Heart related specialities

[Leukocyte]

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I find the heart (and the cardiovascular system) fascinating, and I would like to specialize in an area that will allow me to study, research, and treat "cardiac disorders". I know Cardiology comes in mind, but frankly I do not want to go through 3 years of IM. Following pt.s and calling consults for LONG periods of time, without much change in the pt.'s overall health is not my cup of tee. I do not mind working long hours, or getting a "poor-man's salary", as long as I am doing what I like: TREATING (I repeat, T-R-E-A-T-I-N-G) cardiac disorders.

Are there any specialities that involve diagnosing AND treating cardiac disorders besides Cardiology. How are they different/similar to Cardiology?

Thank You

 

[lf777]

Hi

Unfortunately there's not much you can do to be a cardiologist or a cardiac surgeon without having to get through long residencies. I think you sound more like a interventionist or a surgeon, who like to see immediate results. To achieve this, residency is the only way.

lf

 

[beezar]

How about cardiovascular anesthesia? 4 yrs anesthesia + 1 yr cardiac fellowship. You really immerse yourself in cardiac physiology and manipulate it using pharmacology. And when the patient is out of the OR and into the SICU (most of the time), you don't have to do the painful follow up, deal with all the complications, etc.

But interventional cardiology may be what you want... you do make a significant impact in treating a patient. It's just ridiculously competitive to get into, and internal medicine is painful as hell (my opinion...)