Types of Cardiology

• Interventional Cardiology: Interventional cardiology is the branch of cardiology that uses catheters to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions. It involves the use of catheters to insert stents, threaded devices used to keep an artery open, and balloons to open blocked arteries. Interventional cardiologists are also able to place pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.
• Clinical Cardiology: Clinical cardiology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Clinical cardiologists use a range of diagnostic tests, such as echocardiograms and electrocardiograms, to diagnose cardiovascular disease.
• Electrophysiology: Electrophysiology (EP) is a branch of cardiology that focuses on the study and treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities. EP involves the use of specialized diagnostic tests, such as electrophysiologic studies, to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias. It also involves the use of catheters to deliver treatments, such as ablation and implantable defibrillators.
• Nuclear Cardiology: Nuclear cardiology is a branch of cardiology that uses radioactive tracers to diagnose cardiac conditions. This type of cardiology uses an imaging technique called a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan to diagnose coronary artery disease. It can also be used to evaluate the heart’s structure and function.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation: Cardiac rehabilitation is a branch of cardiology that focuses on helping patients with heart-related conditions improve their health. Cardiac rehabilitation programs involve physical activity, nutrition counseling and lifestyle modifications to help reduce the risk of developing cardiac disease or complications from existing cardiac conditions.
• Pediatric Cardiology: Pediatric cardiology is the branch of cardiology that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in children. Pediatric cardiologists use a range of diagnostic tests to diagnose cardiac abnormalities, and they provide treatment for a variety of heart conditions, including congenital heart defects.
• Noninvasive Cardiology: Noninvasive cardiology is a branch of cardiology that focuses on diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases without the need for invasive procedures. Noninvasive cardiologists use a range of diagnostic tests, such as echocardiograms and stress tests, to diagnose cardiac conditions.