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How to become an Interventional Cardiologist?

Posted by Callie Torres
January 30, 2025

Interventional cardiologists are highly specialized physicians dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex cardiovascular conditions through minimally invasive procedures. These medical experts undergo extensive training including and beyond medical school, including a three-year residency in internal medicine, followed by a three-year fellowship in cardiology, and an additional one to two year fellowship in interventional cardiology. Their work often involves performing intricate procedures such as angioplasty, stent placement, and other catheter based treatments to manage heart disease. With their advanced skill set and cutting edge techniques, interventional cardiologists play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine. In this article we will discuss what a interventional cardiologist is, what they do, the training steps to become an interventional cardiologist, the difference between an interventional cardiologist and regular cardiologist, when patients should see an interventional cardiologist, their salary, and more.

Quick Navigation Links + FAQs

  1. What is an Interventional Cardiologist?
  2. What do Interventional Cardiology specialists do? 
  3. Steps to become an Interventional Cardiology doctor?
  4. Interventional cardiologist vs cardiologist?
  5. When should you see an Interventional Cardiologist?
  6. Interventional Cardiology salary
  7. Length of education and training to become Interventional Cardiologist?
  8. Are Interventional Cardiologists surgeons?
  9. Do Interventional Cardiologists use stents?
  10. Most common procedure performed by Interventional Cardiologists?
  11. Getting started in Medicine

What is an Interventional Cardiologist?

An Interventional Cardiologist is a specialized physician who focuses on diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases using minimally invasive procedures. These procedural techniques involve the use of catheters and small tools inserted through the blood vessels to address issues within the heart and surrounding vessels. Common procedures performed by interventional cardiologists include angioplasty (deploying a balloon in a vessel), stent placement, and atherectomy (removal of a clot), which all aim to open up blocked or narrowed arteries and restore optimal blood flow. These specialists play a critical role in managing patients with heart diseases, often working in cardiac catheterization labs to carry out these life saving interventions.

For someone interested in medical school, becoming an Interventional Cardiologist requires a significant commitment to education and training. After completing a medical degree, one must undergo a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in cardiology, and then further sub-specialization with an additional fellowship in interventional cardiology. This extensive training, which can take over a decade, leaves physicians with the advanced skills needed to perform intricate and delicate procedures. However, the rewards are profound as interventional cardiologists frequently make immediate, dramatic impacts on their patients’ health, often in emergencies or life-threatening situations, providing both challenge and fulfillment in their professional careers.

What do Interventional Cardiologists do?

Interventional Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases using minimally invasive techniques. They perform a variety of operations, including angioplasty, where a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, and stenting, where a mesh tube is placed to keep the artery open. They also conduct atherectomy procedures to remove plaque from arterial walls and perform complex interventions such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to replace narrowed aortic valves. Additionally, they are skilled in the placement of devices like pacemakers and defibrillators to manage heart rhythm disorders.

In the clinical setting, interventional cardiologists handle a range of responsibilities, starting with patient consultations where they take detailed medical histories and perform physical examinations to help assess cardiovascular health. They interpret various diagnostic tests, including echocardiograms, stress tests, and Holter monitors, to diagnose heart conditions. They also analyze lab reports, such as blood tests for cardiac enzymes and lipid profiles, to guide treatment plans. Moreover, they review imaging studies like CT scans and MRIs to evaluate heart function and structure. They may perform in office procedures such as diagnostic catheterizations to determine the severity of coronary artery disease and non-invasive tests like stress tests to assess heart performance under physical exertion. By combining advanced procedural skills with comprehensive patient management, interventional cardiologists play a crucial role in both acute interventions and long-term cardiovascular care.

Steps to becoming an Interventional Cardiologist

Becoming an Interventional Cardiologist involves a series of rigorous educational and training steps that take at least 15 years. First, one must complete a bachelor’s degree, typically focusing on pre-medical courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Following undergraduate studies, the next step is to attend and graduate from medical school, which usually takes four years and consists of both classroom-based instruction and clinical rotations in various medical specialties.

After obtaining a medical degree, aspiring cardiologists must complete a three-year residency program in internal medicine. This residency provides hands-on experience in managing a wide range of medical conditions under supervision. Upon completion of the internal medicine residency, the next step is a three-year fellowship in general cardiology. This specialized training covers the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including advanced diagnostic techniques and cardiac catheterization.

Following general cardiology training, an additional one to two year fellowship in interventional cardiology is required. This advanced fellowship focuses specifically on mastering catheter-based interventions such as angioplasty and stenting. After completing all required training, one must obtain board certification in both general cardiology and interventional cardiology by passing rigorous exams administered by medical boards like the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).

Finally, continuing education is crucial to maintaining certification and staying current with advancements in the field. This involves engaging in ongoing continuing medical education (CME) and participating in periodic assessments and professional development activities.

These comprehensive steps ensure that interventional cardiologists are exceptionally well-prepared to provide advanced cardiac care through both medical management and minimally invasive procedures.

interventional-cardiology-stent

Interventional cardiologist vs cardiologist

A Cardiologist, often referred to as a general cardiologist, is a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. They manage a wide range of heart conditions, from hypertension and arrhythmias to heart failure and coronary artery disease. This type of cardiologist focuses on preventive care, medical management with medication, lifestyle modifications, and performing non-invasive tests such as echocardiograms, stress tests, and Holter monitor studies to monitor heart health and guide treatment plans. They play a key role in coordinating with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care.

