treatment
Cardiologists can prescribe medication and help develop strategies to improve your health and quality of life. Cardiologists can also refer you to a cardiac surgeon or interventional cardiologist if your condition requires a procedure.
A Word About Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
General cardiologists typically don't perform procedures; they work with other providers to make sure you get the care you need. Depending on the nature and severity of your heart disease, your treatment may include either heart surgery or a minimally invasive interventional procedure. Surgeons and interventional cardiologists may also work together during hybrid surgery, which combines elements of both strategies.
Your cardiologist can help determine if a transcatheter procedure or surgery is right for you. If both types of procedures can treat your condition, you may want to make appointments with both specialists to discuss your options.
What Credentials Should I Look For?
It can be hard to find a cardiologist by looking at credentials alone, but it's a helpful place to start. Knowing that a cardiologist has completed additional training or has been certified by a professional board is a good sign that they have the expertise you are looking for.
Residency
All cardiologists will have completed a general internal medicine residency, followed by at least three years of cardiology-specific training.
Fellowship
Fellowship is additional, focused training after residency. A fellowship-trained cardiologist has completed a specialized training program under the supervision of an experienced mentor.
It's not uncommon for cardiologists to complete more than one fellowship to further specialize in a specific type of care.
Green Flag: Fellowships are a great way to know that a cardiologist has taken the time to develop a deeper understanding of a specific type of heart disease.
Board Certification
This voluntary process demonstrates that a doctor has met rigorous standards set by their peers through a governing organization, or board. These boards are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association. Cardiologists are board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Professional Societies and Organizations
Membership in groups like the American College of Cardiology (ACC) indicates that a cardiologist is active in their specialty's clinical and research communities.
A Word About Top Doctor Awards
When searching for a doctor of any kind, you'll probably come across advertisements for sites boasting Top Doctor lists, or you may find these awards mentioned in a doctor's profile. While many of these awards are legitimate and are based on peer-nominated candidates and vetted feedback, not all lists are created equal. Some are essentially lists intended to promote only the doctors who have paid for the privilege.
Yellow Flag: If you use a Top Doctor list in your search, make sure that's only part of your criteria.
What Else is Important to Look For?
Because the heart plays such a vital minute-to-minute role, any heart condition should be taken seriously. If you're looking to get treatment for existing heart disease, that care can go beyond any one doctor. Cardiologists often work with other heart specialists to coordinate your care. To know that you'll have the help of a comprehensive team, you might want to focus on comprehensive programs and multi-specialty medical centers.
A comprehensive support team can include heart surgeons, interventional cardiologists, imaging specialists, nutritionists, physician assistants, and more.
No matter which cardiologist you choose, make sure to ask about what ongoing support you will have.
Clinical Trials
The field of cardiology is constantly evolving, with new approaches and devices being developed and tested to improve outcomes and quality of life. Clinical trials offer the latest experimental treatments, such as new medical therapies and prevention strategies, driven by cutting-edge research. If you're interested in participating in clinical trials, make sure to include academic medical centers in your search, as clinical research is an important part of what they do.
Green Flag: Because multidisciplinary groups are more likely to be active in clinical trials, you may have access to treatment options that aren't available to the general public yet. Look for a cardiologist who participates in clinical trials and see if you are eligible.
So I Found Some Cardiologists I Feel Comfortable With… Now What?
It's time to start making appointments. Top cardiologists are in high demand, so keep in mind that it can sometimes take some time to get scheduled. When making the appointment, the care team will ask about what you're looking for, so be ready to explain your needs.
Red Flag: While some conditions may require urgent attention, be wary of any cardiologist who immediately pushes you to schedule a surgery or procedure with their group. An ethical doctor will make sure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
During My Appointment, What Should I Ask?
In a word: everything. This meeting is your chance to learn about your condition and treatment options, but it's also your opportunity to learn about the cardiologist: their approach, their demeanor, their experience, and their understanding of your condition. Bring notes if you're concerned about remembering complex medical terms. Here are some helpful questions to consider:
About the Cardiologist
- How experienced are you with treating my condition?
- Are you fellowship-trained? Do you have any board certifications or additional qualifications?
- Who is part of your care team? What specialists do you work with?
- What professional societies do you belong to?
- Are you involved in clinical trials that I might be able to participate in?
About Your Condition
- What are my treatment options?
- What diagnostic procedures would you recommend?
- Are nonsurgical treatments like medications a good option for me?
- Is surgery a viable choice?
- Is a minimally invasive or robotic approach an option for me?
- Will my symptoms get worse without treatment?
- What complications have you seen?
- How much will treatment help me?
Red Flag: No question is silly or useless if it helps you feel more confident about your decision. Be wary of any cardiologist who won't take the time to answer your questions.
Do They Take My Insurance?
Money might not seem important when your health is at stake, but cardiology visits can be expensive. Avoiding another stressful element can help you focus on your health. Nothing is more frustrating than finding a cardiologist who's a great fit, only to learn that your insurance won't cover your visits. You should verify that the cardiologists you're considering accept your insurance, even if their website states they do, and contact your insurance company to confirm your eligibility. Some insurance plans also require a referral, so talk to your primary doctor about what you'll need.
Should I Get a Second Opinion?
Absolutely. Even if you think a cardiologist is perfect for you, a second opinion can make you feel more confident about your decision. It can also help you become better educated about your condition and treatment options. Second opinions can often be done with telehealth appointments, so they may not be as challenging to schedule.
Red Flag: Be wary of any cardiologist that discourages you from getting a second opinion. An ethical doctor will encourage you to get all the information you can and to consider every option.
Word of Mouth
Do you know anyone who works with the cardiologist you're considering? It can be helpful to get feedback from someone who has experience working with them as a patient. Keep in mind that everyone's health circumstances are unique, so their experience won't be the same as yours. But speaking with others can help you feel better informed about the real-world results and can give you some insight into how the cardiologist and their team treat their patients.
Yellow Flag: Word of mouth can also be a great way to find a cardiologist you might not have considered, especially if someone you know had a positive experience working with them. But make sure to then research the cardiologist for yourself.
What Other Factors Should I Consider?
Choosing a doctor to trust with your heart health is a very personal decision, so you should consider what's important to you. If you've reduced your options to a few cardiologists who have convinced you they will provide the best care possible, practical considerations may help you make the final decision. These include:
- Do you want a doctor closer to home? Or is it worth it to travel for your care?
- Do you want to work with a cardiologist who has a relationship with other specialists, you see, to make it easier to coordinate your care?
- Is finding an in-network doctor a priority because of your health insurance?
- How urgent is your health issue? If you had to wait to schedule your appointment for an opening on a cardiologist's calendar, is it worth the wait?
- Am I able to pay for a visit out of pocket if my insurance doesn't cover it?
Once you have settled on a cardiologist you can trust with your heart health, you can work towards addressing the risk factors you can control and getting the treatment you need.
Improving your heart health can be a life-saving decision, and can dramatically improve your quality of life. Choosing the right cardiologist can help feel like your best self for years to come.
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