| SIC Codes: | 8011 |
| NAICS Codes: | 621111 |
Companies in this industry are engaged in diagnosing and treating disorders of the heart and blood vessels, which make up the cardiovascular system. Cardiologists operate through office-based private practices, health care organizations, and hospitals, as well as part of academic, government, or research institutions; no major companies dominate the industry.
Demand for cardiology services is driven by demographics, changes in health insurance regulations, and the obesity rate. The profitability of individual practices depends on the reputation and expertise of the cardiologist and staff. Large practices have advantages in leveraging administrative processes and expensive diagnostic equipment and are more likely to accept Medicare and Medicaid than smaller practices. Small practices can compete effectively by providing good customer service. Cardiologists compete against general practitioners and other physicians that diagnose and manage cardiovascular conditions; cardiologists may also have direct competitors in the immediate geographic area.
Cardiologists diagnose, treat, and work to prevent disorders affecting the heart and circulatory system through interventional and nonsurgical techniques, as well as medication. Many cardiology doctors are general cardiologists, while others provide more specialized services. Interventional cardiology involves nonsurgical techniques such as angioplasty; pediatric cardiology diagnoses and treats heart problems in children; electrophysiology (EP) cardiology addresses heart rhythm disorders; and nuclear cardiologists perform and interpret thallium stress tests and other perfusion studies. A cardiovascular surgeon specializes in operations on the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.