What parts of the body does cardiology deal with?

The field of cardiology deals with the heart and its associated structures, including:

- Heart: Cardiology focuses primarily on the heart itself, including its chambers (atria and ventricles), valves, and the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.

- Coronary arteries: These blood vessels supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease (CAD), which includes conditions like atherosclerosis and plaque buildup, is a common focus in cardiology.

- Blood vessels of the heart: In addition to the coronary arteries, cardiology also deals with other blood vessels associated with the heart, such as the aorta (the largest artery in the body) and the pulmonary arteries and veins.

- Cardiac electrical system: The heart's electrical system, which controls the heart rate and rhythm, is also within the scope of cardiology. Conditions like arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and heart block are examples of cardiac electrical issues that cardiologists address.

- Heart chambers: The atria (upper chambers) and ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart are key components that cardiologists assess and treat for various conditions.

- Heart valves: The valves that control blood flow between the heart's chambers, such as the mitral valve, aortic valve, tricuspid valve, and pulmonary valve, are also part of the focus in cardiology.