Specialization
Cardiology is a specialty of internal medicine. To be a cardiologist in the United States, a three year residency in internal medicine is followed by a three year residency in cardiology. It is possible to specialize further in a subspecialty. Recognized subspecialties in the United States by the ACGME are:
- Cardiac electrophysiology : Study of the electrical properties and conduction diseases of the heart.
- Echocardiography : The use of ultrasound to study the mechanical function/physics of the heart.
- Interventional cardiology : The use of catheters for the treatment of structural and ischemic diseases of the heart.
- Nuclear cardiology : The use of nuclear medicine to visualize the uptake of an isotope by the heart using radioactive sources.
Recognized subspecialties in the United States by the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) include:
- Clinical cardiac electrophysiology
- Interventional cardiology
Read more about this topic: Cardiology