An Interventional Cardiologist, on the other hand, is a subspecialist within the field of cardiology who undergoes additional training to perform advanced, minimally invasive procedures to treat cardiovascular conditions. These procedures include angioplasty, where blocked arteries are opened using a balloon, stent placement to keep arteries open, and atherectomy to remove plaque from arterial walls. Interventional cardiologists also handle complex procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and device implantation for managing heart rhythm disorders. Their role is crucial in acute settings, such as during a heart attack, where they can provide life-saving interventions to quickly restore blood flow.

The primary difference between a cardiologist and an interventional cardiologist lies in their scope of practice and training. While both are dedicated to treating heart diseases, general cardiologists focus on the overall management of cardiac health through medical treatments and lifestyle changes. In contrast, interventional cardiologists possess specialized skills to perform invasive procedures that address more severe or immediate cardiovascular issues. Interventional cardiologists must complete additional fellowship training and are adept at using catheters and other instruments to treat conditions within the heart and blood vessels, often in urgent or emergency situations. Both types of cardiologists work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care, but their roles complement each other, offering a full spectrum of cardiovascular treatment.

When should you see an Interventional Cardiologist?

1. Acute Coronary Syndrome: Patients who experience symptoms of a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or unstable angina may require immediate intervention. An interventional cardiologist can perform urgent procedures like angioplasty and stenting to restore blood flow to the heart muscle quickly.

2. Chronic Coronary Artery Disease: For patients with significant blockages in their coronary arteries, which are causing symptoms like chest pain (angina), intervention may be needed. Procedures such as angioplasty or atherectomy can help relieve these blockages and improve blood flow.

3. Peripheral Artery Disease: If patients have narrowed or blocked arteries in their legs, arms, or other areas, an interventional cardiologist can perform procedures to clear these blockages and improve circulation, hence preventing complications like critical limb ischemia.

4. Heart Valve Disorders: Conditions like severe aortic stenosis may require intervention. Procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offer a less invasive option than traditional open-heart surgery.

5. Arrhythmias: While electrophysiologists primarily handle complex arrhythmias, an interventional cardiologist may implant devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators to manage these conditions.

In all these situations, interventional cardiologists provide critical expertise and procedural skills, working closely with general cardiologists and other healthcare providers to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Interventional Cardiology salary

The salary of interventional cardiologists can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, and type of practice. According to Cardiovascular business,  interventional cardiologists in the United States have average annual earnings around $527,00, although this figure can range widely. For instance, salaries in high-demand urban areas may be higher compared to rural settings. Additionally, interventional cardiologists with extensive experience and subspecialty expertise might command higher salaries. According to the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), median incomes can exceed $700,000 annually, particularly in private practice settings. These variances reflect the complexity and skill required in the field, as well as the critical role these specialists play in healthcare.

Some interventional cardiologists work in academic medicine (associated with a teaching hospital), and their salaries vary based on their title and years of experience. According to AAMC  (American Association of Medical Colleges), assistant professors in interventional cardiology make an average of $446,369, while associate professors make $494,823, and full professors make an average of $510,834.

How long of education and training does it take to become an Interventional Cardiologist?

Becoming an interventional cardiologist typically requires about 15 to 16 years of education and training following high school. This includes four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, three years of internal medicine residency, three years of general cardiology fellowship, and one to two years of interventional cardiology fellowship. This extensive training ensures that interventional cardiologists are well-equipped to perform advanced, minimally invasive procedures to treat cardiovascular conditions.

Are interventional cardiologists considered surgeons?

Interventional cardiologists are not considered surgeons, although they do perform minimally invasive procedures to treat cardiovascular conditions. Unlike cardiac surgeons, who perform open-heart surgeries, interventional cardiologists use catheter-based techniques, such as angioplasty and stenting, to address blockages and other issues within the heart and blood vessels.

interventional-cardiology-procedure(1)

Do Interventional Cardiologists do stents?

Yes, interventional cardiologists commonly perform procedures to place stents. Stents are small, mesh-like tubes that are inserted into narrowed or blocked coronary arteries to help keep them open and improve blood flow. This procedure is typically done using a catheter-based technique called angioplasty.

What is the most common procedure performed by Interventional Cardiologists?

The most common procedure performed by interventional cardiologists is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty. This procedure often includes the placement of stents to open up blocked or narrowed coronary arteries and restore proper blood flow to the heart. PCI is a minimally invasive procedure and is commonly used to treat conditions like coronary artery disease

How to get started in Medicine?

Now that you know more about Interventional Cardiology and the tremendous amount of education and training it takes to become an Interventional Cardiologist, you may want to contact admissions at an accredited medical school like The University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Click this link  for more information about our med school. To apply, click this link.

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Posted by Callie Torres

Callie Torres is a resident physician working at a top tier institute in the Midwest. She is a freelance health and medical writer as well as an author of many peer reviewed medical articles. She additionally serves as a Captain in the United States Air Force.

Topics: Feature Medical Practice

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