52,272
Cardiologists
100%
Accepting patients
84%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 52,272 cardiologists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (84%). 78% accept Medicare.
Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. They manage conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), valve disorders, and high blood pressure that is difficult to control.
After medical school and a three-year internal medicine residency, cardiologists complete a three-year fellowship in cardiovascular disease. Some subspecialize further in interventional cardiology (stent placement, angioplasty), electrophysiology (heart rhythm disorders), or heart failure and transplant.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. A cardiologist's job often starts with risk assessment: evaluating your cholesterol, blood pressure, family history, and lifestyle to lower your risk before a cardiac event happens.
See a cardiologist if you have chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath with exertion, heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat, a family history of early heart disease, high blood pressure that is hard to control, high cholesterol not responding to lifestyle changes, dizziness or fainting episodes, or if your PCP detects a heart murmur or abnormal EKG.
A first cardiology visit involves a detailed medical history, physical exam (including listening to your heart and checking your blood pressure in both arms), and an electrocardiogram (EKG). Depending on your symptoms, the cardiologist may order an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), stress test, or blood work. They will explain their findings and outline a treatment plan.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · EKG: $200-500 · Echocardiogram: $1,000-3,000 · Stress test: $500-2,000
Cardiologists are internal medicine doctors who diagnose and treat heart disease using medications, catheter-based procedures, and monitoring. Cardiac surgeons are surgeons who perform open-heart operations like bypass surgery and valve replacements. Your cardiologist manages your overall cardiac care and refers you to a surgeon if an operation is needed.
Occasional skipped beats are common and usually harmless, especially after caffeine or during stress. See a cardiologist if palpitations happen frequently, last more than a few seconds, cause dizziness or fainting, or occur with chest pain or shortness of breath. A heart monitor worn for 24 hours or longer can identify the rhythm.
You walk on a treadmill at increasing speeds while hooked up to an EKG monitor and blood pressure cuff. The test shows how your heart performs under exertion and can reveal blocked arteries. If you cannot exercise, a pharmacological stress test uses medication to simulate the effect. The entire visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
Lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and weight loss) can halt and in some cases partially reverse early coronary artery disease. Medications like statins reduce plaque buildup. However, significant blockages or structural damage typically require procedures or surgery. Prevention and early treatment are always more effective than reversal.
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Cardiology visits are covered under medical insurance as specialist visits. You may need a referral from your PCP depending on your plan type (HMO vs. PPO). Tests like echocardiograms and stress tests are generally covered when ordered for medical reasons but may require prior authorization. Cardiac rehabilitation after a heart event is covered by most plans.