Cardiovascular surgeon
Cardiovascular surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgery of the heart and blood vessels. They generally perform heart surgeries and treat people who have a blockage in the blood vessels leading to the heart (coronary artery disease) or problems with heart valves.
Cardiovascular surgeons may further specialize in treating people of specific age groups, such as pediatric cardiovascular surgeons, who only treat children and often treat heart problems related to birth defects.
Cardiovascular surgeons can be board-certified by the Board of Surgery in general surgery or vascular surgery. The Board of Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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