How to become a Cardiologist

£40,000/y

avg. starting salary

Thinking about becoming a Cardiologist? You just need to put your heart into it… Cardiologists are doctors who specialise in dealing with the cardiovascular system, including issues affecting the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries). They’re generally found working in hospitals and private health clinics, working with patients who have been referred to them by their GP. The treatment they provide may affect people of all ages, ranging from babies and prenatal patients, through to elderly individuals, who may be reaching the latter stages of their lives. Typical ailments treated by a Cardiologist include angina, irregular heartbeats, heart murmurs, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Day-to-day duties for a Cardiologist could include:

Examining patients to assess their condition
Investigating their medical backgrounds
Carrying out tests, such as echocardiograms and CT scans, to measure the heart’s performance
Performing specialised procedures, such as cardiac catheterisations and coronary angiography, to monitor and treat blockages
Using interventional cardiology to diagnose and treat conditions
Prescribing medication and fitting pacemakers
Following up with patients that require regular care

Aside from dedicated medical training, it will take a steady hand, not to mention a meticulous attention to detail, in order to become a Cardiologist. Cardiology can be an extremely high pressure profession, which will require you to make difficult decisions quickly and effectively. The ability to be decisive, and ultimately keep calm in stressful situations, will similarly be key to your success. And, as many Cardiologists work on call as part of their job, flexibility is absolutely essential. If you’re looking for something that’s more 9-to-5, this might not be the role for you. Other key skills for a Cardiologist include:

Excellent interpersonal skills
Confidence
Manual dexterity
Assertiveness
Persistence
An analytical approach to your work

Cardiologist

Up to £40,000

Senior Cardiologist

Up to £90,000

Cardiology Consultant

Up to £140,000

"Cardiology sits somewhere between medicine and surgery really, which is why I like it so much. It can be incredibly practical and hands-on at times, and I could be performing emergency procedures or fitting lifesaving cardiovascular equipment. But it can also be really mentally complex, taking all my analytical and problem solving skills to help diagnose someone with a rarer condition. The hours can be long, and I often have to work on call, but it’s amazing to have a job that positively impacts so many people’s lives."

Get qualified

To become a Cardiologist, you will need to have completed a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council, as well as a two-year foundation programme which specialises in cardiology.

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