Here’s a helpful guide to help you understand doctors who specialize in treating the heart. From heart surgeons to cardiologists, the SSM Heart Institute is well-staffed and ready to help you achieve good heart health.
Heart Surgeon
A cardiovascular surgeon performs operations of the heart and blood vessels. There are many different types of operations, including replacement of heart valves or bypasses of blocked coronary arteries. Heart surgeons also perform operations on the blood vessels in your body, including the aorta — the body’s main blood supplier. The surgeons of SSM Heart Institute have earned excellent reputations and perform more than 800 surgeries a year. Find one now.
Cardiologist
A cardiologist is a physician who is certified to treat problems of the cardiovascular system — the heart, arteries and veins. Cardiologists examine and test patients to find out if their symptoms are signs of heart disease. Clinical cardiologists may perform minimally invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Some 100 St. Louis area cardiologists work with SSM Heart Institute. Find one now.
Electrophysiologist (EP)
EPs are cardiologists who specialize in disorders of the heart’s electrical system. They perform diagnostic studies and implant pacemakers and defibrillators to treat patients with heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias). The EPs on staff with SSM Heart Institute perform hundreds of pacemaker placements and cardiovascular defibrillator implants each year. Find one now.
Vascular Surgeon
Vascular surgeons treat patients with disorders of the circulatory system outside the heart, such as peripheral vascular and venous diseases, aneurysms, strokes, carotid disease, and renal failure. SSM vascular surgeons are among the first in Missouri to perform breakthrough procedures including angioplasty of the carotid artery with placement of a carotid stent.