A Career In Cardiology In India

Sumasri
Feb 10, 2023

Introduction

A cardiologist is a doctor of the heart, veins, and arteries. He analyses and deals with cardiovascular or circulatory illnesses and disorders. The need for cardiologists is growing consistently with the rapid increase in cardiovascular diseases around the world. An individual interested in making a career in this field is required to devote 10-13 years of his life to it since becoming one demands years of training beyond an MBBS degree as well as the necessary licensing and board certification.

This article explores a career in the field of cardiology in India. Read on!

Educational Qualifications Required

In India, there are primarily three types of cardiology programs, which are described below:

Degree Courses: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate-level degree programs are available in the field of cardiology. The duration of these programs usually varies from 2 to 5 years.

Diploma Courses: Diploma courses in cardiology are available at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels which may vary from 1 to 6 years.

Certificate Programs: Certificate programs in cardiology are offered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels1. Their duration might range from 2.5 hours to 4 weeks.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE COURSES

Course Name	Duration	Fees
MBBS	5.5 years (including one-year internship)	INR 10,000-6,00,000
B.Sc. in Cardiac Technology/Cardiology	4 years (including a one-year internship)	INR 1000- 4,00,000
B.Sc Cardiovascular Technology	4 years (including one-year internship)	INR 25,000-5,00,000

Source: Collegedunia, Collegedekho

Eligibility for Undergraduate Courses

Students are required to obtain at least 50% marks in 10+2 or any equivalent examination in the science stream (with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as main subjects) from a recognized board.
Students have to clear NEET UG and/or entrance exams conducted by the respective universities (wherever applicable).

UG DIPLOMA COURSE

Course Name	Provider	Duration	Average Fees
Diploma in Cardiology Technician	NRI Medical College (NRIMC)	2 years	INR 54,000
Diploma in Cardiovascular Technician (DCVT)	Rajiv Gandhi Paramedical Institute (RGPI)	2 years	INR 60,000
Diploma in cardiology technician	Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute	1 year	INR 1,06,000

Source: Collegedunia

Eligibility for Undergraduate Diploma Courses

Students must be passed in 10+2 or any equivalent examination in the science stream from any recognized board.
Students are required to clear the test conducted by the respective university (wherever required).

PG DIPLOMA COURSE

Course Name	Duration
Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology	2-4 years
M.Sc.in Cardiological Nursing	2 years
Post Graduate Diploma Community Cardiology (PGDCC)	2-4 years
DNB Cardiothoracic Surgery	3-6 years

Eligibility for Postgraduate Diploma Course

While some PG diploma courses require the basic eligibility as having completed an undergraduate course (with cardiology as a subject) from a recognized university, some others compulsorily require completing an MBBS degree or an equivalent qualification recognized by the MCI (Medical Council of India) or any of the State Medical Council.

Further, some institutes may also conduct an entrance examination for admission to the PG Diploma course or mention any other criteria(s), making it subject to final admission.

CERTIFICATE COURSES

Certificate name	Provider	Duration	Fees	Requirements
Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Computed Tomography	edX	4 weeks	Free (charges only for certificate)
Myocardial Infarction	Coursera	25 hours	Free (charges only for certificate)
Echocardiography for the non-Cardiologist	Udemy	2.5 hours	INR 3,499
Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology	Udemy	9 hours	INR 800	Basic knowledge of biological sciences
Cardiac Care Technician Certification	VIVO Healthcare	1 year		10+2 with Science or ECG Technician
Cardiac Anaesthesia	Seth Gordhandhas Sunderdas Medical College	1 year	INR 10,000	M.D./ D.N.B. in Anesthesia

Source: Official website of respective providers

Postgraduate Degree And Doctoral Courses

Course Name	Duration	Average Fees	Requirements
M.Sc. Cardiology	2 years	INR 5,54,178 - 6,00,000	Bachelor's degree in science from a recognized university with minimum marks as specified by the university
MD Cardiology	3 years	INR 2,000 - 20,00,00	An M.B.B.S or equivalent degree in science.
DM in Cardiology	3 years	INR 5,000 - 10,00,000	MD General Medicine or Paediatrics
M.Ch. in Cardiac Surgery	3-Years	INR 1,00,000- 6,00,000	Postgraduate Degree in MS/DNB
M.Ch. Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery	3 years	INR 10,000- 15,00,000	Master’s degree or Post-graduation (MD or MS) or equivalent degree from a recognized university with minimum 55% aggregate
D.M - Cardiac Anaesthesiology	3 years	INR 1,00,000-2,00,000	M.D. (Anaesthesiology)
D.M - Cardiology	3 years	INR 3,00,000 - 15,00,000	Postgraduate [MD] from the recognized Medical Council of India or any State Medical Councils
Ph.D. - Cardiology	3-5 years	INR 2000 - 2,80,000	Master's degree in either MD or DM or equivalent degree with a minimum aggregate of 55% passed from a recognized university.
M.Ch. Cardiac Surgery	3 years	INR 1,00,000- 6,00,000	Postgraduate Degree in MS/DNB

