How to Become a Cardiologist?
Ate a lot of sweets
Heart skipped some beats?
Might seem bittersweet
Cause I'll cure it.
Yes, I am a Cardiologist. Heart conditions can arise due to a lot of reasons and you'll need a cardiac specialist to diagnose, monitor and treat them. If you are curious about how to become a heart specialist, look no more. Here we are providing all the answers to the question- How to become a Cardiologist after 12th standard?
Who is a Cardiologist?
Cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in treating heart diseases and other cardiac complications. They prevent and diagnose medical conditions of the heart and help patients live with a healthier heart. A Cardiologist treats congenital heart defects, valvular heart diseases, heart failure, etc. among many other cardiac malfunctions.
Duties of a Cardiologist:
The various tasks a cardiologist performs in his everyday career is mentioned below.
- Examine patients and make assessments of their health conditions.
- Conducts tests to determine the best treatment options.
- Prescribe medicines for a healthier heart.
- Accurate management of patient records and charts.
- Ensure the rules and regulations are adhered to properly.
- Measure and track the improvements in the patient's health.
How to Become a Cardiologist?
Anyone willing to pursue a career as a Cardiologist needs to clear the following exams:
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate Courses (NEET UG)
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate Courses (NEET PG)
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Speciality Courses (NEET SS)
NEET exams are mandatory for any student who wants to pursue any course in medical sciences. These exams are held every year by different national-level conducting bodies. The complete journey towards becoming a Cardiologist takes about 12 years, wherein you start with MBBS for 5.5 years, followed by an MD for 3 years and DM for 3 years.
Required Skills for a Cardiologist:
Certain sets of skills are considered prerequisites for someone who wants to know how to become a heart specialist. Those skills are mentioned below.
- Analytical Judgement Skills
- Complex Problem Solving Skills
- Compassion
- Self-Confidence
- Dexterity
- Teamwork
- Attention to Details
- Written and Verbal Communication Skills
Eligibility Criteria for a Cardiologist:
Mentioned below is the eligibility criteria for the different courses that you need to become a Cardiologist in India:
- To pursue an MBBS degree, first you should complete 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. Then you have to secure the required rank in NEET UG to seek admission in MBBS colleges.
- After completion of MBBS, you have to complete a 3-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) course in General Medicine. To get admission for MD course, you have to secure at least 50% aggregate marks in MBBS and clear NEET PG.
- Next, you should complete the 3-year Doctorate of Medicine (DM) course in Cardiology by clearing NEET SS.
Candidates need to apply for a license from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to practice as a Cardiologist in India. In the above-mentioned courses, the curriculum requires the student to combine skills in both academics and research to work in real-time health settings. Some of the topics covered in the course syllabus are:
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Disorders
- Tumours of Heart
- Echocardiography
- Systemic Hypertension
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Geriatric Heart Disease
Top Colleges in India to Pursue Cardiology:
You must specialize in Cardiology from the best colleges in India. The top 7 Cardiology colleges in the country are mentioned below:
| S.no | College Name & Location |
| 1 | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi |
| 2 | Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh |
| 3 | Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore |
| 4 | Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow |
| 5 | Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal |
| 6 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry |
| 7 | King's George Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow |
Scope of a Cardiologist in India:
After learning about how to become a Cardiologist after 12th standard, you might want to explore the Cardiologist's scope in India. The scope of a career as a Cardiologist is growing at a rapid rate. It is a tough but rewarding path with lucrative opportunities all over the world. The job market scenario for a Cardiologist is bright with numerous possibilities in both public and private sectors.
Cardiologist Salary in India:
The Cardiologist salary in India is indubitably among the highest salaries in India, and it depends on the experience and fame of the practitioner. It can reach as high as INR 50,00,000 per year. The salary of a Cardiologist ranges from INR 80,000 to 1,00,000 per month in the government sector, along with other perks and allowance. In the private sector, the average monthly salary of a Cardiologist can go up to INR 1,50,000. The salary can be several times higher for eminent cardiologists working in their clinics or health centres.
Conclusion:
The path to becoming a Cardiologist is long yet rewarding where you can make a huge impact on the life of your patients. In critical cases, you can even make a difference between life and death. Anyone who has the passion and patience to achieve this lucrative career has a beaming future ahead of them.
