What is the difference between Cardiology, Cardiovascular Technology, Echo Cardiology (Echocardiography) and Cardiac Technology?

Field

Medical Specialty

Allied Health Profession

Subspecialty of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Technology

Allied Health Profession

What it is

• Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart diseases.

• Cardiologists are medical doctors (MBBS + MD/MS + DM Cardiology) who perform procedures like angioplasty, pacemaker insertion, and heart surgery.

• Cardiovascular Technology involves operating diagnostic equipment like ECG machines, stress tests, and catheterization labs to assist cardiologists.

• Technologists are responsible for handling equipment during heart procedures like angioplasty and cardiac catheterization.

• Echo Cardiology focuses on using ultrasound technology (Echocardiography) to create images of the heart.

• These images help diagnose heart valve diseases, congenital defects, and blood flow abnormalities.

• Cardiac Care Technology focuses on the monitoring and care of patients in Intensive Cardiac Care Units (ICCU/CCU).

• Technicians manage heart monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps to ensure patients' vitals remain stable.

Role

• Diagnose heart diseases (e.g., heart attack, arrhythmia, heart failure).

• Prescribe medications and lifestyle changes.

• Perform advanced medical procedures (angiography, stent placement).

• Operate and maintain ECG, ECHO, and Holter monitors.

• Assist cardiologists during cardiac surgeries and catheterization.

• Perform diagnostic tests like stress tests and Doppler studies.

• Perform Echocardiograms (ECHO) to assess heart structure and function.

• Assist doctors in diagnosing heart conditions using ultrasound.

• Handle equipment like Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) machines.

• Monitor patients' heart rhythms, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.

• Operate ICCU equipment like ventilators and cardiac monitors.

• Assist doctors in emergency heart care situations.