How to Become a Cardiologist: A Guide for Premeds

Embarking on the journey to become a cardiologist is an exciting and intellectually rewarding path. However, navigating the labyrinth of medical education can be daunting. But fear not, this article will serve as your compass, outlining the essential steps to carve your way into the realm of cardiology.

From choosing the right undergraduate major to excelling on the MCAT, navigating through medical school, and ultimately specializing in cardiology, each step is crucial. 

In this guide, we’ll address:

• How to decide if cardiology is right for you (based on skills and salary)
• How long does it take to be a cardiologist?
• What degrees are necessary to be a cardiologist?
• Which certifications are needed to practice cardiology?
• Some tips and tricks for your applications

Let’s begin.

Is Cardiology a Good Fit For You?

There’s no two ways about it, cardiology is one of the most demanding specialties of medicine, and that is a good thing. A cardiologist will often find themselves being the difference between life and death, so they should be prepared. Long hours of study and research are imperative, and finding a good balance between life and study can be hard.

But it’s this same gravity that makes cardiology so rewarding—it's exhilarating to see a patient overcome difficult odds and accompany them on their recovery.

Cardiologists are also always in demand, as heart conditions are one of the foremost causes of death in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 

• Almost 695,000 people died from heart disease in 2021 (i.e. 1 in every 5 deaths)
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) affects about one in twenty adults over the age of 20.
• Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds

So there will be no shortage of job opportunities for you.

In short, if you’re looking for a challenging but rewarding experience, cardiology can be an excellent choice.

What Does a Cardiologist Do?

Cardiologists specialize in diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the circulatory system. And as the cardiovascular system is so vital, any condition can be life-threatening and require immediate treatment.

A cardiologist will be involved in:

• Diagnostics - Using both invasive and non-invasive methods, such as an MRI scan (non-invasive) or catheterizing a blood vessel (invasive).
• Treatment - Ranging from advising lifestyle changes to prescribing medication and even surgical or interventional procedures.
• Preventive Care - Cardiologists also focus on preventive care by advising patients on how to keep a healthy heart. This may involve guidance on diet, exercise, and managing risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Research - Cardiology involves extensive research, even more than other specialties.

What Skills Are Needed for Being a Cardiologist?

Cardiologists need a variety of skills to excel, and they will vary depending on their subspecialty. Some are shared through every iteration of cardiology, like communication skills, stress management, and decision-making.

But other skills are much more specific, like dexterity for surgeons or the interpersonal skills needed when working with children or the elderly.

What’s the Average Salary For a Cardiologist in the US?

All the hard work that goes into cardiology is usually well compensated. Cardiology is among the top ten specialties in annual salary, with a median annual income of $421,330 in the US.

Of course, your salary will depend on the number of hours you put in; don’t expect to be making $500,000 annually while not taking calls during the weekend.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Cardiologist?

As we’ve talked about, becoming a cardiologist is a lengthy process. On average, after college, you’ll be looking at 14–18 years, depending on your sub-specialization:

• Four years will be spent getting your bachelor’s degree.
• Another four years in med-school.
• Three years doing a residency in internal medicine.
• Three more years of cardiology fellowship.
• Spending some more time on a sub-specialty is optional, ranging from one to three years, depending on the subject.

Cardiologist Education: What Degree Do You Need to Be a Cardiologist?

We've already discussed what degrees a cardiologist needs, but let's talk about them in more detail. There are four distinct stages in your race to be a cardiologist, each crowned by a specific degree. They are:

• Undergrad - The first stepping stone on your path will be getting an undergrad degree. The specific field is not really important, though usually you should aim for something tangential to the medical field, like biology or chemistry. This is a perfect time to start working on your profile, get a good GPA, and develop healthy work habits.
• Medical school - After your bachelor's degree, you’ll need your med-school degree. To access med-school you will first have to pass the MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test. This is an extremely demanding test composed of 528 multiple-choice questions, and you should be aiming to get at least 511 right. Many admission boards plainly reject applicants according to their MCAT score, with 511 being a regular cutoff point.
• Residency in internal medicine - After graduating med-school comes a three-year residency in internal medicine. And you must pick internal medicine. If you do your residency in another field, like family medicine, you won't be able to pursue a cardiology fellowship. 
• Fellowship in cardiology - After all your efforts, you’ll be able to apply for a fellowship in cardiology. As a fellow, you'll learn the specifics of the discipline hands-on while being guided by cardiologists.

Which Certifications Are Needed to Become a Cardiologist?

In the US, you must have a medical license before you can practice medicine without supervision. Getting your license requires passing: 

• The USMLE, or US medical licensing examination
• A test administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)

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This USMLE is a three-step test that you’ll probably take during your med-school time:

• Step 1 will usually be undertaken during your second year of medical school. The first step is relatively short, consisting of no more than 40 questions about the basics of medical practice.
• Step 2 is taken during your last year in med school. It’s composed of 8 blocks (similar to step 1), with no more than 40 questions that you’ll undertake during the same day. The test’s scope is much broader than step 1, touching on various facets of medical practice.
• Step 3 is the last stage of the USMLE, and you’ll only be able to participate once you have your medical degree and you’ve passed the previous steps. This part of the test spans two days and is focused on practical medical care. It has both multiple-choice questions and computerized simulations.

Remember that, even though it’s recommended that you start your USMLE during your time at medical school, you can take it after you have your degree. 

And finally, to be a cardiologist, you’ll have to take the ABIM test. This will be focused solely on cardiology. There are two parts to the test: one consists of multiple-choice questions, and the other requires you to analyze data from different cardiovascular tests, such as ECGs.

Let's Get You On Your Way to Becoming a Cardiologist 

Cardiology is a beautiful career, but one that will require the utmost effort and discipline from you. Yet, becoming a cardiologist begins with the challenging step of attending medical school, which is arguably the hardest part. It will take a detailed plan to get yourself on the right track, and we are here to help.

At Premed Catalyst, we specialize in making sure that premed students have access to various options when choosing their medical school. We are with you every step of the way, helping you create a robust case that will make you stand out among the thousands of applicants. Just fill out a quick form and take your first step toward wearing the white coat!

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