The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body, yet heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiologists are at the forefront of this issue by diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular conditions, playing a crucial role in patient care.
Rising rates of heart disease combined with a shortage of healthcare providers in the US underscore the need for aspiring physicians to step into this critical field. St. George’s University (SGU) is the largest source of physicians licensed in the United States—more than any other medical school in the world.1 By training the next generation of doctors, including future cardiologists, SGU School of Medicine is helping to address this shortage.
So, why does heart health matter and what does it take to become a cardiologist?
Why heart health matters
The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to every organ, but when heart health is compromised, it can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. It accounts for one in five deaths and claimed over 702,880 lives in 2022.
As the American Heart Association explains, heart disease includes numerous problems, but most are related to atherosclerosis, or the condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through, including to your heart.
While some heart conditions are hereditary, many are caused by modifiable risk factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and unmanaged stress. The good news is that heart disease can often be prevented through proactive lifestyle choices, including a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, quitting smoking, and scheduling regular check-ups to monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Taking all of this into consideration, cardiology is a field ripe for impact from aspiring physicians who want to make a difference in the heart health of their patients.
Cardiology as a specialty
Cardiologists are specialized physicians who diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases related to the heart and blood vessels. Their expertise is critical in managing a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, from high blood pressure and arrhythmias to heart disease to life-threatening heart attacks and heart failure.
A cardiologist’s responsibilities vary depending on their area of expertise but often include:
educating patients on the risks and preventive measures Various subspecialties in cardiology include interventional cardiology, heart failure and transplant cardiology, and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. To learn more about cardiology subspecialties and what a cardiologist does, read “What Is a Cardiologist? Heart Doctors & Specialists Explained.” These responsibilities and specializations are critical to enhancing the cardiac health of their patients, especially when it comes to preventing and managing heart disease. Cardiology is a highly specialized field, requiring extensive education and training. The journey to become an MD begins with a four-year medical program, where students gain foundational medical knowledge and prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which is necessary for physician licensure. Toward the end of medical school, students must apply for residency programs. After earning their medical degree, aspiring cardiologists complete a three-year internal medicine residency, which qualifies them for board certification in internal medicine—a required step before pursuing certification in cardiology or its subspecialties. To specialize in cardiology, physicians must then complete a three-year cardiovascular disease fellowship, with additional subspecialty training requiring another one to two years. In total, mastering the complexities of the heart requires a decade or more of rigorous education and hands-on training. SGU has helped over 23,000 graduates become doctors, including cardiologists.2 Take Adam Bierzynski, MD ’11, an interventional cardiologist in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Bierzynski was able to delve deeper in his interest in cardiology and cardiac surgery as a clinical student at some of SGU’s 75+ affiliated hospitals and health systems. “Cardiology piqued my interest most throughout my clinical rotations. Once within cardiology training, the allure of interventional cardiology was too much to ignore,” Dr. Bierzynski says. “The ability to place a stent in someone’s artery who is having a heart attack and have them walk out as early as the next day with almost no damage done is truly one of the most rewarding feelings in medicine.” In combination with Dr. Bierzynski’s hard work and perseverance, an SGU medical education helped him reach where he is today. “Attending SGU was a fantastic experience,” says Dr. Bierzynski. “Coupled with a diverse student body and accessible faculty, I can truly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SGU and would recommend it to anyone considering applying.” Start your journey to becoming an MD. 1 According to FSMB physician licensure data, 2023 2 Based on the number of students who have completed the Doctor of Medicine program from 1981-2024.
How to become a cardiologist
Cardiology your passion? We can help
What is a Cardiologist? Their Role in Preventing and Treating Heart Disease
The heart is one of the most vital organs in the human body, yet heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiologists are at the forefront of this issue by diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular conditions, playing a crucial role in patient care.
Rising rates of heart disease combined with a shortage of healthcare providers in the US underscore the need for aspiring physicians to step into this critical field. St. George’s University (SGU) is the largest source of physicians licensed in the United States—more than any other medical school in the world.1 By training the next generation of doctors, including future cardiologists, SGU School of Medicine is helping to address this shortage.
So, why does heart health matter and what does it take to become a cardiologist?
Why heart health matters
The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to every organ, but when heart health is compromised, it can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. It accounts for one in five deaths and claimed over 702,880 lives in 2022.
As the American Heart Association explains, heart disease includes numerous problems, but most are related to atherosclerosis, or the condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through, including to your heart.
While some heart conditions are hereditary, many are caused by modifiable risk factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and unmanaged stress. The good news is that heart disease can often be prevented through proactive lifestyle choices, including a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, quitting smoking, and scheduling regular check-ups to monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Taking all of this into consideration, cardiology is a field ripe for impact from aspiring physicians who want to make a difference in the heart health of their patients.
Cardiology as a specialty
Cardiologists are specialized physicians who diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases related to the heart and blood vessels. Their expertise is critical in managing a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, from high blood pressure and arrhythmias to heart disease to life-threatening heart attacks and heart failure.
A cardiologist’s responsibilities vary depending on their area of expertise but often include:
educating patients on the risks and preventive measures Various subspecialties in cardiology include interventional cardiology, heart failure and transplant cardiology, and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. To learn more about cardiology subspecialties and what a cardiologist does, read “What Is a Cardiologist? Heart Doctors & Specialists Explained.” These responsibilities and specializations are critical to enhancing the cardiac health of their patients, especially when it comes to preventing and managing heart disease. Cardiology is a highly specialized field, requiring extensive education and training. The journey to become an MD begins with a four-year medical program, where students gain foundational medical knowledge and prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which is necessary for physician licensure. Toward the end of medical school, students must apply for residency programs. After earning their medical degree, aspiring cardiologists complete a three-year internal medicine residency, which qualifies them for board certification in internal medicine—a required step before pursuing certification in cardiology or its subspecialties. To specialize in cardiology, physicians must then complete a three-year cardiovascular disease fellowship, with additional subspecialty training requiring another one to two years. In total, mastering the complexities of the heart requires a decade or more of rigorous education and hands-on training. SGU has helped over 23,000 graduates become doctors, including cardiologists.2 Take Adam Bierzynski, MD ’11, an interventional cardiologist in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Bierzynski was able to delve deeper in his interest in cardiology and cardiac surgery as a clinical student at some of SGU’s 75+ affiliated hospitals and health systems. “Cardiology piqued my interest most throughout my clinical rotations. Once within cardiology training, the allure of interventional cardiology was too much to ignore,” Dr. Bierzynski says. “The ability to place a stent in someone’s artery who is having a heart attack and have them walk out as early as the next day with almost no damage done is truly one of the most rewarding feelings in medicine.” In combination with Dr. Bierzynski’s hard work and perseverance, an SGU medical education helped him reach where he is today. “Attending SGU was a fantastic experience,” says Dr. Bierzynski. “Coupled with a diverse student body and accessible faculty, I can truly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SGU and would recommend it to anyone considering applying.” Start your journey to becoming an MD. 1 According to FSMB physician licensure data, 2023 2 Based on the number of students who have completed the Doctor of Medicine program from 1981-2024.
How to become a cardiologist
Cardiology your passion? We can help
