Pressroom A cardiologist is a physician who is certified to treat problems of the cardiovascular system the heart, arteries, and veins of the body.
Cardiology is classified as an internal medicine subspecialty.
Knowledge of internal medicine and other specialties is required in order to obtain certification. There must be a minimum of 2 years of meaningful patient contact and responsibility. Four months may be taken outside the above areas, subject to program director approval. The level of responsibility for patients must increase with each year of training. After satisfactory completion of graduate education, the physician is allowed to take the Internal Medicine board certification examination.