HeMe #4 | Page 32

CARDIOLOGY Cardiology is one of the most important medical specialties dealing with disorders of the heart. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, disorders of the coronary circulation, heart failure, cardiac arrest, valvular heart disease and vascular diseases. Physicians who specialize in this field of medicine are called cardiologists. Becoming a cardiologist is not an easy task. This process involves many years of training in the medical school and a lot of hard work. But this field of medicine is fascinating to you and it makes you really happy since you save the precious hearts of people. After completing the bachelor's degree in General Medicine, you've earned your doctor of medicine degree, MD, or MBBS. But still not ready to practice medicine on your own. Therefore you must then enter a residency program. If you like to choose your subspecialty as cardiology, you should learn for three years to specialize in cardiology. There are opportunities to select subspecialties such as interventional cardiology and advanced heart failure. After completing your fellowship, you must obtain a license through the state's medical licensing board by providing proof of your education and experience, and passing a licensing exam. After you're licensed, you are able to practice cardiology independently.