Source: Collegedunia, Targetstudy

Note: In addition to the requirements mentioned above, the students may be required to clear NEET PG or equivalent examination and/or entrance exam conducted by the respective universities (wherever required). Further, it is important to note that admission into both MD Cardiology and Ph.D. in cardiology is completely merit-based. This is followed by a round of group discussion and personal interview.

Top Cardiology Colleges In India

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER)
Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute
Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH)
Christian Medical College (CMC)
Jawaharlal Institute Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)

Scope Of A Career As A Cardiologist

A cardiologist can work in private as well as government hospitals. He can also choose to be a scientist, researcher in any reputed hospital, or lecturer in a medical college. Apart from this, he can work with cardiac rehabilitation centres or clinics or in the defence or railways sector. One could also sit for the UPSC examination for positions in the civil service after completing a post-graduate degree in cardiology. After gaining substantial years of experience, one can also start a private practice as a cardiologist.

Job Profiles In Cardiology

Job Profiles	Job Description
Cardiac Surgeon	A cardiac surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgery on the heart and the major blood vessels around it. They are also responsible for diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses related to the heart, interpreting tests, and suggesting a cure.
Cardiologist	Cardiologists are physicians who perform duties related to the cardiovascular system. They have extra education and training in preventing, diagnosing, and treating heart conditions.
Cardiothoracic Surgeons	Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in surgeries on most organs and tissues found in the chest. They also conduct medical management and determine methods of surgical procedures.
Invasive Cardiologist	Cardiologists who perform minimally invasive procedures for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases are invasive cardiologists. They also treat arteries and artery blockages.
Cardiovascular Technologist	The duty of the cardiovascular technologist is to support the physician during invasive treatments like cardiac catheterization. They support the early detection and treatment of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Emergency response officers	Emergency response officers (EROs) are doctors who are trained to give first-line treatment in any emergency, in this case, cardiac arrest or heart failure.
Scientists (cardiology)	They conduct in-depth research on cardiac health and novel treatment protocols.
Professor of cardiology	Ph.D. holders in cardiology and expert practitioners who teach MBBS and MD students in medical colleges.
Junior Resident (Cardiology)	A junior resident in cardiology is in charge of performing non-invasive diagnostic tests on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems to identify and treat diseases of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Senior Resident (Cardiology)	A senior resident is responsible for performing electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, Holter monitors, trans-oesophageal echocardiogram exercises, stress testing, and dobutamine stress testing.
Technical Assistant	A Technical Assistant is primarily responsible for providing technical and equipment-based assistance in heart treatments.

Skills Required

Teamwork
Technical knowledge
Communication
Problem-solving
Cognitive abilities
Compassion and listening ability
Self- Confidence
Good Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Time management
Analytical skills
Patience
Ability to take decisions in life-threatening situations

Expected Salary And Remuneration

Job Profiles	Average Salary
Cardiac Surgeon	INR 2,88,000
Cardiologist	INR 1,71,000
Cardiothoracic Surgeons	INR 1,00,000
Invasive Cardiologist	INR 8,12,000
Cardiovascular Technologist	INR 2,82,000
Emergency response officers	INR 1,08,000
Junior Resident (Cardiology)	INR 2,46,000- 3,00,000
Senior Resistant (Cardiology)	INR 3,00,000- 3,50,000
Technical Assistant	INR 3,50,000- 4,00,000

Source: Collegedunia, Ambitionbox

Top Entities Hiring For This Job

Indian Council of Medical Research
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science)
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
Medanta, The Medicity
Apollo Hospitals
Jaypee Hospital
Max Healthcare Hospitals

Conclusion

Even though a highly competitive and challenging field of medicine, cardiology is a fulfilling and rewarding career option for those candidates who are hardworking, capable, and passionate about treating heart patients. Moreover, there is a lot of scope in this particular field from the income point of view as well, especially when one gains substantial years of experience.

Medbots.in wishes you all the best!