Cardiology

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A diagram of a heart with an ECG indicator; diagrams like this are used in Cardiology.
A diagram of a heart with an ECG indicator; diagrams like this are used in Cardiology.

Cardiology is the branch of internal medicine dealing with disorders of the heart and blood vessels. The field is commonly divided in the branches of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. Physicians specializing in this field of medicine are called cardiologists. Cardiologists should not be confused with cardiac surgeons who are surgeons who perform cardiac surgery - operative procedures on the heart and great vessels.

The term cardiology is derived from the Greek word καρδιά (transliterated as kardia and meaning heart or inner self).

Contents

[edit] The heart

Main article: heart

[edit] Cardiac pacemaker (Electrical system of the heart)


[edit] Basic cardiac physiology

[edit] Disorders of the heart

Main article: Heart Disease

[edit] Disorders of the coronary circulation

[edit] Sudden cardiac death (The abrupt cessation of blood flow, leading to death)

[edit] Treatment of sudden cardiac death

[edit] Disorders of the myocardium (muscle of the heart)

[edit] Disorders of the pericardium (outer lining of the heart)

[edit] Disorders of the heart valves

[edit] Disorders of the electrical system of the heart (Cardiac electrophysiology)

[edit] Inflammation and infection of the heart

[edit] Congenital heart disease

[edit] Diseases of blood vessels (Vascular diseases)

[edit] Procedures done for coronary artery disease

[edit] Devices used in cardiology

[edit] Diagnostic tests and procedures

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

[edit] Cardiac pharmaceutical agents

The followings are medications commonly prescribed in cardiology:

[edit] See also

[edit] External links