Cardiologists in North Carolina

How to choose a cardiologist

A cardiologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the heart and blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms and valve problems. Most people see one after a referral from their primary care doctor, but many practices also accept self-referred patients.

Start with the kind of heart care you need. Cardiology has subspecialties, and the right fit depends on your condition:

• General cardiologists handle most needs: chest pain workups, blood pressure that's hard to control, cholesterol, palpitations and follow-up after a heart event.
• Interventional cardiologists perform procedures through the blood vessels, such as stents and angioplasty.
• Electrophysiologists specialize in heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation, and implant pacemakers and defibrillators.
• Heart failure specialists manage advanced heart failure, including medication plans and devices.

If you're not sure, a general cardiologist is the right first stop. They'll refer you on if you need a subspecialist.

Check credentials. Board certification in cardiovascular disease shows a doctor has completed specialty training and passed a certification exam. You can look up any doctor's certification for free on the American Board of Internal Medicine website [1]. Our listings show the credentials doctors report in the federal NPI registry, but we don't verify board certification.

Confirm insurance before you book. Practices change the plans they accept, so call the office or check your insurer's directory. If you have an HMO plan, you'll usually need a referral from your primary care doctor first. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary specialist visits; you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible [3].

Think about location and hospital ties. Many cardiologists work in groups linked to a hospital system. If you may need tests or a procedure, a practice tied to a nearby hospital can keep your care in one place. Ask where they do stress tests, echocardiograms and catheterizations.

Ask about wait times and telehealth. New-patient waits for cardiology can run weeks. Ask whether there's a cancellation list, and whether follow-up visits can be done by video.

Know when not to wait. Chest pain, pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, or sudden weakness or trouble speaking need emergency care, not an appointment. Call 911 [2].