What does a cardiologist specialize in treating?

A cardiologist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the heart and the blood vessels. They primarily focus on the cardiovascular system, which comprises the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries, and its various functions. Cardiologists are responsible for evaluating patients with chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, syncope (fainting), high blood pressure, heart murmurs, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), heart failure, congenital heart defects, and other related cardiovascular ailments. They may also perform diagnostic procedures such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, cardiac stress tests, and cardiac catheterizations, as well as provide medical treatment, recommend lifestyle modifications, and perform surgical interventions like angioplasty and stent placements when necessary.